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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
Barbara_K_
Explorer C
Just returned from Chicago, love SW - How about Charlotte, NC
Georgia11
Explorer C
I wish you flew everywhere! My favorite airline!
J__Shinkle
Explorer C
Oh, HOORAY !!! I've been wanting to go to CHS for the longest time! If you start another service to NC I vote Asheville - the Western half of the state needs some attention!
Anonymous2880
Explorer C
Too bad it isn't much sooner!
Katie_P_
Explorer C
Thank you much for flying to the Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport! My husband and I are from Greenville, SC, but live in New England. It has been very difficult to fly home due to high airline prices. We will now be able to fly home more frequently thanks to Southwest! For those of you who haven't visited South Carolina yet...what are you waiting for?!?!
Charlie111
Explorer C
What about Myrtle Beach?
debbe-fry
Explorer C
I hope you'll come to Savannah but Charleston will work to get me to Hilton Head, SC too. Thanks for bringing SWA to the Palmetto State. Your 2011 flights can't come soon enough. A direct from Baltimore would be great.
Kat4
Explorer C
Great news. Knoxville & Chattanooga would be welcome future additions! Time to break the Delta lock in SE.
Anonymous4553
Explorer C
We have a second home in Myrtle Beach and have been flying into Raleigh on Southwest because that was as close as we could get. Hooray - we'll save about an hour each way on our trip from Seattle!!!
Lynne1
Explorer C
YEAH! Thank you Southwest. Have family in Greenville and hopefully you will fly from New York. That would be awesome!
Anonymous4207
Explorer C
Greensboro NC next please
JayW
Explorer C
Charleston...excellent! How about Savannah to make an Old South deal complete?
behoops51
Explorer C
Whoopie- Now serving Pecans!!!!!
Anonymous2157
Explorer C
YIPPEEE!! My best friend just retired from Long Island to SC. I can fly and visit her on long weekends!
Judy_-_Rock_Hil
Explorer C
I am so excited, now I can fly with you to Phoenix to see my sister Wanda and favorite brother-in-law Gary. Can't wait, wish it would be sooner.
Mary_G_1
Explorer C
THANK YOU ! THANK YOU! I have been anxiously waiting to hear that SW will be flying into SC-- NOW it would be perfect if Columbia was included--Our granddaughter will see her grandparents alot more often-It has been a headache getting a flight from BWI or Dulles to Columbia up to now!!
holbrook22
Explorer C
Good news for Charleston and Greenville - Spartanburg populations, bad news for the cities that Southwest has served for years. Now when Southwest expands it cancels existing flights and uses those assets for service at the new destination. It is not always the case of whether an existing flight is profitable or not, but rather can that aircraft be more profitable when used elsewhere. This has led to some really inconvenient schedules and the need to fly other airlines.
Moppy_D_
Explorer C
Woo Hoo!!! I need to go there and I'm not flying with any other airline.
Doris_Winter
Explorer C
For the last 17 years I have refused to fly any other airline except Southwest. I am in California and have been flying into Jacksonville FL and making a three hour driveto South Carolina to visit my only two relatives. My motto is I'll always fly to the nearest Southwest destination and drive the rest because Southwest is the best and only way to fly. I am so excited to know that in 2011 we will be "in the state". Thank you, thank you not only from me, but my brother who has to make the drive since I don't drive at night so you are a God-send once again. Keep up the great service. Your biggest fan who never has more than one light bag that at nearly 70 can lift it in and out of the overhead luggage compartment.
Anonymous1401
Explorer C
Great - Remember Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand area.
Leroy_Lopez
Explorer C
Great news!!!! My son will be sent to Fort Jackson on July 26th for basic training, and he will be there until the begining og January. I hope you are flying there by then so that we can attend his graduation.
Anonymous2909
Explorer C
I am so excited about Southwest adding service to Charleston, SC. Hopefully PHL to Charleston will be one of your routes. We are moving to Beaufort, SC and were hoping Southwest would ultimately fly there so all of our friends and family can visit!!!
BigEM
Explorer C
This is wonderful news. I have a brother in SC and have long bemoaned the lack of SW service there. I'm thrilled and my entire family will be thrilled.
