Post all SW questions concerns, etc. here...

[FreeTime]

Flights DO get overbooked to cover for anticipated no shows, etc. This is one of the reasons you hear offers at the gate to take another flight for $X.

In this particular case I would guess that they combined flights and there is an overage on the estimated no shows, deadheads, etc as a result.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Flights DO get overbooked to cover for anticipated no shows, etc. This is one of the reasons you hear offers at the gate to take another flight for $X.

In this particular case I would guess that they combined flights and there is an overage on the estimated no shows, deadheads, etc as a result.

No,SWA announced years back (2017) they stopped that practice. There's a difference in intentionally doing this during the booking because you anticipate some no-shows as a practice which is what other airlines would do.

For SWA If they have an aircraft change which reduces the number of seats, if they have too much weight anticipated for that flight and they need to reduce it they will do the vouchers (these are reasons listed on their website). You also have situations like a cancelation day of which causes standby on other flights thus too many people and not enough seats.

 

[FreeTime]

No,SWA announced years back (2017) they stopped that practice. There's a difference in intentionally doing this during the booking because you anticipate some no-shows as a practice which is what other airlines would do.

For SWA If they have an aircraft change which reduces the number of seats, if they have too much weight anticipated for that flight and they need to reduce it they will do the vouchers (these are reasons listed on their website). You also have situations like a cancelation day of which causes standby on other flights thus too many people and not enough seats.

I understand they have reversed this in recent years. From their site, aircraft changes and overselling can occur.

“Operational situations (such as weight restrictions and aircraft type changes) may result in a flight being over capacity.

In the event of an oversale, we will solicit for volunteers who are willing to travel on another flight in exchange for a Southwest LUV Voucher®. You can use Southwest LUV Vouchers for travel purchased through Southwest®, excluding Group Travel Services and Southwest Vacations®. Southwest LUV Vouchers are transferable. Travel booked with a Southwest LUV Voucher must be completed no later than 12 months after the date the voucher was issued.”

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I understand they have reversed this in recent years. From their site, aircraft changes and overselling can occur.

“Operational situations (such as weight restrictions and aircraft type changes) may result in a flight being over capacity.

In the event of an oversale, we will solicit for volunteers who are willing to travel on another flight in exchange for a Southwest LUV Voucher®. You can use Southwest LUV Vouchers for travel purchased through Southwest®, excluding Group Travel Services and Southwest Vacations®. Southwest LUV Vouchers are transferable. Travel booked with a Southwest LUV Voucher must be completed no later than 12 months after the date the voucher was issued.”

No they didn't reverse the change. You're talking about two different airline industry practices. They don't use anticipation of X number of no-shows like you said. Other airlines do. There are times where they have too many passengers for the seats they have, it's not for the reason you initially stated. And yes in your above comment you're just repeating what I said twice already....weight and aircraft change (neither of which is overselling which is what you just mentioned).