SOUTHWEST AIRLINES ANNOUNCES INTENT TO SERVE SOUTH CAROLINA

[cday]

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

[lindalu]

So excited you are coming to South Carolina, which Myrtle Beach was added on that list of towns where you will expand to!

[Ann10]

We in the Charleston area are so excited to welcome SW Airlines! I go up to NJ and my kids come here from NJ quite a bit and hope that you will add Newark/Liberty to your list of airports in addition to LaGuardia since Newark is more convenient for the NJ traveller. Would love to have a non-stop from CHS to EWR!

[Maryellen1]

Best news ever. I live and have an Inn in Greenville (Travelers Rest), can now go after a property in Charleston. Driving was holding me back from expanding my business. Thank you Southwest.

[JM1]

Yes! Family in Prosperity by Columbia! Hope you can expand there soon! TY Southbest!

[Gary_Soutier]

You guys are the best!!! For you guys to add GSP is like hitting the lottery. Me and my grandson Thank You from the bottom of our hearts. LUV you guys!!! Goodbye 4-1/2 hour drive from RDU.

[Gayle]

HOORAY!!! So thrilled!! Been looking forward to this day for 25 years- Could we possibly make it before 2011? I'm so excited I don't think I can wait! THANK YOU SOUTHWEST!!!

[Megan_Morris]

How would someone go about applying to work for Southwest in South Carolina? ;D

[Sarah_Eskew]

I am SO excited that you have finally come to the Upstate! I would have traveled A LOT more to visit my mother here in the past if you were! Now I will be able to bring my son AND husband (who has never been on a plane) up north to visit my father! If everyone wasn't sleeping I'd be screaming in joy. I look forward to flying with you soon here in GSP!

[J_5]

I'm thrilled with this! I have to say, it is not even the low fares but the more relaxed service and the lack of nickel and diming (except for the early check-in). However, now I'll be required to see my mother-in-law more often. sigh....

[Danny4]

Fantastic!!!! Just did the 4-hour drive from Greenville to Raliegh and now I won't have to do that anymore!!!

[Dolly_from_Char]

Happiness and rejoycing at CHS! Thank you Southwest for coming to South Carolina. Perhaps I'll be able to see my family in Baltimore more often, and my bags will fly free. As Arnold says in his California commercial, "When can you start?".

[alma]

thank you,thank you,& thank you

[Laurie3]

FABULOUS news! The last two times I've flown from the northeast to GSP were a disaster. One time I even ended up in Michigan? Been driving for the last couple of years because flying is so bad. Once you're up and running, I'll be using your airline for my trips to SC. Thank you!

[Anonymous4054]

Thank you!!! Sooo excited southwest is coming! The sooner the better...let us know when you'll start flying!!

[Tiffany2]

I was so happy to hear this morning about the flights to SC. I have family in Arkansas and travel there 3 to 4 times a year. All other flights are VERY expensive. But it's either fly or drive and 14 hours is along way. Just hope Southwest can come to Myrtle Beach. That would solve ALL the problems. Thanks Southwest!

[B_Kelly]

It would be great if Southwest would fly to Charlotte N.C. Don't you think?

[SW_Texas_fan]

need Atlanta in a bad way, Greensboro NC would be good too

[Anonymous3468]

My 90 year old Dad called to give me this great news! He lives in Greenville and I live neat St. Louis. He knows I prefer to fly SWA because the baggage charges on the other airlines are unconscionable. I will be one of the first to buy a ticket when you start flying to GSP - thank you so much.

[Becky10]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Coming to Charleston is the answer to many prayers. I know you will not be disappointed with this decision - we will make you proud to be a part of such an awesome city. I can't wait to book a flight - maybe I will even visit my family out West more often. You have opened up endless opportunities for this community and my family. Blessings, all day long

[Sherry3]

Thank you!!! Been waiting to fly BWI to CHS!!!! Only thing better would be MDT to CHS. Thanks again for coming to Charleston.

[Kelvin_Miller]

So glad that you are coming to CHS. After the pull out from Savannah it left us driving to Jacksonville for flights that the entire family could travel. Wish you could start sooner.. like this summer.

[Anonymous1363]

A non-stop to Chicago and a non-stop to Cincinnati (or Dayton/ Louisville/Indianapolis)would answer some prayers for a mom with little ones who has been traveling through Charlotte/Atlanta, Philli, all over and sometimes Charlotte and Atlanta to get back and forth to family. We are loyal SW flyers for years and moved from West Coast to Charleston only to lose all the fun. Thank you!

