Southwest fined $200,000 over airfare sales

DALLAS, TX -- Southwest Airlines Co. has agreed to a $200,000 fine for running fare sales this year but not having enough seats -- or none -- at the advertised price.

sThe U.S. Department of Transportation said Tuesday that Dallas-based Southwest engaged in deceptive practices and violated federal rules on airfare advertising.

Federal rules require airlines to set aside a "reasonable" number of seats on enough routes when they advertise a sale.

DOT invested sales advertised on Jan. 30 and Feb. 14.

Southwest says the "Luv a Fare Sale" was available on 786 routes covering 79 percent of the airline's network and sold out in fewer than 10 percent of them. The airline said the lack of Dallas-Branson sale seats was caused by technical glitches that have been fixed.

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