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

[Popal]

PTL. Just completed a trip to Greenville. Had to fly another carrier to ATL and then rent a car to complete the trip to Greenville. Service and fees on the other carrier stunk not to mention the hassle at ATL !!! Thanks Southwest!!!

[Anonymous2935]

Finally!!! Can't wait for details - it's a long drive down there!!!

[PatAnonymous]

Please come to Wilmington, NC also - we always fly with you

[JMurphy]

The best keeps getting better! Thanks for adding Charleston. How about Savannah Georgia next??

[Shelley3]

I'm so excited! Charleston is a great town! More people will discover it through SWAir. My son lives there and I can't wait to be able to fly SW down! There have been few choices to fly in and out of CHS!

[Paige1]

Yahooo! this is awesome news. Thanks SW, you can't get to South Carolina fast enough. My brother lives down there and its always SO expensive to get there. Not anymore! Do you know when in 2011? Thanks for being the BEST airline. Keep it up. Paige

[Cheryl_Oliver]

Glad to hear about Greenville & Charleston, SC! How about adding Atlanta, GA; Montgomery, AL ; and Columbus, GA? I know tons of people who would be happy to see those additions. My boss flys all over the country all of the time, and entirely on Southwest. We would love to put him on Southwest into Atlanta, GA, but unfortunatey have to use other airlines when he travels there. That is a lot of lost revenue for Southwest!

[Ray5]

I see several comments asking SWA to come to GSO.....Please Please Please come to GSO, you will not be taking away from your RDU passengers however you would be taking US air passengers from both GSO and Charlotte markets. What a shame.......huh. Please don't take my word for it do your own markets analysis now that Fed-x and Honda are in town. More people are moving to this area every day especially those with family in markets up north(where you have great coverage) I am an A-16 regular and absolutely love Southwest, Please keep up the good work and Thank you

[Anonymous1079]

Why not Mrytle Beach as well?

[JJ4]

I'm so happy! I live in Orlando and I have family in Charleston. It's a 6 hour grueling drive that I won't miss. Not only that, but my sister & I will be able to fly around the country to visit other places!!

[Belinda_Stanley]

THANK YOU! I live in Houston and have been flying Southwest forever. My daughter and grandchildren live in Bethesda, so I have flown to Baltimore MANY times the last two years. This is a miracle! They are moving to Beaufort, SC so this is PERFECT! I LUV SW!

[Anonymous2690]

Soooo glad SW is coming to Charleston !!!!!! I am from Charleston , my son is in San Diego..... Welcome to Charleston.....

[Anonymous1274]

I think Spartenburg is like an hour from Charlotte, but maybe Charlotte, NC could be next!

[Jo_Norton]

Thank you !!! I am so excited that you are adding Greenville, S.C.!! My son and grandaughter live there and it will make it so much more affordable to visit. SWA - You're the best!

[Jo_Anne]

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina.... unless it was my favorite airlines (SWA) in my favorite little southern airport - Savannah, GA. It is the sweetest, most laid back airport ever and just a hop/skip and jump to South Carolina! If all goes well with CHS and GSP (and I'm sure it will!) please consider SAV next!

[Anonymous1908]

We love to go to Hilton Head Island and will now fly PIT to CHS. No more flying to ATL and driving 5 hours to HHI.

[Nancy_Markham]

Thank you SW! For 16 years I've had to use other carriers to visit my family in Summerville - outside of Charleston. Now I can travel with my favorate airline.

[Maggie_Cole]

Great. When are you going to go to North Carolina, Asheville, NC. It is one of the great small ciities in the country, even been on CBS Sunday morning. It is so hard to get there and I just don't like flying other airlines. PLEASE GO TO NC NEXT.

[Jan_McCarthy]

This is fantastic, but I WISH you all would fly somewhere closer to the Memphis area--the other airlines are taking such advantage of airline customers with high rates--we drive to Jackson Ms and still save money but it would be nice to have SW closer!. Southwest is definitely the best airline going!

[Brenda_Martinez]

Yeah! Now let's work on Georgia. I know there were some sort of political problems years ago, but I hate flying that other airline that starts with an A and ends with an N.

[Anonymous3628]

No service planned to Columbia, SC? Boohoo! But still, soooo happy to see something closer - it's now an option for us!

[Anonymous3140]

GREAT...now if you would just get Georgia too.

[Squirleyb]

Anytime Southwest expands it's service, that is good news to me. I often plan my vacations based on where Southwest goes, since I only fly other airlines if I absolutely have to. I have an Aunt & Uncle in South Carolina - so YAY Southwest!!!

[Anonymous341]

Yes, now I can visit all of my family in other states without flying one of those awful airlines that charges for bags! I'm a professor who cites Southwest as one of the best companies in the country for service to its customers, care for its employees, and ethical leadership to my classes.

[Anonymous3679]

Great to hear this news I will def fly southwest to South Carolina

[Tami2]

Awesome! I've wanted to visit Charleston for a looong time, now we can fly and save the hassle of driving! Can't wait 🙂

[Anonymous2791]

Hope you go a little further west. I just made arrangements to Minneapolis, but have to drive to Rapid City South Dakota because you do not fly there. I really enjoy flying Southwest and only book Southwest if available. It's the best all around service from Cockpit Crew, flight crew, ground crew.

[Shawn4]

I can not wait to book my fllight.

[Mom___Grandma]

Can't wait to fly to Greenville-Spartanburg! I love Southwest and even happier now to add Spartanburg---home of my Grandson

[Anonymous1554]

Good to hear about Charleston and Greenville, South Carolina, but would love to see them stop in Myrtle Beach!

[bob_30]

How about Madison WI next !!!

[Anne_V_]

I am thrilled that you are going into South Carolina. Not only for business purposes but we love Charleston and this is a long drive for us down the east coast. So a short flight on our favorite airline is very welcome

[Beth13]

I am soooo happy that SW is coming to Charleston. I fly a lot back and forth from Austin, TX to Charleston. It will be so nice to fly at a cheaper price. Thanks so much!

[Anonymous2290]

Halleluhah!!!

[Anonymous2290]

Halleluhah!!! Let me know immediately when you will begain

[Melody_G]

Way to go SW! Greenville-Spartanburg gets me closer to Charlotte, NC which I HOPE is high on the list soon after. Love to fly SW and use it everywhere except the Carolinas so far, glad that is about to change.

[Jim_in_DE]

Good job, Guys! Keep getting closer to Charlotte!!!!!

[Anonymous2574]

Will you ever serve Richmond, VA? Have been waiting for years.

[Donna3]

That's wonderful news. We have family there, so I'm excited to be able to fly SW. You're a great airline.

[Huff]

Finally Southwest is servicing South Carolina would love to see you servicing Myrtle Beach South Carolina so difficult to get service there and a large tourist attraction. I think it is great gets me closer to Myrtle Beach hope to see Southwest add that soon .

[Michele4]

I travel exclusively on Southwest. It's so easy and convenient leaving out of Long Island, New York McArthur Airlport. My Mom lives in West Palm Beach and it's so easy traveling both ways. My husband and I purchased a home in the Myrtle Beach area and was wondering when you guys were going to go there. Do you have any plans landing at the Myrtle Beach International Airport. Charleston is still better than the 12-14 hour drive from New York. Landing in Myrtle Beach would even be better.

[Anonymous3001]

Flights to Myrtle Beach SC would be great.

[Donna_Kauth]

Every time there was an announcement that a low cost airline was coming to Charleston, I was hoping it would be Southwest. I'm so thrilled - now we can fly back to Long Island, NY. Thank you, thank you, thank you Southwest for coming to rescue us. Wish you were here now!!!!

[Anonymous3102]

Just can't wait to fly from PHL to CHS on Southwest!!! USAirways flys little planes (Republic and Air Wisonsin) that are frequently late or cancelled and very, very expensive. Delta thru hotlanta is no bargain either. This also really beats the long drive from the city of brotherly love to the low country's barrier islands (12 hrs) or the flights to RDU and JAX. The only sad folks are the rental car partners in RDU and JAX (4-5 hrs) away. Please keep us up to date on your progress and do everything possible to expedite your arrival in CHS!! We have tons of friends in PHL who spend vacation time in the Charleston area and all agree it would be so really cool to be ticketed on that first flight. The CHS-PHL route will also serve business travel well. You guys are awesome - keep up the good work!

[Anonymous4438]

My sisters live near Greenville/Spartanburg airport in SC. I hope that Southwest will be offering flights out of MacArthur Airport in Islip, New York with good prices. We usually fly into Charlotte, NC just to get a better deal but it is an 1 1/2 hours from their home, whereas GSP is only 20 mins.

[Brenda_Conaghan]

Am estatic - love your airlines - flew as a flight attendant with Delta and TWA - and when I wanted to fly home to Augusta, GA, I had to fly Delta and always go thru ATLANTA. Just flew that trip from KC to AGS in January - paid way too much for that trip - looking forward to "riding" home with SWA!! And, now having to go through ATL for a change ---

[Doris]

Southwest is my favorite airline and I use it all the time to Florida and Arizona. I have been waiting for a long time for you to add South Carolina but I would prefer Columbia as my family lives in Aiken and that would be so much closer then Charleston or Greenville. To get inexpensive fares now, I have to use another airline to Atlanta and take a shuttle van to Augusta, GA where they will pick me up. Please give Columbia some consideration. Thank you.

[Tess_Krajci]

I have been wanting to go to South Carolina for some time. Now Southwest has given me a nudge. Can't wait, Southwest!!!!

[Sharon12]

Wonderful news. My daughter and son-in-law are moving to Charleston in July 2010. This means more trips on Southwest. THANK YOU THANK YOU.

[Anonymous2439]

Southwest should really look into Myrtle Beach. Charleston is good but Myrtle would be AMAZING!!!!