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Raising the Bar--SI One

cday
Frequent Flyer C

 

Hello from LaGuardia Airport in New York City!  I just witnessed one of the coolest plane events ever!  We finally, after much speculation and anticipation, revealed the beautiful SI One.  This plane, N922WN, is wrapped with a temporary decal featuring the cover model, from the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. This definitely seals the deals on Southwest Airlines’ FUN and edgy factor! 


 
The cover model stepped off the plane and posed for pictures with our Pilots and Flight Attendants!  It is an absolutely beautiful plane, and hopefully you'll get to travel on this sometime soon!   Since my "Twiddles" left people guessing all day on Twitter , maybe now I need all our Bloggers and Twitter followers to send me their pics on SI One as it flies throughout the Southwest system!  Thanks to everyone that kept up with the Twiddles, I think the best detective was definitely Mike Sloane www.twitter.com/mikesloan
 
I'm working on getting the official pics from our friends at Sports Illustrated and here are some pics that we took today.  In the meanwhile, post pictures in the comment section if you can!  See yall back in Dallas!

Be sure and follow Christi's Tweets from the airplane's next stop, Las Vegas.

551 Comments
Anonymous724
Explorer C
Unbelieveable. Not the painting or the advertising scheem but the people who are making a big deal out of a little thing. Yes I have children but I am also very realistic. Seriously, how is this any different that what are children are exposed to everyday on the streets, the beaches, the pools, etc...? South West showed numbers, appox. 75 % of the people are fine with this and the remaining 25% are not. Similar to America as we know it. Over 75% of the people are being told what we can and cannot do by 25% of the population. When is the American majority going to stand up for it's rights? Why are we letting the select few tell us what is right and wrong. You Rock Southwest Airlines...
Carolyn_Dunham
Explorer C
What were you thinking Southwest? I am shocked that a company with your values would stoop so low as to plaster their plane with a barely dressed woman. I fly Southwest several times a year with my four children and would stop cold turkey if we were ever made to board that plane. It objectifies women and confused children. You have lost your "family friendly" status with this and I, for one, am deeply disappointed with a company that I've long admired.
Anonymous1023
Explorer C
I am surprised that Southwest would do this -after kicking another more-clad lady off of one of their planes. Seeing this image on the side of the aircraft certainly won't do anything to make me want to fly SWA.
Anonymous3478
Explorer C
Seriously! After attempting to throw not just one, but at least three women off your flights because of issues related to their clothing/appearance/"sexiness"? I'm glad that you think it's a beautiful plane but I encourage you to expand your definition of "beauty," or at least provide us with some alternatives. Having just learned that my friend paide $100 less for a Texas-San Francisco flight on Jet Blue (than I paid on SWA), I now have one more--and perhaps more important--reason to move SWA down the list of possible airlines next time I buy a ticket. Make up your minds about how you feel about scantily clad women.
Hugh_Hefner
Explorer C
Oh I wish I still had a plane and didn't have to go on the TV show with those teenagers to pay the pool heating bill since everyone stopped buying my magazine. Hey...got an idea! Why don't you put Playboy on the wings of the airplane for people to read while they eat the free peanuts??? Yours, Hef
Mike_W
Explorer C
Congrats to SW for being progressive in the PC world. Of course this will bother some people. Guess they never go to the beach. Or just plain do not get it.
bblackee98
Explorer C
Mary B I think its great! What sets SWA apart is its reputation for excellent customer service and well, FUN! I'm certain most of those who have complained about it subscribe to SI so why all the wailing? It's sporty and not in bad taste at all-if SWA hadn't chose to do it, I'm sure Richard Branson would!
AAF
Explorer C
To those who find the picture of a girl in a bikini on a an airplane "tacky" or "sexual harassment": Get a life! Haven't you ever been to a beach? If you don't like it, go fly Air Taliban.
NORM11
Explorer C
Are you kidding me? People are upset about a plane painted with a swimsuit model and calling it pornography?! This country really needs to figure out what is important and what is not. I worked in the retail video game industry for 10 years and the most troubling part of my job was the reversal of values and common sense I experienced every single day. The upcoming example I am referring to is the most common and can be validated by any person in the retail video game industry across this country, it was not and is not an isolated incident. The game Grand Theft Auto, any version, contains extreme violence, gore, foul language, etc… it has an ESRB rating of Mature for 17 or older. In some states it is a crime to sell this game to anyone under the age of 17 without parental consent, and