Anonymous4016
Explorer C
I have family in Augusta, when does this service begin for that city?
Jane21
Explorer C
PLEASE book me round trip on the first flights from Boston to Greennville/Spartanburg.
Frank1111
Explorer C
great news but how about long island mac . to myrtle beach.
Anonymous798
Explorer C
Please, Please, Please can you fly to Myrtle Beach from Islip Thank You Cindyy Monday, June 14th, 2010
Anonymous4525
Explorer C
Thanks, but my daughtwer is moving from Geenville to Charlotte, so I don't need it there anymore.
Lorraine
Explorer C
Thank you, thank you. My daughter and grandchildren are in Charleston and it has been almost impossible to get there easily from the LA area. Flying Southwest will make me a steady customer!
Anonymous2777
Explorer C
We have a LOT of business travel scheduled and happening right now. I think you are going to miss out, if there is not a way to start this before 2011. Just saying.
Sheryl_Morelli
Explorer C
Wahoo! We vacation in Pawley's Island, SC every summer from Seattle, WA. The best deals are always on Southwest; will be nice to fly into somewhere closer than Raleigh, NC! Thank You!
Anonymous2865
Explorer C
So excited to have you come to CHARLESTON. We couldn't be happier! Thank you very much.
Midwest_Golfer
Explorer C
What about Myrtle Beach? Midwest golfers would LUV a way to get to Myrtle Beach via Southwest.
Suzann
Explorer C
This is great news! Can't wait to fly from Little Rock to Charleston, one of my favorite cities. As you plan for the future, I hope you are considering a direct flight between Little Rock and Nashville, TN.
Long_Island
Explorer C
What about Long Island to Myrtle Beach??? They want us to use Mac Arthur Airport but it doesn't go anywhere, especially direct.
Anonymous3745
Explorer C
I wish I this had come sooner. I am very excited that Southwest had added Greenville/Spartanburg to their service cities.
Margie2
Explorer C
I'm so excited for Southwest to come to Charleston. My husband is stationed here and now we can fly home for the weekend for under $500. Thank you!!
Anonymous4098
Explorer C
I am so excited. I go there once a year now maybe I can go more. Thanks Southwest. Now get me better fares to Spokane. I go there 5 or 6 times a year and your fare keeps going up and I am having to fly another airlines and drive 2 hours. Can't wait to go to SC as soon as you get it going... Sugar
Anonymous2964
Explorer C
how about going to Myrtle Beach?
Anonymous416
Explorer C
hi there: count me out. south carolina is about the worst excuse for a state as i can imagine not visiting. just start with the racist comments by their legislators and continue on. most of your future passengers will hopefully be leaving, forever. jmk
Bianca_Stelly
Explorer C
I'm so excited about your decision to addition. Fantastic. My family and I fly Southwest at least 8 flights a year. It is always my first choice because of it's economical prices, great service and free bags. Thank you for branching out.
linda_g
Explorer C
Not Charlotte? 😞
Anonymous716
Explorer C
No more having to drive to Jacksonville. HooRay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve_Ewing
Explorer C
OUTSTANDING! I've been going to SC off and on for ~10 years, having to travel via brands x or y- this is great news to finally see SouthWest in the southeast.
MarkW
Explorer C
FINALLY...airfare from CHS at an affordable price...long overdue.. THANK YOU THANK YOU... airfares to nashville and tulsa are over 600 for a round trip with other carriers... let the games begin!!!
Kansas_Mom
Explorer C
THANK YOU THANK YOU, so very much. We will be looking for flghts in the near future!
Dianne_Daley
Explorer C
Do you or will you have air travel coming in/out of Rockford Airport (Illinois)? Dianne
GM
Explorer C
I work in South Carolina on a regular basis and hope you have nonstop from Tampa, FL
GM
Explorer C
Exciting news! I work in South Carolina on a regular basis and hope you have nonstop from Tampa, FL to GSP... Thank you for continuing to expand... I have enjoyed the additions of Denver and Minneapolis....
Deb16
Explorer C
Why not fly to Myrtle Beach, SC ? Do you realize how many people from the Chicago area go there every year?? LOVE SOUTHWEST! Wish I could fly with you EVERYWHERE!