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Introducing Florida One!

lreynolds
Frequent Flyer A

IT'S HERE! We kept it under wraps as long as we could, but today I'm so excited to announce the unveiling of Florida One--a Boeing 737 emblazoned with an artist’s rendering of the state flag.  Florida One has been secreted away in a private hangar somewhere in the state of Louisiana this week, so I can speak for a lot of people when I say we are so ready to finally show it off!  Southwest kicked off the event with a press conference in a Tampa International Airport hangar with our CEO Gary Kelly, National Wildlife Refuge Association’s President Evan Herche, and Southwest’s Florida-based Employees. 


To see video of our beautiful Florida One, please visit: http://blogsouthwest.com/video/introducing-florida-one


Florida One represents our ties to the Sunshine State since beginning service in January of 1996.  We opened two cities on the same day back then:  Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood and Tampa Bay.  We've grown from 17 daily nonstop departures to 284 daily nonstop departures, and now carry 20 percent of all air traffic to the state of Florida.  And last (but certainly not least) we begin service to our seventh Florida city, Panama City Beach, on May 23, 2010.

Check out our undercover plane as it's being unwrapped:

More than 200 Southwest Airlines Employees and community leaders celebrated the unveiling this morning at Tampa Airport, and around 11am EST, the aircraft will begin a whistle-stop tour of our Florida cities. At each stop, we'll host a "welcome party" in the Southwest gate area to show off our newest Boeing beauty to Employees and Customers.

Our tour of Florida will touch down at:

Tampa

Jacksonville

West Palm Beach

Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood

Orlando

Ft. Myers


Florida One joins thirteen other 737s in Southwest’s fleet that carry a unique paint scheme: Arizona One, California One, Illinois One, Lone Star One (Texas), Nevada One, New Mexico One, Maryland One, three Shamu aircraft (SeaWorld), Silver One (celebrating Southwest’s 25th anniversary), Triple Crown One (recognizing Southwest’s top rankings for ontime performance, baggage handling, and Customer satisfaction), and Slam Dunk One (tribute to our NBA partnership).  Whoo! That's a lotta livery!


The newest aircraft in the Southwest Airlines fleet is truly a work of labor and art, requiring 32 people at the Boeing Company working three shifts over the course of eight days to paint.  Over 46 gallons of paint and 16 different colors make up Florida One.  (That sounds like a Trivial Pursuit question waiting to happen.)

I've gotta run for now, as I don't think Florida One will wait just for me. Be sure to follow @southwestair for updates throughout the day (hashtag #FL1) and I'll see you in Jacksonville!

 