it has more severe punishments than selling cigarettes to a minor including loss of job, heavy fines and jail time. I have had parents and grandparents come in to purchase this game for teens and pre-teens. I explained the contents of the game, the brutality that can be done and the reality of beating someone to death in this game, but it doesn’t matter to them at all and they still want to purchase the game for the child. Then I mention to them that there is also nudity in the game and then they get upset and say, “No way! Not for my child!” So the conclusion I have from this, is that it is ok for a child to witness or virtually participate in acts of extreme violence and murder. As soon as a naked breast, something that is natural and beautiful, something that every child who has ever been breast fed has already seen, something that throughout their life they are most likely going to see again, becomes exposed, people all of a sudden have a moral issue. In the situation with Southwest, this plane displayed a Swimsuit model in a tasteful, artistic manner and pictures similar to this can even be seen on TV or in any of the fashion, tabloid and intimate apparel section in a department store catalog, and yet people are getting upset. Wake up people; in other countries it is common for families with children of all ages to go the beach, which are primarily topless, and spend the day. Advertisements and billboards may display the occasional topless woman to promote a product. The human body is a natural and god given thing, unlike violence and murder, teach your child what to respect and what is wrong. Here in this country we feel we are superior to the rest of the world in many things, but in this respect, the rest of the world is laughing at us.
JohnC
Explorer C
As a regular Southwest Airlines customer I chuckled this morning as I read, and I quote: "many women do not enjoy having their husbands exposed to explicit pictures ..." in reference to the paint job on your SI-1. Me thinks this is probably because hubby might find your paint job tittilating enough to once again have a sexual interest in wifey. Since in all likelihood it has been decades since this has been so, I suspect that their amorous life is drier than Osama Bin Laden's cave. Regards.
GF
Explorer C
I fly your airline at least 20 times a year, if you give in to any politically correct BS, I will change airlines. I'm sick and tired of a few gutless nags that have nothing better to do influence our right to have some humor and lightness in our existence. tell anybody who complains about this to take a hike. They probably want seat assignments too.
The_Good_Doctor
Explorer C
I love it
Anonymous3688
Explorer C
The American public never ceases to amaze me! If there was a picture of Jesus on the plane would they complain, or a gun totting rebel, or a Hummer ad, or a pensioner selling haemorrhoid cream? Probably not! But put a picture of a young woman in a bikini and the sky falls in. Have these people never been to a beach, the idea that some people are terrified and horrified by a photo is beyond belief. If it was a picture of the statue of David would they demand a fig leaf? Have they never been to an art gallery and seen a nude painting, probably only with eyeshades on so they wont be offended. Small, prudish,immature minds, no wonder your country is in so much trouble on so many fronts. I live in New Zealand for the record
Marc3
Explorer C
What is it about the American people? I know numerous parents who will let their children watch just about anything violent on TV but OH MY GOD, it's a model in a bikini! Call the Puritanical police! Get over it folks, it's just a human body, in a bikini.
as400coder
Explorer C
I think having Bar on the side of a plane is awesome !! The people complaining and whining about this really need to get a life !! They are probably overweight, unsightly individuals who would never be caught dead in a swim suit in public or some religous zealot trying to shove their misguided beliefs down our throats. And odds are, they don't even fly this airline that much !!! And even if they do, GUESS WHAT, they don't have to !! Worrying about your kids seeing this ?? Apparently you don't take them to the beach or a public simming pool. Because if you did, I'm sure they would see much "worse" ! For example, seeing people, morbidly obese, wearing swim attire that is extremely inappropriate. Exert your energies protesting thigs that REALLY matter in these trying times. Such as the atrocities in Darfur or the way our government is squandering tax payer dollars to "bail out" mis-managed companies paying huge bonuses to executives running companies into the ground and costing hard working individuals their jobs !!. Talk about offensive !! Give me Bar on the side of an airplane any day !!
Pride_v__Prude
Explorer C
Why is it that when women rail against sexism they are labeled prudes? One has NOTHING to do with the other. And when are advertising people going to get that objectifying women is, not only wrong and hurtful to women, it is soooo outdated. It's what companies use when they've got nothing else. Creativity? Naw, let's just pay a "model" to take off her clothes. Pathetic. I've pledged my loyalty to SWA for many years. I'm a frequent business traveler and right now I'm shredding my free drink coupons. I'll NEVER fly SWA again. They can keep their nuts and canned jokes. And their skanky fuselage. And to all of you pro-porn apes, what are you doing on this site? Don't you have anything "better" to look at?
