Southwest Airlines fined record $140 million by DOT over 2022 holiday travel meltdown

Southwest Airlines has been handed a record $140 million fine for its operational meltdown during the 2022 holiday travel season, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Monday.

The civil penalty leveled against the airline is about 30 times larger than any previous fine against an airline, DOT officials said in a press release.

The DOT said it will also require Southwest to start issuing a $75 flight credit to any passenger whose arrival is delayed more than 3 hours when it's the airline's fault, including mechanical issues.

"Today's action sets a new precedent and sends a clear message: if airlines fail their passengers, we will use the full extent of our authority to hold them accountable," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.