Southwest Airlines Co. reported a quarterly profit higher than analysts expected as leisure travel over the winter holidays and ticket prices both rose in the final three months of 2024.Adjusted earnings jumped to 56 cents a share in the period,

U.S. budget carrier Southwest Airlines' fourth-quarter profit surpassed Wall Street estimates on Thursday, helped by robust travel demand and improved airfares.

Southwest Airlines (LVU) put in a solid performance in the fourth quarter and forecast above-consensus revenue per available seat mile for the current quarter as the carrier absorbed surplus capacity across the industry with greater aircraft efficiency and higher airfares.