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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
Jerry11
Explorer C
i would like to see you go to willmington nc. or Myrtle beach sc.
Donna14
Explorer C
Congratulations to SC & SWA!! Waiting to see KNOXVILLE, TN added!
SuziQew
Explorer C
Awesome! Charleston is one of our favorite places, especially since we met there 38 years ago.
Anonymous2144
Explorer C
Excellent! Hope that Key West FL will someday become another Southwest destination.
David49
Explorer C
South'Best - you've done it again! How about Atlanta (ATL-to compete with AirTran), Knoxville (TYS-gateway to the Smokies), and Bozeman (BZN-gateway to Yellowstone). My wife and I 'LUV' your airline and it's always our first choice for business or personal travel.
William10
Explorer C
I look forward to heading to the beautiful Charleston, SC.... Way to go SWA!!!
Richard_Polese
Explorer C
Wonderful news! Can't wait for my return to the beautiful Palmetto State. It's been too long!
Anonymous3440
Explorer C
What about Hilton Head or nearby Savannah GA...we would sure love to see SWA there! (So would our guests!!!)
Bob_K_
Explorer C
Sure wish you would ad Columbia as well.
Marge
Explorer C
I AM SO EXCITED THAT SOUTHWEST IS COMING INTO GREENVILLE/SPARTANBURG! GSP HAS NEEDED ANOTHER AIRLINE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. FARES ARE UNREALISTICALLY HIGH HERE. COULD YOU PLEASE HAVE A ROUTE TO NASHVILLE,???? PLEASE - MY GRANDSONS AND FAMILY ARE THERE. MY SON OFTEN HAS TO FLY FROM BNA TO FLO TO GET A DECENT FARE TO GET TO GREENVILLE. THANKS SO MUCH FOR CONSIDERING BNA.
Bob_Earl
Explorer C
South Carolina service, what fabulous news! We have close family in Spartanburg and have had to depend on a different Dallas Metroplex carrier. I think we can safely say you will have all of our domestic business now. Next - let's get back to an arrangement with WestJet Airlines. That would make us an All-Southwest family. Bob Earl, Phoenix FAA ATC (retired) SEA-COS-LAS
Julie6
Explorer C
We have just started flying more and Southwest makes it so easy. And we love Hilton Head, so we are SO excited about the service to Charleston. This year we'll have to make the two-day drive, but not after your service starts!
Anonymous857
Explorer C
Thank you! Cannot wait for more info - want to be on the 1st chance I get.
Grandma_Jean
Explorer C
Now I will be able to visit the St. Louis and Texas family more often. Hated the drive to Charlotte and Atlanta. Thank you!
Anonymous3350
Explorer C
It is about time......Blessed are we.....EXCITING!!!! Wonderful news thank you sweet L Lord about.
Doris_Fay
Explorer C
Hallelujah! Raise the Flag! Can't you do this SOONER? SW, my airline of choice!
Karyn
Explorer C
This is the best news regarding airline travel that I have heard in a long time! I have a son in Phoenix and one in Chicago - I live is South Carolina! Finally, a way to get them both here on Southwest!
Anonymous2889
Explorer C
Is there any hope of SW doing more flights out of DC's National Airport instead of BWI?
Anonymous3653
Explorer C
When will Southwest fly to Springfield, Missouri and to Atlanta, Georgia?
Carolyn2
Explorer C
Hip Hip Horrrrrrraaaaaayyyyyyy, I have a stranded niece and family in NC, because there is no quick way to get to Myrtle Beach to visit her from PVD. Now we can thanks to you, my only airline, because you take such good care of us, fly our bags free, and the customer service keeps me coming back. Thank you!
Stephen_DiFolco
Explorer C
Can't wait!!!! This is great news!!!! I know i'll be on board one of those flights soon.
Anonymous2080
Explorer C
Would you please consider Savannah, GA?
Marilyn_Hopkins
Explorer C
I love Southwest. Fly with them every year. I also have to fly another carrier to Syracus, NY Would love to see SW Add that city to that city.
NORM
Explorer C
The SOUTH will rise again. Nothing could be finer than Southwest in Carolina
Anonymous153
Explorer C
HOW ABOUT ADDING SOUTH BEND IN.
Anonymous3594
Explorer C
I wish Herb was still here. He'd never let your bean counters rip off customers like you do now. SAN to LAS is a perfect example. We used to get tickets for $29 and even $49 we could live with but $79 is just too much. No wonder you fly with so many empty seats there. The problem is you have no non-stop competition on that route. Also, if you really want to be taken seriously, start servicing Hawaii from the West coast as SWA not with another carrier that goes bankrupt. Finally, those same screw the customer bean counters have obviously cut the number of Rapid Reward seats. Sigh, if only Herb was still here.
