Southwest Alters Routes to Ease Connections

Southwest Airlines Co. revamped its route schedule to limit the number of times passengers on long trips change planes as the largest low-fare carrier flies more people farther. Southwest is no longer selling 843 schedule options that make more than two stops and require a connection, the Dallas-based airline said. The changes, which don’t eliminate any routes, took effect Tuesday. The move will reduce the number of passengers who miss connecting flights and must be housed in hotels or booked on other carriers, an analyst said. It comes as Southwest increased the minimum time between connecting flights in four cities. The average length of a passenger’s flight has risen 21% since 1996 to 663 miles as the airline has expanded its route system. At the same time, the number of people on connecting flights has grown to almost 15% from about 10% as the total number of passengers has increased. Southwest closed up 33 cents at $32.19 on the NYSE.