Southwest Airlines

Beginning on Dec. 4, flight attendants will start preparing the cabin for landing at an altitude of 18,000 feet instead of 10,000 feet. For passengers, that means returning their seats to an upright position and other pre-landing procedures earlier than before.

There were no reported injuries on the plane, which was struck while preparing for takeoff, Southwest Airlines said. The plane safely taxied back to the terminal after the incident.

The Dallas-based airline announced six new independent directors after facing months of pressure from investment management firm Elliott.

The Dallas-based carrier hopes to return to profitability with its new assigned seating model and a handful of new red-eye flights.

The Dallas-based carrier says it isn’t on board with the airport’s offer of more gates in an existing terminal.

Southwest Airlines is expected to say more this week about its major change to assigned seats. It’s part of a larger shift across the industry to maximize revenue, even if it makes boarding slower.

Southwest Airlines is doing away with a 50-year tradition and plans to start assigning seats. The airline is also looking to introduce redeye flights.

Federal officials are investigating an incident in which a Southwest Airlines jet flew as low as 150 feet over water while it was still about 5 miles from its intended landing spot in Tampa, Florida.

CEO Robert Jordan said on Wednesday that his leadership team is producing its own plan for improving Southwest's financial performance. Elliott Investment Management has said it bought a $1.9 billion stake in Southwest and wants to replace Jordan as well as the airline's chairman with executives from outside the company.

In a letter to Southwest’s board, Elliott Investment Management said that Southwest's “stubborn unwillingness to evolve” is causing deeply disappointing financial results. The airline's shares have lost more than 50% in the last three years.

Southwest Airlines is going back to federal court in hopes of reversing an $800,000 award to a flight attendant who says she was fired for her anti-abortion views.

U.S. airlines are trying to kill a new rule requiring them to disclose fees more quickly when consumers shop for flights. The Transportation Department said Monday it will defend the rule to crack down on what it calls “hidden junk fees.”