Southwest cancels 363 more flights on Monday as it apologizes to frustrated passengers after a weekend with more than 1,800 cancellations - citing weather as one cause for the

• Thousands of stranded passengers waited hours on line at Southwest terminal in Denver on Monday morning 
• More than 240 Southwest flights were canceled from Denver International Airport alone over the weekend 
• Southwest on Monday has canceled more than 360 flights and delayed 970 more, FlightAware reported 
• Over the weekend, Dallas-based firm canceled 1,800 flights it said was caused by weather, staffing issues 
• Southwest pilots union denies its members walked out on the job to protest federal vaccine mandate 
• Federal Aviation Administration denies claims air traffic control workers staged 'mass sickout' in Jacksonville 
• Southwest was the only airline that had mass cancellations, according to the latest flight data 
• Company president told staffers that the airline has continued to struggle to fill job vacancies 
• Furious Southwest passengers posted photos of stranded travelers sleeping on floors of airport terminals
• Others posted screenshots showing that they waited more than eight hours to speak to customer service 

Southwest Airlines apologized Monday - even as it canceled about 360 more flights and delayed 970 others - for a disastrous weekend of service disruptions with 1,800 cancellations amid a staunch denial from its pilots that they had walked out over the new COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The airline said Monday the problems were 'created by weather and other external constraints, which left aircraft and Crews out of pre-planned positions to operate our schedule on Saturday'. 

The problems 'cascaded throughout the weekend and into Monday,' the statement said.

Southwest Airlines President Mike Van de Ven told employees late on Sunday that he expected Monday to be 'more normal' than the weekend, when staffing shortages forced the company to cancel nearly 2,000 flights nationwide. 

But long lines of stranded passengers formed inside the Southwest terminal at Denver International Airport before dawn on Monday. The scenes were similar to those from August, when frustrated passengers were left stranded at airports after Spirit and American Airlines canceled more than 670 flights over the course of three days.

Van de Ven told workers the airline was working to develop a plan to address several shortcomings, including tight staffing on weekends as well as chronic delays and cancellations, according to The Wall Street Journal.  

Since lockdowns were lifted and air travel resumed, airlines have had trouble meeting the higher-than-expected demand, particularly after furloughing tens of thousands of workers during the pandemic. As Americans resume air travel, airlines have had to play catch up while struggling to fill manpower shortages. 

'We are still not where we want to be with staffing, and in particular with our flight crews,' he said in a video message to his company. 'We simply need more staffing cushion for the unexpected in this environment and we are bringing new people onboard every day.' 

Van de Ven said in the message that Southwest 'already made significant reductions from our previously published November and December schedules, and if we think we need to do more, we will.'

'A tremendous apology to our customers and employees': Southwest says Monday that it's 'working diligently to restore stability to the network'

Southwest Airlines provided a statement to DailyMail.com which read: 'Southwest Airlines extends a tremendous apology to our Customers and Employees for the flight cancellations and delays which occurred over the weekend and on Monday.

'On Friday evening, the airline ended the day with numerous cancellations, primarily created by weather and other external constraints, which left aircraft and Crews out of pre-planned positions to operate our schedule on Saturday. 

'Unfortunately, the out-of-place aircraft and continued strain on our Crew resources created additional cancelations across our point-to-point network that cascaded throughout the weekend and into Monday.

'While we do not have specific airport numbers to share, Southwest Teams have been working diligently to restore stability to the network, and we are experiencing less disruptions on Monday. 

'We hope to restore our full schedule as soon as possible. 

'As a note, the operational challenges were not a result of Southwest Employee demonstrations, as some outlets are reporting.

'To every Customer that experienced a cancellation or delay, Southwest offers our sincerest regret regarding disrupted travel plans, and we look forward to a future opportunity to demonstrate our safe, reliable, friendly, and legendary Southwest Hospitality – something that Customers should always expect from Southwest Airlines.' 

