Southwest Airlines forecasts surge in 2026 profits after new seat, bag fees take hold

A Southwest Airlines aircraft parks at Gate B33 while its tail sticks into the sunlight at Boston Logan International Airport in Boston, MA, on December 22, 2025.Southwest Airlines on Wednesday forecast a surge in 2026 profits well above analysts' expectations as the carrier has overhauled its half-century-old business model to include new moneymakers like bag and seat assignments.The airline expects to earn at minimum, an adjusted $4 a share this year, exceeding the $3.19 analysts expected, according to es ...