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

[Bernadette_Rush]

I've been wondering, and even asked reservation agents how I would travel to my daughter and son-in-laws new home in Ga. I previously flew Phila. to Ral/Dur, where they used to live, always on SW. At least I'll be able to rent a car and drive there, that is until you get into the "Peach State". CAN't WAIT!!!!!! A Loyal SW fan (: BRush

[helenD]

We just returned from a trip to the coast of So. Carolina and fell in love! Now we are looking for a 2nd home there. This news of SW soon flying that way is just another "sign" that So. Carolina is where we want to be!! Look forward to many years of flying coast to coast with our favorite airline: SW!

[Anonymous2633]

WE ARE VERY PLEASED THAT YOU ARE SCHEDULING FLIGHTS TO SOUTH CAROLINA, AS WE HAVE FAMILY THERE. HOWEVER, DISAPPOINTED YOU STOPPED FLYING NON STOP FROM ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA TO NASHVILLE AS WE HAVE FAMILY THERE. PLEASE "SPLAIN."

[Michael_Cerda]

I live in San Diego and I have a very dear friend that now lives in Charleston, and he has been ask- ing me to come out to visit for the past 3 years.. I always fly Southwest, but there were no flights on Southwest going to SC. Now I can go and see my friend Willie. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Judy_K]

This is great. I have been wanted to go back to Isle of Palms!!!! Now I can.

[Anne-Marie]

Wonderful news since my son will be attending The Citadel. We fly Southwest whenever we can. Just hoping the service could start before Thanksgiving 2010.

[Linda_C_]

LOVE that Southwest will take the plunge and take us from Calif, to Charleston, S.C. My daughter lives there and now I will be able to visit her, and travel in Comfort. I travel Southwest from Sacramento to San Diego, so this will be wonderful . THANK YOU SOUTHWEST AIRLINES!!!!!

[Alicia7]

YAY!! I have been waiting for this!!! Wish it was to Columbia but that's close enough!!

[Debbie_Adams]

Hello! Please allow the flight from Salt Lake City to Phoenix or Tucson to be a $59 special. There are alot of people who fly back and forth between Utah and AZ. I would love to be able to see my Grandchildren more! Thank you! Sincerely, Debbie Adams

[dielliavissia]

thank you , were taking a cruise via carnival to the bahamas leaving charleston sc and the flights are over 800.00 for my 15 yo son and myself round trip. im so glad your extending your service to charleston sc. im positive we will get a great deal now at a much lower price. WAY TO GO SOUTHWEST AIRLINES!!!!

[Rosemarie_Incro]

I hope you plan to make it possible for us that use PDX to make good connections Charleston and Greenville-Spartanburg SC. We would much rather spend our money with you. This is the only other place we where we can't use SWA. Thanks can't wait.

[Gloria11]

Thank you so much but when are you going to service Myrtle Beach Sc

[paul_k_]

Awesome! We've been asking and hoping Southwest would fly to Greenville Spartanburg looks like you finally listened. Wow you guys are the greatest. We always try to fly Southwest as much as possible looks like my commute from Philly is goingto be easier. Thanks Southwest!!!

[Inita_Goins]

YES Thank you

[Lee_Pearlmutter]

Tallahasee would be great. With the merger of Delta-Northwest, flights have been reduced to TLH.

[Jim_S_1]

GREAT!! Nashville to Charleston PLEASE!!!!!

[Frequent_Flier_]

Please think of opening in Daytona Beach, Florida. We really need you there!!!

[Anonymous2834]

Please Sarasota

[Anonymous3451]

IOWA needs Southwest!!! Cedar Rapids-Iowa City and DesMoines!

[Niles_F__Bell]

When is Southwest Airlines going to fly into Syracuse New York on a routine basis. Going two hours west to Buffalo or two hours east to Albany, to fly with Southwest Airlines, certainly isn't an ideal way to start or end a trip.

[Carmen1]

I LOVE SWA!!! We currently drive to Raleigh from Charlotte, NC but Spartanburg will definitely save us some driving time. My prayer request: Please come to Charlotte, NC and humble the other airlines. ........ a SWA customer forever!!!

[R__Winkler]

AWESOME! I have family in NC, so having Southwest access from Greenville/Spartanburg is fantastic as it's MUCH closer to my family than the Southwest service into Raleigh, NC. Great News!

[Jo_Schultz]

How about coming into Myrtle Beach, South Carolina? We're from the Northeast, (Albany, NY, ) & Myrtle Beach is a very popular destination for the Northeast!

[John_H]

Wonderful news. Just flew you last week and you make it such a joy. Now, what about trying us out at Greensboro NC at GSO? We need you badly! John H

[ALC]

I am so excited that you all are on the way to SC. I currently have to drive 4 hours each way to get to RDU to catch a flight...Thank you for choosing Greenville! Annie

[Anonymous1675]

we would like to see flights to myrtle beach sc. it is considered a family vacation hot spot. now there is only a few airlines who fly to myrtle beach, otherwise they fly to charleston or hilton head and thats anywhere from a 3-5 hr drive from myrtle beach!!!

