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SOUTHWEST AIRLINES ANNOUNCES INTENT TO SERVE SOUTH CAROLINA

cday
Frequent Flyer C
Carrier Selects Charleston and Greenville-Spartanburg--No Subsidies Required

 

May 11, 2010--Southwest Airlines today announced its intent to serve the state of South Carolina—without subsidies—through the cities of Charleston (CHS) and Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) in 2011. Southwest will release details regarding start dates, destinations and fares, and number of departures at a later date.  The airline’s service will not be dependent on pending legislation to provide air service subsidies. For more information about Southwest Airlines, click here.

 

“We look forward to serving the Palmetto State with Southwest Airlines’ unique brand of genuine hospitality, great value, a robust and reliable flight network, and our terrific Employees who deliver excellent Customer Service,” said Dave Ridley, Southwest’s senior vice president of marketing and revenue management.

 

Southwest reported a profitable start to the year with its First Quarter 2010 financial results last month. At that time, Southwest said overall demand for its Low Fares and high quality Customer Service remained strong, resulting in a record first quarter performance for load factor, passenger yield, operating unit revenue, and passenger revenues.  Southwest attributed the notable performance to its network optimization and revenue management efforts, which also have allowed it to grow in destinations without growing its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. The carrier intends to continue that growth strategy in 2011, keeping its capacity relatively flat with 2010.

 

 

 

After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation’s leading low-fare carrier where bags fly free, continues to stand above other airlines—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) currently serves 68 cities in 35 states and is the largest U.S. carrier, based on domestic passengers carried. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.

 

