CEO Bob Jordan says the airline is committed to safety as the FAA announces a new audit of the company. ABC's Lionel Moise reports.

Southwest Airlines is eliminating its open seating policy. It will begin rolling out assigned seating and premium seat options beginning next year.

Southwest Airlines plans to drop the open-boarding system it has used for more than 50 years and will start assigning passengers to seats, just like all the other big airlines

The commercial airline has decided to begin assigning seats. This is the first time their passengers will be assigned seats before arriving at the airport.

The airline made the announcement Thursday and cited customers' complaints about its open seating as one reason for the change.

Southwest Airlines is moving from its famously open seating to assigned seats, adding a premium cabin with more legroom and adding redeye flights.

An escalator at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport caught fire Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey told ABC News.

Patrick Flanagan explains his time stranded at the airport for 12 hours.

A terminal at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport was briefly evacuated because an escalator was on fire

Families speak out amid continued air travel chaos with Delta Air Lines, now being investigated by the Transportation Department.

The major Delta flight disruptions are now in their sixth day, leaving many passengers stranded at airports. The airline issued an apology Wednesday morning.

Over 10,000 Delta flights were canceled and another 45,000 delayed, resulting in lost luggage. WCVB reporter Todd Kazakiewich gives more details.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the investigation on Tuesday.

ABC News’ Gio Benitez breaks down what rights passengers have if an airline cancels or delays their flight.

It’s been five days since the global tech outage affected most U.S. airlines, but Delta has struggled to get back on track, with nearly 1,100 cancellations on Monday alone.

Delta Air Lines CEO responded to backlash from customers and spoke with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about passenger protection rights.

The airline canceled nearly 1,000 flights as the airline struggled to recover from last week's computer outage caused by CrowdStrike. ABC News' Rhiannon Ally reports.

The FAA is investigating another harrowing close call after a Southwest Airlines plane dropped within 150 feet of the water off the coast of Florida.

Delta Air Lines is struggling for a fourth straight day to recover from the tech outage, even as other airlines are returning to nearly normal levels of service

Travel expert Katy Nastro breaks down the best ways to navigate travel amidst Friday's IT outage chaos.

A timelapse shows passenger flights across the U.S. from midnight to 10 a.m. ET on Friday as a wave of IT outages swept the globe, causing thousands of flight cancellations.

IT outages have been reported across the globe as airlines, airports, banks and media companies have suddenly experienced ongoing disruptions.

Travel experts share insights to navigate air travel delays and best next steps following the CrowdStrike IT outage.

The outage has forced American Airlines, United, Delta and other carriers to halt service overnight due to the widespread computer issues.

“I felt demoralized. I felt embarrassed, humiliated. I felt like my dignity was stripped from me right for my children and my family," former NFL star Terrell Davis said.

The Federal Aviation Administration says two Delta Air Lines flights were diverted over the weekend because of mechanical issues

The flight was preparing for takeoff in San Francisco when smoke in the cabin forced everyone to evacuate the plane.

An American Airlines flight has been evacuated after the crew reported smoke in the cabin while the plane was taxiing at San Francisco International Airport.

Officials said an American Airlines flight was evacuated, and at least one person was injured, after smoke filled the cabin at San Francisco International Airport on Friday.

American Airlines said the smoke came from a laptop in a passenger's bag.

ABC News’ Sam Sweeney discusses the latest in a string of issues on flights.

Sparks and smoke were seen coming off the Boeing 737, which was carrying 174 passengers en route to Phoenix before the pilot aborted takeoff.

The complaint alleges that the drink was served during turbulence with the seat belt sign on.

A flight bound for Phoenix was delayed Wednesday morning when a tire on the plane exploded during takeoff at Tampa International Airport, as shown in a video.

ABC News’ Gio Benitez discusses the FAA’s investigation amid the latest mid-air scare and Boeing’s deal with the Department of Justice.

The FAA is investigating after police dash-cam video appears to show an American Airlines regional jet and a Delta Connection airplane nearly touch over Syracuse, New York.

Pastor facing federal charge after allegedly assaulting his wife over flight upgrade.

A tire fell off a Boeing 757 when it was taking off from Los Angeles International Airport on Monday.

Cecilia Laguzzi said the plane felt like it was in free fall for six or seven seconds.

The Air Europa flight from Spain to Uruguay experienced "heavy" turbulence early Monday morning and was diverted to Brazil, the airline said.

Flight UX045 experienced strong turbulence early Monday morning and landed safely after being diverted to Natal International Airport in Brazil, Air Europa said.

The AirEuropa flight from Spain to Uruguay with 325 onboard hit turbulence over the Atlantic Ocean and made an emergency landing in Brazil.

First Officer Mackenzie Rennhack flew with her pilot father, Captain Michael Rennhack, on her debut flight for Southwest Airlines. It was their first flight together as a family.

The flight from Spain to Uruguay was diverted for an emergency landing in Brazil. Some of the passengers were treated for head injuries, cuts to the face and bruises.

The plane flying to Baltimore departed from a temporarily closed runway in Maine earlier this week. An airport vehicle was on that same runway just before the plane started its roll.

The FAA is investigating a Southwest flight that suddenly dropped over 500 feet from the ground while en route to its destination. Also, more on American Airlines failed agreement with union workers.

The FAA is investigating after a Boeing 737 dropped to roughly 525 feet while making its approach into Oklahoma City Airport just after midnight on Wednesday.

The FAA is investigating another incident concerning a Southwest Airlines flight. The plane dropped to roughly 525 feet as it approached Oklahoma City.

JetBlue announces it will no longer charge for carry-on bags at any fare type.

Bargain fares are available on select dates and flights, including international destinations, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Book by Thursday at midnight and check the airline's website for details.