Southwest Airlines Cuts Service and Reduces Staffing at Atlanta Hub

Southwest Airlines is set to reduce its service to and from Atlanta, the world’s busiest airport, as part of a strategic shift aimed at cutting costs and improving profitability. According to a company memo reviewed by CNBC, the airline plans to eliminate over 300 pilot and flight attendant positions. However, the airline clarified that it is not laying off staff; instead, those affected will need to bid for positions in other cities.

The announcement comes just before Southwest’s investor day, where executives are expected to outline the airline’s plans to navigate financial pressures, including those from activist investor Elliott Investment Management. While Southwest is not closing its crew base in Atlanta, the airline will reduce its staffing levels by approximately 200 flight attendants and 140 pilots starting in April 2025.

In addition to staffing reductions, Southwest will decrease its presence at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, cutting back from 18 gates to 11. The airline will service only 21 cities from Atlanta starting in April, a significant drop from the 37 cities it serviced as of March.

In the memo, Southwest stated, “Although we try everything we can before making difficult decisions like this one, we simply cannot afford continued losses and must make this change to help restore our profitability. This decision in no way reflects our Employees’ performance, and we’re proud of the hospitality and efforts they have made and will continue to make with our customers in ATL.”

However, this decision has drawn criticism from unions representing Southwest’s pilots and flight attendants. Bill Bernal, president of the flight attendants’ union, expressed discontent, stating, “Southwest Airlines management is failing employees while impacting customers. Management continues to make decisions that lack full transparency and sufficient communication with union leadership, and most alarmingly, a lack of focus on what has made the airline great—the employees.”

A Southwest spokesperson confirmed the service changes, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to optimizing its network in response to customer demand, fleet utilization, and revenue opportunities. The airline has previously exited certain airports that were less profitable, focusing on routes that better align with its financial goals.

Southwest Airlines is also grappling with shifts in booking patterns and an oversupplied market in parts of the U.S. Additionally, the airline is facing aircraft delays from Boeing, specifically regarding the certification of its 737 Max 7 airplanes, which have been significantly delayed.

COO Andrew Watterson informed staff that “difficult decisions” must be made to boost profits as the airline navigates these challenges. The reduction of service in Atlanta, Delta Air Lines’ home hub, marks a significant shift for Southwest.

In July, the airline announced plans to eliminate open seating and offer extra legroom, signifying the largest operational changes in its over 50 years of service. On a positive note, Southwest recently released an expanded schedule for tickets through June 4, which includes increased service to Nashville, Tennessee, and new overnight flights from Hawaii, commencing April 8. These new routes will connect Honolulu to Las Vegas and Phoenix, as well as Kona and Maui to Las Vegas and Phoenix, offering more options for travelers.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnbc.com