Southwest to Shutter Two Crew Bases

The satellite bases were only staffed by flight attendants.

A Southwest Boeing 737 MAX 8 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

[ Cabin Crew ]March 4, 2025 1:53 pm ET

By Ryan Ewing

Less than a month after announcing its first-ever mass layoff, Southwest said Tuesday that it will close two flight attendant bases. The Dallas-based airline cited complexities around reserve coverage for the closures.

The two affected bases are in Austin, Texas, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These satellite bases opened in 2018 and were each staffed with approximately 150 flight attendants.

These closures are slated to take effect on July 1. Displaced flight attendants will be moved to Southwest’s 12 main crew bases, an airline spokesperson told AirlineGeeks.

Currently, the carrier has bases in Atlanta; Baltimore; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Houston; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Nashville, Tennessee; Oakland, California; Orlando, Florida; and Phoenix. No pilots are based in Austin or Fort Lauderdale.

This move, Southwest said, is part of the carrier’s ongoing efforts to “further maximize our operational efficiency and reliability.” In January, the airline shared plans to downsize pilot head counts at several bases.

“This change will ultimately help strengthen our Crew network and support a more reliable operation for our Employees and Customers,” the spokesperson added.

The Transport Workers Union – which represents Southwest flight attendants – said it is supporting “our Members who are affected by this decision.”

Facing pressure from activist investor Elliott, Southwest laid off 1,750 corporate workers last month.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. to add a statement from the TWU.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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