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CNN
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Many Southwest customers are desperate for anything and everything that brings them home. But some passengers are horrified that other airlines will post last-minute flights to their destinations, which can cost thousands of dollars.
United Airlines and American Airlines say they have a solution. Airlines will set price caps on travel to and from certain cities, the two companies told CNN.
American Airlines didn’t specifically mention Southwest Airlines, but hinted that the price cap was designed to help the collapsed airline’s customers get home.
An American Airlines spokesperson told CNN that price caps will vary by location in areas affected by cancellations. Southwest did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
American Airlines notified customers about the price cap in a series of tweets directed at people who posted screenshots of their $1,000 flight.
single traveler Posted Screenshot showing flights from San Diego to Orlando with fares over $2,000 on American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. A passenger was trying to rebook a canceled Southwest Airlines flight.
“We are doing our part to help people get where they need to be and capping fares in some cities,” American Airlines tweeted.
another murmured Seeking help with American Airlines flight delays and no rebooking options (add #southwestdebacle hashtag).
“DM with your booking code and we’ll be happy to review available options,” American replied.
United Airlines has also said it will cap fares on some routes operated by Southwest Airlines.
The cap is in effect through Saturday and applies to many markets in the US and Latin America that Southwest also serves. United spokesman Josh Freed was unable to immediately specify the amount of the cap.
Fried told CNN, “In order to get people to their destinations as safely and quickly as possible during the busy holiday season, the latest efforts include capping fares in some cities so that as many customers as possible can reach their destinations. It includes making flights available.”
The price cap could be a welcome relief for stranded Southwest Airlines passengers across the country.
Southwest Airlines canceled 2,507 flights on Wednesday, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. Airlines canceled 2,694 flights on Tuesday and 2,348 flights have already been canceled on Thursday.
To make the travel nightmare worse, Southwest Airlines has a policy of not rebooking customers on rival airlines. Southwest does not have interline agreements with other airlines that allow agents to rebook passengers on another airline, limiting options for stranded passengers.
A spokesperson for the company said, “Southwest Airlines is unique in the industry in not having a codeshare partner. It’s just part of our business model.”
In a video statement Tuesday, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said he was “really sorry” to disgruntled customers. He blamed the record-breaking cold for complicating flight paths.[A]After trying to get as much of our schedule as possible over a busy holiday weekend, we reached a decision point where we significantly reduced our flights to catch up. ”
Southwest is the nation’s largest airline and the largest in 23 of the top 25 travel markets in the United States, according to the company.
– CNN’s Kate Trafecante and Greg Wallace contributed to this report