ADVERTISEMENT

Alan Kasher, Southwest’s executive vice president of daily operations, said the airline was staffed for the weekend but got tripped up by air-traffic control issues and bad weather in Florida, and couldn’t recover quickly. 

Because of cutbacks during the pandemic, he noted the airline has fewer flights to accommodate stranded passengers.

Last Monday, Southwest Airlines became the latest US airline to require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, in line with President Joe Biden's COVID plan. One analyst said a possible reason for the weekend outages may be a work slowdown by pilots who oppose the mandate. 

Southwest said the delays were not a result of dissatisfaction the vaccine rule. 'The weekend challenges were not a result of Southwest employee demonstrations,' said airline spokesman Chris Mainz. 

The pilots union also denied it was part of a job action. Instead, the president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association told News4Jax that staffing and a 'poorly run operation' were to blame for the delays. 

'SWAPA is aware of operational difficulties affecting Southwest Airlines today due to a number of issues, but we can say with confidence that our Pilots are not participating in any official or unofficial job actions,' a press release  by the union said.  

The Federal Aviation Administration also denied reports of a 'mass sickout' at the air traffic control center at Jacksonville International Airport, which was said to have affected Southwest.  

Also, in a statement to DailyMail.com, the FAA said: 'No FAA air traffic staffing shortages have been reported since Friday.

'Flight delays and cancellations occurred for a few hours Friday afternoon due to widespread severe weather, military training, and limited staffing in one area of the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center.

'Some airlines continue to experience scheduling challenges due to aircraft and crews being out of place. 

On Sunday, Jacksonville Aviation Authority COO Tony Cugno said that the delays were in fact due to staffing issues at the Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) on Friday. 

He claimed that many controllers had been getting their first or second COVID-19 vaccinations, which required them to take two days off to recover - leaving JAX air control short staffed.    

In a letter, obtained by ActionNewsJax, he said: 'A rumor is circulating in traditional and social, media outlets stating JAX Center was closed due to an organized walkout late Friday by controllers in response to the FAA's mandate that all employees get vaccinated for COVID.

'A contact at FFAA confirmed they did have some staffing issues at JAX center last Friday, however, those staffing issued were due to the following: Normal approved leave (and) controllers who received either their first or second dose of the vaccine and by policy are required to stay home for 48 hours to self monitor for side effects ... thus creating some staffing issues.'  

In August, Southwest announced that it would be cutting the number of flights in the fall after operational failures hampered its service in the summer. The company said that it would trim its daily schedule from September 7 to October 6 by 27 flights per day. Between October 7 and November 5, Southwest plans to cut 162 daily flights from its schedule. More flight cuts are planned for November and December, though the company pledged to protect holiday bookings. 

The world's largest low-cost carrier canceled more than 140 flights on Sunday out of DIA alone. On Saturday, 102 Southwest flights originating in Denver were canceled while 160 were delayed.

The Dallas-based airline was the only airline to report such large-scale issues over the weekend. American Airlines, for example, canceled just two percent of its flights while Spirit Airlines axed two percent of theirs, according to FlightAware. 

Thousands have waited at the Southwest terminal in Denver since Sunday. Some customers waited in line for hours only to be told at the check-in counter that the earliest flights out of the Mile High City would be Wednesday, according to KUSA-TV. 

'I started looking through (online) and there is just nothing, nothing, nothing for the next few days,' Ainsley Parfitt, who flew to Denver from Florida this past weekend to shop for a wedding dress with her future sister-in-law, said.

Parfitt received a text message indicating that her flight back to Florida, which was scheduled for Sunday, was canceled. She and other stranded passengers waited on hold for hours trying to book tickets through other airlines. 

'I have been on the phone since 4:30am this morning on hold, waiting for somebody to answer. I am still waiting,' said Jeff Coles, a doctor who is trying to get home in time to see patients on Monday. 

'There is nothing available at any price point today, tomorrow or Tuesday.' 