Anonymous1592
Explorer C
This is simply fabulous news! Luv flying the safest, most dependable airline to a recurring destination for us!!
Anonymous2806
Explorer C
Any chance you will be flying into Hilton Head? We travel there often and would love to catch a nonstop flight from Pittsburgh.
Roxie
Explorer C
I just love your airlines, your are so customer friendly unlike so many others. We fly a lot and was hoping your could even try trips from Charlotte, N.C to Tampa, Fla & Charlotte, to Pgh., Pa. Our family is spread out to these 3 states and it would be perfect if Charlotte, N.C. could get in the loop.
Ginny
Explorer C
As long as someone else brought it up, I too would LOVE service to Shreveport LA. This would benefit my mother in so many ways. Her entire family lives in that area and we hail from RI. I myself am thrilled to death about South Carolina. Good job, Southwest!!!!
Anonymous2528
Explorer C
Hope they will come to Charlotte soon! I haven't been able to fly Southwest since I've moved here from Orlando area and have been forced to fly USAIR which I hate. Southwest is the best and I hope they come here soon!!!!!
Dick_McL
Explorer C
I hope its sooner than later and I hope its direct flights
Doug_Leins
Explorer C
You'll get at least 8 trips out of us a year to Charleston!
ircel
Explorer C
This is great news. I go to SC for business regularly and vacation, so this is a Godsend.
jkennedymd
Explorer C
I am SOOOOOOOOOO glad that SWA is servicing South Carolina! What a way to put it to Delta and USAirways for their skyway robberies of the Palmetto. Now.....if SWA can assure that they can fly nonstop to or connect through Nashville, I will be in hog heaven - given that I live in Nashville. In fact, Nashville, Orlando, Baltimore, and Chicago make sense as their initial cities, allowing for Nashville and Chicago to be their gateways to the west. That'll put a dent into having to connect through Atlanta (which, if it rains, backs up tremendously).
Cheryl_A
Explorer C
Can't WAIT for CHARLOTTE, NC, to be next! Panama City, Fl direct TO CHARLOTTE woo-hoo! will be the best way to travel from Dothan, AL!!!
Greg1111
Explorer C
This is fanstatic news and we can"t wait to book. Mrytle Beach here we come the golf in that state is unpresidented along w/the history in Charleston. This will open up fyling from the weatcoast to the southeast.
MaryAnn1
Explorer C
So Happy!!!! Love Southwest but have trouble getting to Columbia, SC. Have family there with Grandkids and would love to go more often but prices on other airlines make this impossible.
Kisha
Explorer C
Awesome my mother is moving there and we both need flights close to the the Myrtle Beach area
Anonymous2391
Explorer C
Will you be hiring any pilots? I have a friend that's considering a move.
Amy10
Explorer C
Thank you so much for expanding your services to include South Carolina....I have family in Greenville and this will make my traveling there so much easier.......THANK YOU....Amy
Nancy_Pardue
Explorer C
I love flying Southwest also. I fly frequently to Norfolk, and the trips have usually been on time or early, between Jacksonville and there. I love the free bags too. No added extras...Please keep the peanuts going though. Just because a few people have peanut allergies, doesn't mean you have to stop it for everyone...Don't let people tell you what to do when it's been working for ya.......
Anonymous2589
Explorer C
Please come to Savannah, GA, we spend winters in HH, SC and can't get our kids down to see us because it's so hard to get to. Thanks!
Diane_Lee
Explorer C
Thank you so much. This is a great addition. I HOPE you will add Knoxville Tenn soon, we have family there. Southwest is my #1 carrier.
Linda_Reutter
Explorer C
Hope my constant bugging had something to do with this!!!!! I am just thrilled that Southwest will be heading to Charleston. Will be visiting from Milwaukee, Chicago, and Ft. Myers!! My Charleston girls, husbands and grandbabies can hop on a flight and visit me. It doesn't get much better than this. Love the lowcountry and Folly Beach!
Anonymous4608
Explorer C
I was hoping that Southwest would open a route to Charleston SC because I would prefer flying with Southwest to Charleston. Now that there will be a route to Charleston with Southwest I'm ready to pack my bags for our visit to Charleston.
Anne12
Explorer C
THAT IS GREAT HOW ABOUT COMING TO GREENSBORO, NC
Anonymous3076
Explorer C
I just hope the Greenville flight has a Tampa origination schedule.
vincent_Parrine
Explorer C
I hope it will be non-stop,not like Ft.Meyers!!!!!!!! I fly into Ft.Meyers on a regular basis and the lay overs are a nightmare.
Anonymous2630
Explorer C
How close to Myrtle Beach will ur flts. go??