Southwest Hit With $140 Million Penalty for 2022 Holiday Meltdown as It Prepares for Next Christmas Weekend

Southwest Airlines faces a civil penalty totaling $140 million after the U.S. Department of Transportation said the airline violated consumer protection laws during its holiday meltdown last year. 

The penalty, which the agency said is 30 times larger than any it has levied for consumer protection violations, includes a $35 million payment directly to the government.