Southwest has either reimbursed stranded customers whose flights were canceled or provided $200 vouchers for those who rebooked, but frustrated passengers said that if they need to stay at hotels and rent cars for longer periods of time, the vouchers won't cover their expenses. 

'We’ve continued diligent work throughout the weekend to reset our operation with a focus on getting aircraft and Crews repositioned to take care of our Customers,' Southwest said in a statement. 

'And we're working diligently to accommodate our Customers as quickly as possible, and we are grateful for their patience. 

'We're offering Customers added flexibility to explore self-service rebooking options on, where they can get updates on the status of their travel.'  

Southwest had canceled some 20 flights - or 10 percent of its schedule for Monday - from Orlando, according to Orlando International Airport.  

According to Flightaware, the carrier canceled 363 flights Monday and delayed another 773 flights. Most of the cancellations and delays affected airports with a large Southwest presence, including Denver, Dallas, Baltimore, Houston, Las Vegas, and Chicago.

'I got to do something. I didn't come here to stay, just to visit,' Nathan Hurst, a Southwest passenger stranded at Indianapolis International Airport, told WTHR-TV. 

'We were both just sitting at the gate getting ready to board our flight, and they canceled it,' said Michele Wickman, another stranded passenger in Indianapolis.   

Kate Peifer told CNN she had to rent a car and drive 900 miles after Southwest canceled the second part of her flight on Sunday.

She was at LaGuardia Airport in New York and traveling back to Phoenix.

'I am on my way to my final destination,' Peifer told CNN. 'We were forced to rent a car and drive 900 miles home.' 

Passengers took to social media to upload photos and post complaints about the difficult experiences at airports.

One Twitter user who identified as 'Sierra' tweeted that they were on their way home to Dallas from Las Vegas and had to endure three delays before arriving at Love Field.

After arriving in Dallas, Sierra observed that 'hundreds of people' were at the terminal 'without flights, food or lodging and that they were 'stuck in the airport this evening.' 

Another Twitter user who goes by the handle 'Sonoran Trail Davis' posted a photo showing a man lying down on the floor inside an airport terminal in Nashville. The man is using what appears to be a small fanny pack as a pillow. There's a t-shirt covering the man's face.

'Thanks Southwest Air! Love spending the entire day at Nashville's airport,' the Twitter user wrote.    

'Keep standing up for what you believe in while I lay on the scraggly carpet instead of seeing my dogs.' 

The Twitter user added: 'Looking forward to taking a bus from Las Vegas to Phoenix tomorrow. Great work team!' 

Frank Spicher tweeted a photo of a 'baggage graveyard' in Baltimore. The photo showed what appear to be hundreds of abandoned suitcases inside the baggage claim at Baltimore Washington International. 

Others took to social media to post their observations from airports affected by the mass cancellations.

Kurt Taylor tweeted: 'Our flight to Chicago on American was canceled and the same with the flight to Dallas at the adjoining gate. 5pm yesterday. 

'Heading to airport now for our rebooked flight. Sure hope we make it out.'

Another Twitter user wrote: 'Flying home from Chicago (Midway) on Delta today. Got to the airport early because of the Southwest mess. 

'One with issues means the others scramble to accommodate passengers.'

Andrew Capasso tweeted that two morning flights were canceled from Tucson.

A Twitter user who goes by the handle 'Nathalie' tweeted: 'I spent HOURS in the Chicago Midway airport. I watched one young man, probably college-aged, anxiously watch the happenings at our gate. 

'Then, he called his parents and promised to pay them back the $300 for his flight if they came and picked him up. 

'He was crying as he spoke.'

Kirk Cresto tweeted: 'I took quite a bit of time to pause and walk through the Chicago (Midway) Airport last night and listen to the conversations. So so much emotional human pain. 

'Weddings and funerals being missed, family gatherings, family vacations, loved ones on death beds & no help.' 

