Airlines Confidential · Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Southwest Airlines achieved a $233 million profit in the second quarter, exceeding last year's earnings by $20 million. The airline saw the highest passenger revenue increase and maintained stable operating margins despite industry-wide increases in fuel costs.
“Southwest, $233 million in the second quarter. That was 20 million more, more, I repeat, than last year in 2025.”
“Operating margins were down everywhere in the industry, obviously because of high fuel prices, but not down at Southwest.”
“Southwest was flat in operating margins as revenue really did offset higher fuel costs completely.”