This weekend, Southwest Airlines endured any airline’s worst nightmare when an engine failed, forcing an emergency landing that, happily, the pilots navigated safely and successfully. Southwest later called it an isolated incident. That said, it’s one more piece of bad news in what has been a horrible summer for the airline.
For Southwest, the reversal of fortune in the past few months is especially stark given the company’s history as one of the most successful U.S. airlines. The brand consistently ranks near or at the top of consumer surveys, thanks to its aggressive pricing and friendly service.