Another Twitter user, Deanna, reported that she was stranded at the Chicago airport for 'almost a day.'

She said she had to wait in line for eight hours before finally making it back home to California. Four of her flights were canceled.

'I made it home to California with no idea where my luggage is,' she wrote. 'It was a total mess! The SW employee who were there said it was because of the mandates.' 

Another frustrated passenger tweeted at Southwest: 'Canceled my flight and you rebooked me for a flight 27 hours later. 

'I now have another night in hotel plus transportation to airport since my rides flight wasn't canceled by United. 

'How do I get reimbursed? No ATC or weather issue in Chicago or Denver. We deserve the truth SW!' 

Another Twitter user wrote: 'Yes. Southwest is a disaster! I am stuck in Nashville. 

'They canceled my flight to Chicago at 5:00 this morning. 4 hour+ wait time on the phone, lines at the airport to try and rebook 2.5 hours! 

'No guarantee that your rebook flight will not be cancelled too!' 

Twitter user Anthony Anaya posted a screenshot of his phone showing that he was waiting on hold for more than two hours and 17 minutes while trying to get through to a customer service representative for Southwest. 

Angry customers inundated Southwest's Twitter feed with complaints about the cancellations.

Brian Staab tweeted: 'Very disappointed in Southwest Airlines. 

'We’re missing our daughters college game because you struggle to be the reliable airlines you use to be. 

'Over 2 hour wait times with customer service; no online solutions/options. 

'Southwest to Southlate to simply don’t bother.'  

Jason Pinkley tweeted: 'This is a cluster. 

'Connecting flight to DAL cancelled as we’re mid-flight on the first leg of our trip home. 

'Using the excuse that it’s because weather is moving into Dallas is the biggest bag of crap. 

'Other flights going into DAL from DEN.' 

Justin Johnson tweeted a photo from inside a Southwest passenger plane set to take off from Burbank, California.

'Sitting on Southwest 2919 in Burbank, at the gate, doors open for an hour,' tweeted Johnson.   

'Connecting flights have been canceled, so we’re rebooking the affected passengers while the other 160 people on this plane sit here with our thumbs up our butt?'

Another frustrated Southwest customer tweeted from Orlando International Airport

'I've been in this line for 2 hours at MCO,' tweeted 'Norra the Explorer'.

'My flight was canceled 3 times now. I knew I shouldn’t have checked in my bags. Y'all are killing me @SouthwestAir.

'I literally have always spoken so highly of your airline. I’m so disappointed.'  

Another stranded Southwest passenger, Becca Kostyo, posted a screenshot showing that she had waited more than eight hours to speak to a Southwest customer service representative. 

'I’m not really sure what to do, as I need to speak to someone about my canceled flight and lost bag,' Kostyo tweeted. 

'Any suggestions, Southwest?' 

Marye Cory, who was due to fly from Oklahoma City to Orlando on Sunday morning for a cruise trip, also tweeted a similar screenshot of her phone indicating that she was put on hold for nearly eight hours after she was informed her flight had been canceled.

'Is there another way to get my refund? I’ve been on hold nearly 8 hours, while my husband went to our airport,' Cory tweeted.

'I only need it for our departing flight, which I tried to reschedule but nothing was available.

'I had to book with United.' 

Cory spent more than $400 and used 20,000 credit card points on a United flight that will take off on the morning of her cruise. She also lost money on an Airbnb that she booked in Orlando and had to rearrange child care. 

'I've flown with Southwest over 200 times and I've always been very happy with their customer service,' Cory told ABC 7 TV in Chicago. 

'I hope they sort this out.' 

Nora Kennedy tweeted an image showing the arrival and departure boards at Orlando International Airport.

'Strange how the ATC (air traffic control) issues and weather are still only affecting your airline at MCO,' Kennedy tweeted.

'Must be some crazy storms if they're only targeting your planes.'