www.southwest.com

1,329 Comments
Dawn_M__Sweeney
Explorer C
We'd like more info on SW trips to SC. We have family there, so exciting!
William_Hudson
Explorer C
Oh sweet heavens above! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Mama_Judy1
Explorer C
This is great news for South Carolinians, but is there ANY hope on the horizon for Shreveport, LA? My son has been stationed at Barksdale AFB for the last 16 years, and can you imagine the time and money I have spent the times I have to fly there? Please, please, please, from the bottom of all service members' hearts who are stationed at that humongous base (and their retired mothers) look at flying into Shreveport. If it happens in the next few years, I want to be on the inaugural flight from (hopefully) Nashville to Shreveport. Maybe I should start a Facebook/Twitter petition to find out how many other military members' families are being gouiged by three of the major domestic airlines? i LUV SOUTHWEST AIRLINES!!!!!
Rose_Marie_Brei
Explorer C
I love Southwest airlines I don't fly that often but when I do it's a wonderful experience. I am going to New york and I will definitly book my ticket with South West. Rose Marie Breitenbruck
ChucktownMark
Explorer C
Yeah!!!! Can't wait to travel from CHS to LAS and SFO!!! one small request - come before 2011!!
D_TONYA_DEAN
Explorer C
HEY SOUTHWEST!!!! WHAT ABOUT US IN NC??? ANY PLANS TO COME TO G'SO?? PTI AIRPORT!!!! PLEASE!!!!
Carla_Almond
Explorer C
Way to go Southwest. My preferred airline to fly with. Always good service. When we fly, we can count on flights being on time, or often even early. Glad to see you fly to South Carolina. Georgia and North Carolina are next?
AllOfUsInCharle
Explorer C
Thank you!
Anonymous4307
Explorer C
yippppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee horrayyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now for north-caorlina!!!! greensboro please!!!?????
Anonymous869
Explorer C
HOORAY!!!!
Tina8
Explorer C
That's great......
Anonymous3703
Explorer C
When will you start coming to Des Moines, Iowa? That would be so awesome, I would so book with Southwest!!!!
Anonymous3662
Explorer C
How about Billings Montana?
Joy_Bast
Explorer C
THANK YOU!!!! I suffer every year I go there, and can't fly South'Best'!
Anonymous1230
Explorer C
Sure wish it was sooner. I love to fly out to the the east coast.
Poindexter___Ja
Explorer C
Would love to have Southwest fly direct (non-stop) from LAX (Los Angeles) to IND (Indianapolis).
Poindexter___Ja
Explorer C
Would love to have Southwest fly direct (non-stop) from LAX (Los Angeles) to IND (Indianapolis).
tusphotog
Explorer A
Sure would be nice if you guys would serve Charlotte................. Charleston is a great vacation city.....
Terri7
Explorer C
Love that you'll be in Charleston and would make the trip for a good airfare. But even though I'm in SC would love it if once you're settled in Charleston you could come to Savannah, GA.
Anonymous2313
Explorer C
THANK GOODNESS! I love Southwest, but I have to fly from Boston to Charleston quite often. This is going to be soooooooo much cheaper now! Yay! Thank you Southwest!
Heather11
Explorer C
What exciting news!!! I cant wait! I will be on that first flight! thanks SWA we luv you
Anonymous109
Explorer C
Great news!!! Always thought CHS would be a good SWA location!
Linda_H
Explorer C
Come on to Greensboro NC!!! We need you here...
Anonymous2817
Explorer C
If Southwest doesn't fly there, I don't go.
Linda_H
Explorer C
Come on to Greensboro NC Please?????
Anonymous4485
Explorer C
Hallelujah!!!! Thanks Southwest--you are the GREATEST!!!!!!
Diana_Babineau
Explorer C
I've been waiting for 12 years for SWA to start service to GSP. I used to work for SWA in reservations at MDW. I would love to work for one of the best companies in America again. I'll be first in line for a job with SWA when they get ready to launch their service at GSP.
nezz
Explorer C
Thts great news...Im frm SC!!! so now I can come home with a affordable airline..... all my NC friends, Southwest goes to Raleigh
acs
Explorer C
I went to school in charleston. It's a beautiful city and I'm super psyched that I can now fly SouthWest to charleston. The "other" companies charge way to much and force you to fly on tiny little regional planes out of atlanta! Denver deserves a nice flight to the beach 🙂
Lindsey_from_Ch
Explorer C
Yay!!! Everyone I've talked to is so excited. I know demand is high for your flights but with a five hour drive (Raleigh or Jacksonville) we needed a Southwest location closer. I am so excited we already have trips lined up and tickets ready to purchase whenever you start. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
acs
Explorer C
Oh and SW serves Raleigh, NC already
Lynne_hess
Explorer C
Panama City Beach to Charleston would be awesome. Can't wait until SW arrives!
Theresa3
Explorer C
I am so happy! Been trying to find a decent low fare airline to south carolina, especially greenville airport. Usually have to fly into raliegh durham and make the 3.5 hour drive to visit family! Only wish it would come for this summer of 2010 but will take the 2011 start.
Lindsey_from_Ch
Explorer C
Yay!!! Everyone I've talked to is so excited. I know demand is high for your flights but with a five hour drive (Raleigh or Jacksonville) we needed a Southwest location closer. I am so excited we already have trips lined up and tickets ready to purchase whenever you start. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Eliza_in_NH
Explorer C
How exciting! I work in Customer Service for Southwest and this will make so-o-o many of our Customers happy! And new Customers too!
Martin_Weckerly
Explorer C
Great news, finally Southwest has arrived in Charleston, now I can fly home(Phx) at a reasonable rate,always few Southwest when I lived in Az and Nev..
Keeley_Krantz
Explorer C
Thank you Southwest! DING- we are now free to move about the country!
all_of_TENNESSE
Explorer C
PLREASE ADD KNOXVILLE...the GATEWAY TO THE SMOKIES!!!!!
Anonymous3210
Explorer C
YEA! YEA! YEA! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!!!
Anonymous3700
Explorer C
I'm so glad, now when are you going to service Charlotte N.C.?
jnet
Explorer C
How about southern South Carolina? We usually fly one airline to Savannah how about making that two!!
Anonymous1267
Explorer C
When are you guys going to start flying somewhere closer to Atlanta?
Anonymous2318
Explorer C
FANTASTIC!! Thank you, Southwest. I know you will find Greenville rewarding.
Tracy_N
Explorer C
WOOHOOOO!!! More options. I love flying SouthWest Air. I just can not wait.
poptop
Explorer C
this is the answer to many prayers!! we lived in San Ant for 15 years and know what SW can do...I have paid my share of outrageous fares from GSP...I suspect that will change. Bless you SW, Herb and a fantastic airline!
Anonymous3665
Explorer C
Puerto Rico should be next... HURRY!!!
So_excited__
Explorer C
I just looked for flights last night and said how great it would be to have Southwest in Charleston. I'm so excited.
Carrie3
Explorer C
YAY! This news made my day! We've been having to drive to Charlotte and Atlanta for lower fares and are SOOO excited to hear that Southwest is coming to Greenville. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!
Angie_Walters
Explorer C
Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I have been bugging you with emails, calls and blogs for 5 years! There nearerst SW terminal was Raleigh/Durham, which is close to 6 hours away! This is an answer to our prayers! My fiance' lives near Sacramento and my boys live in Charleston, SC!!!!! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! We will be using Southwest the very 1st day you begin service. i also have lots of business friends in the Charleston area that do business all over the US but especially out west, so you should be getting tons of business out of Charleston!
Shirley4
Explorer C
Soooooo.. Happy you are coming to GSP!!!!!!! Although we live in Hendersonville NC, it is only a 45 min. drive to GSP!!! This will be a great for us!!! Thanks,wish you were there for this summer season!!! Happy Flying!!!