Southwest Airlines

LUV

Market cap $18B

Airlines stocks have overcome severe turbulence in 2025 to fly into positive territory. But there's more trouble ahead and the sector needs a strong holiday travel period to hold on to its gains.

US airlines are preparing for the busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record, with more than 31 million passengers expected from Nov. 21 through Dec. 1. The day is more in focus this year after the government shutdown.

California's largest carrier1 debuts all-time high departures in San Diego New service between Hawaii and the mainland set to launch from LA-area airports DALLAS , Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today extended its schedule for booking through September 2026 – giving Customers more options in San Diego than ever before and new offerings at three airports in Greater Los Angeles. Customers can book today at Southwest.com®.

A record 31 million of travelers are set to fly over the Thanksgiving period between Nov. 21 through Dec. 1, airlines said. Airlines are hoping for a smooth holiday after thousands of flights were disrupted in the federal government shutdown this fall.

DALLAS , Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.18 per share to Shareholders of record at the close of business on December 26, 2025, on all shares then issued and outstanding. The quarterly dividend will be paid on January 16, 2026.

U.S. airlines will see an impact of those slower bookings in their fourth quarter, which usually ties with second quarter and the start of the summer as their strongest for sales.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said Sunday that the 6% traffic cut implemented last week would be terminated at 6 a.m. ET Monday morning.

The FAA will lift shutdown-related flight cuts at airports nationwide on Monday at 6 a.m. Flight restrictions were imposed due to staffing shortages during the 43-day government shutdown.

Airline executives are pushing lawmakers to make sure air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration workers are paid if there's another shutdown. Air traffic controller staffing could become even more difficult as a result from the record shutdown, Transportation Secretary Duffy said.

CNBC's Phil LeBeau joins 'Closing Bell Overtime'  with the latest on the air traffic pullbacks.