81 Comments
Anonymous1654
Explorer C
WHY NOT FLY ONTO AND OUT OF DAYTONA BEACH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT? THAT WAY WE WOULD SAVE ON GAS GOING TO ORLANDO OR JACKSONVILLE...AT LEAST AN HOUR EACH WAY...TO AND FROM? ANY PLANS?!
Jane9
Explorer C
Beautiful!
Anonymous3456
Explorer C
The plane looks awesome! We fly to Florida several times a year. Since we own property in Sarasota, Florida, that is our final destination. Any chance you might start landing that new plane in SARASOTA?? We used to fly Southwest to Tampa all the time and drive over to Sarasota. Lately, however, we have been flying Air-tran, nonstop from Indy to Sarasota. If, and when, Southwest starts flying to Sarasota, we will be among your frequent fliers there! I think there are a lot of other travelers who feel the same way!
Anonymous1131111
Explorer C
What a beautiful plane! Can't wait to see it in person this afternoon in MCO!
JoanieB
Explorer C
When you start flying into DAB, one of my dreams will have come true.
Theresa5
Explorer C
I wish this big boy was up and operating when I went to PCB this past March. Oh well, I guess I will have to take my family on it when we travel to Florida to celebrate my graduation from nursing school!!!
Harold2
Explorer C
What a great addition to the Southwest Fleet!!!! I love Southwest Airlines!!! No other Airline comes close to you in Safety,Service and Convienence!!! Would Luv' to see A Southwest 737-900ER put into service on Coast -Coast Trans-Cons!!!! SWA All The Way!!!!!!!
Armand_Girard
Explorer C
I fly Southwest monthly and wouldn't think about flying any other airlines unless it's to a destination they don't service. After reading all the comments, I've realized that you can't please some of the people. Keep up the great service, Southwest. I LUV you!
Darlene_Hedrick
Explorer C
I am going to Tampa end of May Sure hope I am on the new plane
Anonymous312
Explorer C
Frank: The runway at Key West is way too short for a 737 to go anywhere SWA serves other than FLL or RSW or, MAYBE TPA or Orlando.+ The only scheduled jet service in and out of there that goes farther North than another FL city is a CRJ into ATL. (MUCH smaller airplane)
Anonymous3229
Explorer C
We need a SW flight into Key West!!
Jacque1
Explorer C
Another first class design from a first class airline. Can't wait to see this beauty. LUV is the best way to go.
Anonymous429
Explorer C
What a beautiful plane. Hope to fly on it someday to Orlando
Anonymous9
Explorer C
Isn't the new airport where Southwest will be flying into located in Panama City, FL...not Panama City BEACH? They are right next to each other.
Virgoman0
Explorer C
I love southwest but the next 3 flights 2 of which are on airtran because they kicked southwest's butt fair price wise. Your prices are getting higher stop the increases or you will lose more loyal flyers.
John_Thomas
Explorer C
Guess what...my brother flew this plane after it was uwrapped from the brown paper bag to Gary Kelly. Way to go Larry!!!! I'm proud of you. Your bro, JT
Eve
Explorer C
Now, all we need is some great prices for Floridians so we can actually go somewhere.
Anonymous3592
Explorer C
Nice paint job. However, I would love to see a Volunteer One (Tennessee)!
Anonymous1739
Explorer C
Nice JOB Southwest! The ultimate would be flying Florida One from FLL to BWI on a Monday morning and flying back on Maryland One on Thursday night! I believe that I have flown on almost all of the "Signature" planes in the past five years and it always feels "Special". Thanks for recognizing Florida!
RobSJC
Explorer C
Having been born in Miami Beach, Florida .. Florida One, is the one I want to ride on ! When is it coming to San Jose International Airport (SJC / KSJC) ? Have camera, will Travel 🐵
Scott_Burgess
Explorer C
Sweet plane: Can you build a Detroit one?
simona
Explorer C
I LUV Southwest, the most innovative domestic airline, keep on doing such a great job with flying and being artistically diverse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
blusk
Aviator C
anonymous 4/23 1820, we will be flying into the new Nowrthwest Beaches InternationalAirport at Panama City Beach
Anonymous
Not applicable
I was promoted to SWA Station Leader in Jacksonville, FL in late 1996 to open JAX on January 15, 1997 (retired in 2005). This is an awesome looking plane......I have often wondered if SWA was going to build a Florida One.
Darla
Explorer C
Why not give credit to the artist by name? It's so sad that your press release does not celebrate the artistic hand behind the design.
Thomas_Hofer
Explorer C
This plane sure looks attractive. I hope it will enhance service to Florida, since Southwest wants to expand upon that.
Anonymous2951
Explorer C
Great livery for FLORIDA. So thankful to SOUTHWEST for daily flights to FTL from JAX. Not since NATIONAL AIRLINES has Jacksonville had so many options for direct flights. Thanks again SOUTHWEST.!
Anonymous1958
Explorer C
Time for New Hampshire to get some LUV too... how about a Granite State 1 ???
AdmiralSirJohn
Explorer C
How about a "New York One" or even better, a "Niagara One"? Though it's been a while, I've flown your BUF-BWI route a number of times, and found the BWI-BUF leg fairly empty, while the BUF-BWI leg is almost always full. Perhaps seeing Niagara Falls flying over might entice a few people to visit...
Anonymous2562
Explorer C
I heard you are talking to Melbourne Airport in Melbourne Florida about going there. Any truth to that? That is a beautiful airport that needs more aircraft there. Please consider it. There is a market there....ask any of the passengers in the airport.
Myron
Explorer C
Saw "Florida One" yesterday here in NYC at LaGuardia; it was awesome but it was a cloudy day. I hope she returns. I was only able to see 1 side but not the other. Is the opposite side exactly the same? When will SouthWest paint a plane to honor New York? I wish they would release a list of dates when she will come as it takes me over 2 hours to get from my house to the airport.