Southwest: Booking curve for holidays trending in line with 2019 levels.

Southwest Airlines reported (21-Oct-2021) lingering effects from the deceleration in bookings in 3Q2021 are estimated to negatively impact 4Q2021 operating revenues by approximately USD100 million. For Oct-2021, despite the improvement in revenue and booking trends experienced in the second half of Sept-2021, operating revenues include an estimated USD40 million negative impact due to the delta variant and an estimated USD75 million negative impact as a result of flight cancellations from operational challenges. Despite this and based on current bookings, the company's guidance for Oct-2021 operating revenues remains unchanged, as the recent improvement in travel demand trends offsets the aforementioned headwinds. Business revenues continue to lag leisure revenue trends however Southwest is encouraged by recent improvement in business travel demand resulting in steady improvements in business bookings. Beyond Oct-2021, the current booking curve for the holidays is trending in line with 2019 levels. [more - original PR]