noreen
Explorer C
I find the SI picture on the plane quite offensive. I always liked SWA, but am offended enough that I will not fly my family on your airline for sometime. You might attract 20 somethings to your airline with this promotion, but I suspect the message the SI pictures send to teen girls and boys is way too sexual for families to tolerate. You have changed your image from fun and easy going, to tacky and somewhat desperate. Perhaps that is what you are looking for.
Anonymous3978
Explorer C
As a frequent passenger (and promoter/converter) of Southwest Airlines, I'm extremely disappointed to see them lower their standards. Isn't this a double standard - kick those off the plane who are scantily clad, but plaster someone with even less clothing on the outside of the airplane? We love Southwest and their family-friendly service. In the past, I didn't think twice about choosing them first over other airlines; this, however, but will definitely make me think twice before purchasing future tickets.
Robert_M
Explorer C
What a bunch of prudes. It's a girl in a bikini. The way some of you people talk you would think she was riding laying there naked with her legs spread open. I think you folks better get off the Internet and go flail yourselves for viewing that picture
KFED
Explorer C
What's the big deal? Its great advertisement for both parties involved! If you are traveling with kids and you take them to one of the airport store you will see SI along side Playboy & other magazines much worse! So will you complain about those being out in the public for your kids to see as well? Why is it all you people have to constantly have something to complain about? Im pretty sure SWA thought about the pros & cons of this before they did it. So let them do their thing & let it go unnoticed, otherwise you just play a pawn into their marketing scheme!
Anonymous1140
Explorer C
As an SWA stockholder since 1974 I love this idea ! It's a shame there are so many closed minded people out there !
say_it_ain_t_so
Explorer C
I 'luv' that Southwest is fun and she is a beautiful model but the bikini and all on a plane is just too much - I would hate for my young daughter to see this so we wont be flying SWA for now (assuming this wont last forever). It's just not very classy - also I love sports - if you want to promote SI promote SPORTS! She is beautiful and it is a lovely magazine cover - leave it there.
Dale11
Explorer C
'Company with a conscience', as Southwest.com says? That would be great, but the SI model artwork implies the lack of one.
Mike_from_Down_
Explorer C
This hoo-haa has made international headlines, for all the wrong reasons. Firstly, I'm just stunned and amazed that any woman would seriously object to this on the grounds that they don't want their husbands exposed to it. I mean, c'mon! Are you serious? Talk about relationship problems!! Secondly, I'm a little surprised that anyone would worry about their kids seeing it. OK, so your kids are banned from the beach or even the local pool? What, forever? This just reinforces the unfortunate image of the southern US in the eyes of many decent and reasonable overseas visitors as a region of complete prudes. Paranoid, ridiculous prudes. I am an Aussie, BTW.
Anonymous4
Explorer C
Too many uptight, narrow minded, liberals in our society. It's a fully covered woman on the side of an airplane...big deal. If you don't like it, don't look at it.
Anonymous471
Explorer C
Too funny -- Oh, look! A series of posts - all right after one another - all in the same form of grammar/style/syntax -- all announcing the marketing employees as geniuses: February 11th's 17:17, :18, :19, :23, :25, :29.....Gee, I bet those posts don't have the same IP Address! Marketing guy, if you're freaking out about the bad press and you're trying to sneak in some compliments, you might not want to do it all at once.....come and post daily, maybe. That would be less obvious. But, sorry. The plane has scared away many, it seems.
Anonymous3517
Explorer C
Would you stop going to your dentist if there is a copy of SI in the waiting room? Do you take your kids to the beach? LIGHTEN UP PEOPLE!
Derek
Explorer C
Continue on Southwest. You will find that the amount of passengers that complain but still fly will not change, brilliant marketing strategy. Create the hype and still get the same customers to fly despite there saying this is tacky. I have two young girls 4 and 10 that think it is cool because they relate it to Hawaii and the beach, because we wont tell them it is wrong and create the missperception that they can't wear that when they go to the beach. Carry on.
Anonymous1643
Explorer C
I think its great. Nothing wrong with this at all. All of you who are offended need to get a life and worry about the more important things in life. There is nothing offensive about a beautiful girl in a bathing suit. Girls wear bathing suits all the time! What's the big freakin' deal about it. If you're looking for something to complain about, HOW ABOUT OBAMA RUNNING THIS COUNTRY INTO THE GROUND WITH HIS RIDICULOUS SPENDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Icked_Out
