Southwest Airlines to get Reality Television Show on TLC

Southwest Airlines might do for airlines what Sister Wives did for polygamy. I can't really say whether that is a good thing or not; but, either way, the show will provide viewers with more behind-the-scenes access than you would likely get during a cavity search at the airport.

The 13 half-hour episodes will chronicle the experiences of a few select travelers as well as the chaos involved with operating an airline. Filming begins this week at Baltimore Washington International Airport and Denver International Airport with more airports to be added in the coming weeks, which will provide a great insight as to what it is like to be an airline employee during the busiest travel time of the year. (Too bad there isn't a Southwest employee that moonlights at Target or another retail store that they could profile during the week of Thanksgiving- THAT would be some real life drama.)

No word as of yet when the show will air or what the title will be.

Best Major Airlines for Business Travel

Business Travel News publishes annual rankings of the major airlines for business travel, which can be telling signs of on airline's overall quality for travelers. This year's results are based on a poll of 406 travel managers and buyers who spend at least $500,000 a year on flights booked in the United States. The rankings only include the five largest domestic airlines.

Here are the 5 ranked from best to worst according to BTN's airline score, which is comprised of data gathered from 10 different categories:

1. Delta Airlines*
BTN airline score: 3.14

2. United Airlines/ Continental
BTN airline score: 3.12

3. US Airways
BTN airline score: 3.07

4. American Airlines
BTN airline score: 2.94

5. Southwest
BTN airline score: 2.9


*This is Delta's first time at the number one spot.

For a more detailed report of this information, see this: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44876792/ns/business-us_business/

Southwest Airlines 3Q Losses Due to Fuel Hedges

Southwest Airlines experienced losses of $140 million for the third-quarter, its first loss in two years. Last year in the same quarter, Southwest made profits of $205 million. A portion of this loss can be chalked up to Southwest's purchase of AirTran Airways in May 2011, a $1 billion purchase. Southwest is already the most flown airline by U.S. passengers.

The major factor in the difficult quarter for Southwest is due to fuel hedges- like an insurance policy against unforgiving spikes in oil prices. High fuel costs forced Southwest to spend $1.59 billion in fuel for the quarter, a 71% increase from last year's figure. Southwest spent an average $3.23 a gallon on fuel, up from $2.47 in the previous year.

Southwest has been saving money by re-negotiating AirTran's contracts and expects to be able to save $400 million a year once completely worked out. Overall, Southwest is faring quite well- especially when compared to other North American airlines like American Airlines which reported losses of $162 million in the third-quarter, its 14th quarter out of the past 16 that incurred losses.

For a more detailed analysis: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Southwest-posts-3Q-loss-on-apf-2592141335.html?x=0

Transportation Department Consumer Rules Holds Ground Against Airlines

see article by Bill Poling here: http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/Southwest,-Spirit-and-Allegiant-lose-challenge-of-consumer-rules/