[Johnny_C]

We NEED you in Greensboro. We fly SW all the time but have to drive to Raleigh to board. It's hard on the one dropping you off and having to drive back, usually in the middle of the night, to pick you up.

[Georgina_Callah]

Great news for SC how about flying out of Sarasota, Florida. A nice airport that could use more business. We have to fly out of Tampa or Ft.Myers. You would definitely have a lot of people flying if you chose this airport.

[carol_rumchak]

We are so excited about being able to fly Southwest to Charleston. We have a beach home on Seabrook Island and family in Mount Pleasant. This is great news. When does it start----Not soon enough.

[Detroit]

YAHOO!!! Sooner-please!!!! The more cities Southwest services, the better for all of us.

[Donna_C1]

First email I read today and it will just make my day!! We vacation in SC and love SWA! We've been waiting a looooooooog time for this.................

[James_Adair]

Thank you Southwest Airlines. I have just received my priority boarding award for one year. I fly SW at least 2-3 times per month to more than 1/2 of their 65 gateways. It is a great help to my company botton line. thanks again Jim Adair

[Bob_Schramm]

Time to set up a FaceBook Group "Refuse To Use--Any Airport or Airline Taking Subsidies". Yea Southwest Airlines for respecting the free market.

[Karen_Zollinger]

Thank you so much, this will make it so much easier to visit family, what about flying into Columbia SC.

[Anonymous708]

Great news!!! How about trying out Springfield, MO or Branson, MO

[Sandy3]

As my daughter begins graduate school at Univ. of S. Carolina --this could not be better news to your loyal Southwest travelers. But...why aren't you flying to the capital - Columbia???? And - YES PLEASE ADD Knoxville!

[David7]

Flights to Greeneville will be great. That's getting a lot closer to where we hope you will eventually serve (and very soon), and that's ATLANTA !!! SWA needs to get into "Hot-lanta." To us, that's the biggest "hole" in your service map. Please go there. For now, thanks for getting into S. C.

[Anonymous224]

It would be wonderful if you could fly to Myrtle Beach. Like Orlando it has lots of tourists that would use SW.

[Betty6]

We are delighted to hear this news! Sooner would be BETTER. We want to be on the first trip!!

[Chris_O]

It is great news that Southwest is finally going to have flights to SC. We have family near Columbia. I am visiting family in July and had to use another airline to fly to Charlotte, NC to get a decent fare rate and my family has to drive to NC to pick me up and then return me to that airport. Now I will be able to visit my family more often. We always use Southwest and have Rapid Rewards. Thank you.

[Anonymous732]

What Wonderful news ! My favorite airline finally going to one of my favorite places . Thank you Southwest ! Paula

[Barbara_T]

This must mean NC is next. I will be so excited. Yea Charlotte...here comes Nana.

[jedivader]

Glad SWA is finally adding a new state that is not VA, PA, or NY. Now, the next place they add I hope is in Montana, Wyoming, or the Dakotas.

[Carol_Hiller]

I, too, am excited. My daughter is transferring to Charlston in Sept. Will be easier for me to travel there and spent time with my only grandchild. Hope there's a direct flight from Providence (or Boston). And, of course, I like your prices and luggage policy! Mimi

[Alice_Wolfe]

Awesome . . . maybe now my kids will come to visit before we move from here. Been waiting for 6 years. We're moving to Tampa to have access to SW to visit our kids in the Midwest & Northeast. Now let's add Milwaukee. Thanks much SW.

[Anonymous2066]

Will there be routes from Tucson. Always travel SW, looking for new places to go

[Shakin]

This is great news! I never get tired of visiting Charleston, great city!! We hope SW can do more direct flights out of CMH (columbus,OH). We pay dearly for connections since we are second leg city most of the time. HEY SW - How about a flight to Maine? Preferably Portland!!!!! thanks for great service and we will help you continue to grow and add more options.

[Bob_L]

Finally!!!!!!! We have flown Southwest when we lived in Cleveland and Nashville. Have been asking Southwest for years to come to SC (We live in Myrtle Beach now) only a 90 minute ride to Charleston. Thanks you again!!!

[Elisander_Velaz]

I think thats a great idea i dont live in south carolina but it will be great to visit and i grad that the LUV airline is keeping expanding more cities and states in the nation that is wonderfulllllllllllllllllllllll. keep up the grate job . you guys or my favorate AIRLINE . grab your bags ITS ON . YES........... YOURS TRULLY CUSTOMER ELISANDER. JUNE19 2010

[Patty_Doyle]

We love Charleston, SC. However I must echo the sentiments of those who responded with a plea for Southwest to fly to Greensboro/High Point. Totally selfish interests; we have family there. Thanks,