Explorer C
Well, SWA likes to advertise as being no class....but now we are apparently to believe it is really low class
Torsten
Explorer C
This looks awesome! It should give more of airplanes like this one!!
BAVARIAN_BEER
Explorer C
Habt Ihr noch alle Tassen im Schrank. Prüde USA. Waffen sind legal aber brüste herzeigen nicht ?
laxx
Explorer C
You Americans are so damn prude, that is ridiculous. No person outside the US would care if there is a covered woman on the airplane. How can anybody be offended by this?!? All day long you can see most violent things on TV but whenever a naked breast would be shown it's scandalous. GET REAL HYPOCRITES!!!
Anonymous384
Explorer C
why shouldn't a kid see a woman in a swimsuit?? what is the problem?? you guys make absolutely no sense!! don't act like kids have never seen a woman in a bikini before!!
Anonymous1099
Explorer C
just because some women are too fat and don't want their kids to see how women can look like when they don't eat at mcdonalds three times a day, you can't complain about this picture!
Anonymous2065
Explorer C
don't change something 95% of the people are ok with, rather change the remaining 5% of the prudes!
JBrookeBrown
Explorer C
As a 27-year-old female, I see absolutely nothing wrong with this and I approve 100%. She's beautiful, it's a tasteful photo (not like those Lindsay Lohan-wanting-to-be-Marilyn photos we saw a few months back in a magazine), and it's only temporary anyway. Loosen up the strings a little, folks, and you'll see it's not that bad. Primetime television, even ABCFamily, features more scandalous stuff than this on any given night and yes, your little darlings are subjected to a lot worse at school (coming from a former 8th grade teacher that taught in a "good" school, I can promise you that!). I'll be actively searching for Southwest Airlines tickets from this day forward. I want to fly an airline that's laid back, relaxed, and knows how to have a good time.
Eunice_B_K_
Explorer C
Oh come on people, why don't you just loosen up and enjoy it. Why is it that people have to constantly have something to complain about? And those that are worried about their kids seeing it; are you banning your kids from going to the beach or even the pool? I would like to see a good looking guy, that would be a good idea!!!!!!!!
Anonymous3265
Explorer C
oh man sh looks nice !! prude people ...
Anonymous539
Explorer C
maybe I'm just different, but I don't understand how having a bikini model on the side of an airplane is any different than having them on TV, on magazines at the grocery store, pictures in department stores, etc The swimsuit issue is one of the most anticipated sports illustrated magazine each year, and I think it's great that Southwest has partnered with them.
entertained_fro
Explorer C
I love you puritans from the US! :-) Only in the US and in islamic countrys somebody would care about this plane. Do you really think you cannot look at this picture and treat the flight attendants with respect? How do you prevent your kids from dangerous situations like women at the beach?? The whole world is laughing about you and your overreactions.
Nancy1
Explorer C
I think more than anything, I'm disappointed in SWA. There could be so many other 'fun', 'edgy', or 'entertaining' options for them. I just paid for my 73 year old mother to fly SWA to meet her first great-grandson. Had she been placed on this plane - trust me - you would have heard about it from her. And also from me. While neither of us would object to a young woman choosing to model or wear a skimpy bathing suit, there is a time and a place for everything. On the side of a large, very public plane is not either. I will be seriously considering other airlines the next time I spend my money on airfare. And I appreciate the opportunity to share my opinion the same as everyone else. Thank you.
Anonymous1830
Explorer C
I JUST WANTED TO SAY IM REALLY DISAPPOINTED WE DONT WANT NAKED WOMEN ON AIRPLANES!!!
Ken12
Explorer C
How do I get on that plane?!?!
Anonymous856
Explorer C
Now that's one fast woman! I'll be sure to watch out for her!
seriously
Explorer C
wow! my friends, family and i will never fly with southwest again!
Anonymous1351
Explorer C
I'd be willing to bet that the women complaining about this are the sames ones who probably couldn't fit into the swimsuit on Bar, or wouldn't be caught dead on the beach. Get a life! Grab another box of Ding-Dongs/Twinkies/Ho-Ho's/Malomars/etc. Nobody is saying that she's the perfect woman (she sadly continues the trend on Madison Avenue that thin is in), but just because you're insecure about your own bodies doesn't mean it's a bad thing!
Becky9
Explorer C
So disappointing. What more can you say, than it's just so inappropriate.
Anonymous3835
Explorer C
Sex sells, what can you say? I think its a bit tacky but it is their plane to do with what they see fit. If they want to slap a half naked beautiful lady like that on THEIR plane, then by all means do so!
SWA_flyer1
Explorer C
I would be happy to fly on that plane anytime. Shes hot and damn let me on that plane.