[glhil]

This is awesome, my daughter and granddaughter live in Charleston - I'm in Chicago- can't wait to finally fly Southwest!!!

[Anonymous1780]

I was hoping for Columbia for many reasons, but CHS and GSP are only a couple of hours away, both are great destinations. Thanks

[Harold3]

Been waiting for SWA CHS coverage for years. Thank you, thank you.

[Anonymous2511]

Great Balls of fire. Wonderful. Luv it Luv it. Thank U SWA!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Kim29]

I am elated that Southwest is coming to the Palmetto State, and not to mention the boost it will give the area for tourism. I am also looking forward to the affordability of southwest thus I can fly back home to Texas more often.

[Bob_Markway]

Always our favorite airline, SWA was a big loss when we moved to Greenville from New Orleans. Our kids and grandkids in San Diego and Los Angeles can't wait. And now that you take them, our dog can't wait either. A very sincere THANK YOU! Judging by the reaction of folks here, and on the West Coast, we'll keep you full at GSP.

[John_Schroeder]

Since becoming a SWA frequent flyer I have been waiting for this day. Each trip I take on SWA I ask the flight attendants “When will you fly to GSP” (my alternate business location). No more flying brand X out of GSP – YEA!!!

[Dan14]

The entire Greenville - Spartanburg area thanks you Southwest! Ticket fares from the other carriers have been out of control at GSP. I've been forced to drive to either Charlotte or Atlanta for my flights. It will be refreshing to actually consider my local airport for flight options.

[Anderson1]

Apparently, it takes eight years of birthday wishes (for 2) and several successful breaks of a wishbone to deliver an Airline! Glad Southwest is Coming to GSP. Can't wait to fly with you again!!!

[Henry_Doerner]

Southwest, you are very very welcome to South Carolina, thank you!

[Barb111]

would love to see a hop between tpa and mco

[Anonymous3620]

best news i had all year!!!

[Georgian_in_Ohi]

HURRAH! Thank you so much, Southwest!! I can see I am probably not the only one who wrote you requesting service to Georgia or South Carolina! Thanks for listening.

[Matt25]

please come to charlotte nc. I am tierd of paying usair prices

[Sandra_Glenn1]

My best friend lives in S.C., I can't wait to fly there more often, because of your great fares and the no-pay luggage....I love it!

[Jairia]

I am so glad to hear this!!!! I live @ 45 minutes from GSP and prefer to fly from there, but because of prices usually end up flying from either Charlotte or Atlanta and I hate flying from Atlanta! I can't wait til you start flying from GSP so that I can fly to Ohio & Florida to visit family! Your service can't come soon enough for me!

[Allen]

I live in Albuquerque, NM and I've flown on Southwest Airlines many dozens of times to all four corners of our great country...soon I can fly home to visit my family near Greenville! I'm so excited and I have say I've been waiting for years for Southwest to fly to South Carolina. I will definitely be booking some flights to Greenville when the service begins.

[Sarah111]

Excited to hear Southwest is coming to GSP! I'm an admin. assistant and Southwest will be my first go-to for scheduling our business travelers' flights.

[Anonymous166]

hot dog! I just love theem free cookies y'all give out.

[Carl_Brunson]

Service to Charleston cannot start soon enough! We have a son, his wife, and 2 grandkids there, so this is wonderful news. Please consider a Birmingham to Charleston direct connection. You have two great medical universties, lots of tourist travel from B'ham to Charleston, as well as Regions Bank as common denominators to dictate a direct flight between the two cities. We love to fly your airline and will be on a BHM to CHS flight at least every month. Thanks for your wise business decision. Carl Brunson in Birmingham, Ala.

[Cameron_Keegan]

In no way official, but I thought it would be interesting to see where future Southwest travelers would like to go from GSP: Vote for Southwest destinations from Greenville! http://www.greenvillemoves.com/southwest-gsp.html

[Denise3]

Yea!!! We visit Charleston several times a year from Columbus, OH. It will be great to have it as a Southwest destination!

[southwestman]

I very happy to see southwest comeing to chs.

[charlesrush]

hold on mom , southwest is coming in, and um on my way !

[Skreelie]

Hallelujah!

[Anonymous972]

Include Columbia and everyone wins. I don't think you would regret it, especially with the military traffic.

[Robin5]

Chicago-Midway to Greenville, SC---PLease!!!!!!!!!! There are no low-cost (or even moderate cost) options to Greenville from Chgo (and many other places). When American pulled out of Greenville several years ago, prices skyrocketed.

[jay11]

I know I will be flying Southwest at the very least 2 a year to visit family. I can wait to start erning those points on my Southwest card.