Billionaire hedge fund investor Paul Singer just began cashing in on one of his biggest winning bets: Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) .Singer's hedge fund, Elliott Investment Management, sold roughly 5.3 million shares of the low-cost carrier, trimming its massive position as the stock trades nearly 75% above Elliott's average buy price of about $29.10, according to a Schedule 13D filed on Feb. 23. Even after the sale, Elliott still holds about 45 million shares. Southwest is now one of the fund's largest ...

Core Insights - Southwest Airlines forecasts a significant increase in 2026 profits, surpassing analysts' expectations due to a revamped business model that includes new revenue streams such as bag and seat assignments [1][4]. Financial Performance - The airline anticipates adjusted earnings of at least $4 per share for the year, exceeding the $3.19 expected by analysts, with a capacity growth of 2% to 3% compared to 2025 [2]. - For the first quarter, Southwest expects revenue per seat mile to increase by 9.5%, higher than the 8.5% forecasted by analysts, and projects adjusted earnings of 45 cents, above the 33 cents anticipated by Wall Street [2]. Business Model Changes - Over the past two years, Southwest has made significant changes to its business model, including the end of its open boarding policy and the introduction of assigned seating, which includes additional charges for certain seat selections [3]. - The airline also began charging customers for checked bags for the first time, aligning its practices more closely with industry competitors amid pressure to enhance profitability [4]. Recent Earnings Report - In the fourth quarter, Southwest reported adjusted earnings per share of 58 cents, matching expectations, while revenue was $7.44 billion, slightly below the $7.51 billion expected [6].

Core Points - Southwest Airlines will implement assigned seating for the first time on January 27, 2025, ending over 50 years of open seating policy [1][2] - The airline aims to generate new revenue streams, projecting an addition of $800 million to earnings before interest and taxes in 2025 and $1.7 billion in 2026 [2][3] - The changes are part of a broader overhaul of Southwest's business model, which includes charging for checked bags and introducing new fare types [3][4] Business Model Changes - The new boarding process will feature eight groups based on seat selection, status, and other factors, replacing the previous A-B-C group system [6][7] - Elite frequent flyers and top-tier ticket holders will be prioritized in the first two boarding groups, while other ticket holders will be assigned to groups three through eight based on their seat location [6][7] - The airline has utilized computer models and live tests to ensure that the new policies do not slow down boarding processes [4][5]