2022 Southwest Airlines scheduling crisis

This incident is notable for being the largest and most costly operational disruption in the history of U.S. airlines. The crisis was primarily attributed to the airline's outdated scheduling software, which could not efficiently reassign crews and aircraft after initial winter weather disruptions. The scale of the failure prompted scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Transportation and led to widespread criticism of the company's infrastructure.

While the 2022 meltdown itself is a historical event, airline operational resilience and passenger rights remain relevant topics in recent news. General reports on airline IT outages and subsequent federal legislation for enhanced consumer protections highlight a continued industry focus on preventing similar large-scale failures. More recent, smaller-scale disruptions at other carriers are sometimes measured against the precedent set by the Southwest meltdown, underscoring its lasting impact on industry standards and public perception.