Ashley Sharp tweeted a screenshot of her canceled reservation for a Southwest flight that was supposed to take her from Seattle-Tacoma to Sacramento on Sunday.

She tweeted: '2 flights were cancelled for me yesterday out of Seattle and 1 this morning

@SouthwestAir you need to do better.

'When I called it said the wait time for customer service was OVER 2 hours!!!

'And when I used the app as suggested it told me my flight was not eligible for change!!!!' 

Justin Langfeldt tweeted a photo from a Southwest gate at an unspecified airport. It showed one Southwest employee behind the counter as a long line of passengers formed in front of her.

'Thousands of families delayed, hundreds in line.... Southwest only has one employee helping???' Langfeldt tweeted.

Denise Carbone tweeted: 'Missed out Disney vacation...Received our flight cancellation on our way to Chicago MDW (Midway International Airport) and now can't cancel the return flight from your site.'

Carbone added a 'thumbs down' emoji. She then wrote: 'This was my first bad experience with your airline after many years of being a loyal customer.' She ended the tweet with the hashtag #disappoitned.  

Passengers have taken to social media to accuse Southwest competitors, including American Airlines, of price gouging after reports that flights out of Dallas were costing upwards of $1,700 per ticket. 

Last week, Southwest became the latest airline to announce it was imposing a vaccine mandate on its staff. 

The company said its 54,000 workers must be fully vaccinated by December 8 or they will lose their jobs. Medical and religious exceptions may be sought. 

Senator Ted Cruz blamed what he called the 'illegal vaccine mandate' for the mass flight cancellations. 

Cruz took to Twitter on Sunday to share an article on the nearly 2,000 cancellations by the airline, writing: 'Joe Biden's illegal mask mandate at work!

'Suddenly, we're short on pilots & air traffic controllers.' 

Last week, like Southwest, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue also announced their own vaccine mandates.

United Airlines announced its mandate in August for its 67,000 staff. Since then, more than 97 per cent of  workers have been vaccinated. 

Last month, nearly 600 United employees faced termination for refusing to get vaccinated but last week, the airline said that figure had dropped to 320. 

The 2,000 United employees who sought religious or medical exceptions will be placed on temporary unpaid leave.

Delta Air Lines has not yet mandated vaccines for its staff of about 80,000 people. 

The cancellations came two days after the firm's pilots' union asked a court to block a COVID vaccine mandate, sparking rumors that a pilot walk-out had been to blame for the cancellations.

The association, which represents nearly 10,000 pilots, in a court filing demanded the airline 'cease and desist' the mandate rollout without first reaching an agreement with the union.   

Passengers took to Twitter to speculate over the vaccine lawsuit after rivals axed far fewer flights; American Airlines canceled 63 flights Sunday, while United canceled nine trips. 

'This has nothing to do with weather,' said one Twitter user. 'Thanks for ruining our week with our grandkids.

'At least admit it was due to selfish pilots.'

'Disappointed in southwest,' another wrote. 'Don't lie about weather and cancellations. Have been a big fan... hard to be today with late flight cancelled'.

Others were less concerned about the cause of the cancellations, than frustrated about an apparent lack of communication from the airline.     

'I understand that the delays and cancellations are out of your control but we did not receive any notification that my flight had been cancelled from philly. I only found out after I checked to make sure my flight was on time,' a 'long time customer' wrote on Twitter. 

'4 little kids sleeping on the floor of #mco because @SouthwestAirlines lied to us all day & night and then didn't even have the decency to throw us a blanket. #SouthwestAirlines Will be a miracle if we leave here without #COVID19'. 

In August, Spirit and American canceled hundreds of flights over the course of a weekend, leaving many passengers stranded in airports.

An expert observer of the travel industry says that the delays and cancellations are caused by a combination of factors.

The airlines didn't foresee the high level of demand for travel. They have also had to scramble to add more staff after either laying off or furloughing thousands during the pandemic.