Apr 27, 2017

Southwest says it will stop overbooking flights

Charles Dharapak / AP

Southwest Airlines announced Thursday that the company plans to stop overbooking flights. The move comes after the ugly United Airlines incident, in which a passenger was forcibly removed from a flight.

Last year Southwest bumped 15,000 passengers off flights, more than any other U.S. airline, according to AP. Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said Thursday that the airline had been thinking about ending its overbooking system for "a long time" because of fewer and fewer no-shows, but the problem gained more urgency following the United controversy. A spokesman told Axios the move was "another way Southwest Airlines aims to be different."

Growing trend? Not really. Companies are still reluctant to forgo selling more tickets in the event that a few passengers don't show up. JetBlue is currently the only major U.S. airline with a written policy that bans overbooking. United said Thursday that it plans to reduce overbooking, but will not eliminate it entirely.

Go deeper

Ina Fried
10 mins ago - Technology

Tech hits the brakes on office reopenings

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Tech was the first industry to send its workers home when COVID-19 first hit the U.S., and it has been among the most cautious in bringing workers back. Even still, many companies are realizing that their reopening plans from as recently as a few weeks ago are now too optimistic.

Why it matters: Crafting reopening plans gave tech firms a chance to bolster their leadership and model the beginnings of a path back to normalcy for other office workers. Their decision to pause those plans is the latest sign that normalcy is likely to remain elusive in the U.S.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Dion Rabouin
19 mins ago - Economy & Business

The existential threat to small business

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the game for U.S. businesses, pushing forward years-long shifts in workplaces, technology and buying habits — and forcing small businesses to fight just to survive.

Why it matters: These changes are providing an almost insurmountable advantage to big companies, which are positioned to come out of the recession stronger and with greater market share than ever.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Neal Rothschild
1 hour ago - Economy & Business

Students say they'll sacrifice fun if they can return to campus

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

College students overwhelmingly plan to return to campus this fall if their schools are open — and they claim they'll sit out the fun even if it's available, according to a new College Reaction/Axios poll.

Why it matters: For many, even an experience devoid of the trappings of college life is still a lot better than the alternative.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow