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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
Anonymous2506
Explorer C
I love Southwest Airlines. When are you going to start flying to Pensacola Florida or Mobile Alabama? Please hurry, we need to see the grandchildren more often.
Donna1111
Explorer C
can't wait to book a flight-daughter lives in charleston-this is the best news
Anonymous423
Explorer C
How about Myrtle Beach?! From either PVD or BDL? Would be great for all those golfers, family vacations-----not to mention my sister! Now we have to go to NYC and fly Spirit--a long drive from Eastern CT----
Jae_Stewart
Explorer C
I hope you consider adding Laughlin/Bullhead City Intern'l Airport to your cities. The area serves Bullhead City AZ, Laughlin NV, Kingman AZ, Ft. Mohave AZ, Needles,CA, and Lake Havasu AZ. This area has a population of 300,000+ people and 1/3 are snowbirds that fly a few times a year, like me. (Half the pop. is over 60) Please think about it. Just try it and see how profitable it can be. Thanks Jae Stewart
Anonymous1931
Explorer C
GREENSBORO, NC.....PLEASE.
Anonymous443
Explorer C
This is great news. Out of loyalty to Southwest, I actually flew into Birmingham once and Raleigh once, and drove to Greenville. Can't wait!
Debbie_L1
Explorer C
Hurray for Southwest service from Nashville to Greenville, SC. Now my friends and family can travel to and from Greenville to Nashville... Debbie L.
Susan_-_Myrtle_
Explorer C
This is wonderful! We are looking forward to SW flying from and to Charleston. We love SW but hate driving all the way to Raleigh, NC for the flights. We will look forward to more information on the flights and start dates.
TLK
Explorer C
This is the BEST news yet, now getting home from Oakland on my fav airline will be a breeze. How about Savannah ? Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elaine_Reed
Explorer C
Have son & daughter in law moving to South Carolina.....Interested in flights.
Waiting_patient
Explorer C
How about Montana - the Big Sky Country. A lot of space but SO hard to get in and out of.
Rebecca6
Explorer C
This is very good news for those of us who live in South Carolina. I have been hoping for you to add South Carolina to your list of cities served. Any chance for expansion to Savannah, GA, too?
Marion2
Explorer C
SWA you have done it again - service to Charleston - YEAH!! Now, let's get working on flights in and out of Knoxville TN - Knoxville to Charleston what more can I ask!!
Anonymous1097
Explorer C
Great news....Charleston,SC is my favorite city...and Southwest my favorite friendly dependable airline!!!! Please have direct flights there from BWI.
g_ms_ellen
Explorer C
really wish you were flying into charlotte where family lives
Bart2
Explorer C
Yabidabadoo!
golf_player
Explorer C
Hey SW, LIVE IN THE TAMPA AREA, BUT LOVE TO PLAY GOLF IN MYRTLE BEACH. WHEN WILL YOU BE GOING THERE.
Anonymous4434
Explorer C
Next time think of Huntsville, Alabama.
Dori
Explorer C
Hip Hip Hooray!! I fly into GSP once a month. Continue to bundle your fares. It's much easier than the "other" airline I use to fly into GSP. I also travel with my dog and I'm glad that you can accomodate her.
Anonymous670
Explorer C
Great news for snow birds like us from western NC. Looking forward to flying GSP to RSW in the future.
Anonymous1157
Explorer C
What about Columbia, SC ? (or, at least Charlotte, NC) When my family was in Buffalo, NY I traveled from Burbank to Buffalo, often stopping for a few days in Las Vegas. But now my family is in Columbia, so I have to use other airlines. Looks like I'll still have to use other airlines to visit them.
LRS_Austin__TX
Explorer C
Outstanding! Hurry up!!
Rev__Larry_Hend
Explorer C
We love Charleston and South Carolina. Our son David is an attorney in Charleston, SC/
Anonymous2171
Explorer C
Thanks so much for coming to Greenville, SC. Now I can visit my daughter in CA without breaking my bank account!
Mary_Goodwin
Explorer C
So happy you're going to S Carolina but am still waiting for service to western Michigan-Grand Rapids has upgraded their local airport (similar to my "home airport" at Islip, Long Island, NY. We love Southwest so much, we fly to Midway and rent a car to visit our son in Grand Rapids (3-1/2 hour drive). When we buy him a tickets for him to come home we buy him a train ticket to get to Midway. The other carriers at GRR are more expensive and charge for luggage-ugh! Also, when are you going to Des Moines, IA? Have to fly to Omaha (2hrs away) to visit family in Des Moines. We always fly SWA whenever possible because you are so reasonable and reliable. SWA is one of only 2 airlines that I let my 88 yr old mom fly on alone because you take such good care of her. She's n avid traveler, visiting family all over the country! Keep adding more destinations, there's lots more places I want to visit!
Suzanne9
Explorer C
Yahoo! Right now it is cheaper to fly to Las Vegas from Jax than it is to Charleston. Charleston is SO in need of a low cost air carrier. My grandkids live there!
Sherry2
Explorer C
Yoohoo!!! We are already saving our monies so we can fly SWA from here on out! Welcome!!!
Mac_McTeer
Explorer C
It is so great that you are coming to both Charleston and Charlotte. I hope you have some direct flights to Austin due to the big computer industry and music capitol there. Hope you will publish your routes from Charleston sooon so we can start making plans for future trips in '11.
Dave_Greve
Explorer C
Looking forward to getting back with Southwest???? and working in Charleston SC??? Hint Hint. Thank you guys and love you.
Becky5
Explorer C
Thank you for service into Greenville! I would like to put in my vote for Des Moines also!
Leila_Daniels
Explorer C
I have waited for 32 years for Southwest to fly directly into Charleston, SC. I live in El Paso, TX. I am so excited about the possibilities of flying Southwest to Charleston, my home town.
Gloria_Bishop
Explorer C
What GREAT news!! No more flying into Charlotte and catching a puddle jumper to Greenville when I visit my daughter. Let's make it early 2011!! I love SW!!
Audrey_Bell
Explorer C
I,ve had to fly other not so good airlines to visit my mom in Spartrnburg, S.C.. I'am so happy I can now fly my favorite Airline, South West. Can,t waite Hurry!
ted_and_sheila
Explorer C
great decision so many seniors here in myrtle beach usually have to drive to raleigh or jacksonville so come get it going srs travel lots we take five or six trips a year just came back fm yosemite and san fran after flying out of jacksonville will be traveling end of june and end of july for sure would love to use southwest
Anonymous3690
Explorer C
How about a connection to Myrtle Beach???? Please....
Marilyn7
Explorer C
Wonderful news. I only fly Southwest unless you don't service a city I must travel to. It will be so nice to fly to the beautiful city of Charleston with a short drive to visit Savannah and my friends on Hilton Hilton Island. Thank you. I'm ready to plan a trip for 2011 as soon as you announce you are taking reservations. I'm thrilled.
Erica5
Explorer C
This is very exciting news! Southwest is my favorite airline, and now I have an easier way to see my brother! Thank you thank you!
Anonymous2437
Explorer C
We are delighted to hear about Southwest starting flights to South Carolina. Does Southwest have any plans to operate flights to and from Bloomington, Illinois?
charlie_c_
Explorer C
my son just moved to Salem s.c. and we are ready to visit them and are overjoyed to get the news that we will be able to fly on our favorite airline. Thank you!!
Carolyn_in_Reno
Explorer C
Just got back from a trip to Charleston.....sure wish Southwest had already had these flights established. Guess we'll just have to go back, on our favorite airline!
bob_essigman
Explorer C
How about service to newburgh, ( stewart ) N. Y. It's about 2 hours north of the city and 2 hours south of Albany. Great Airport. Clean. Underutilized. Very few carriers. Operated by the Port Authority of New York.
Patrick2
Explorer C
We live near Wilmingon, NC and currently drive 170 miles to Raleigh for our Southwest flights. We'd love to see you come in to Wilmington. We also fly to Hawaii oftern from the west coast, and would really love to see you get into the Hawaii market. You would really make a significant contribution to the Hawaii economy by providing low cost, high quality air service to the islands. No one else is doing it, which dramatically limits the average traveller's ability to enjoy Hawaii.. Southwest is the best airline in the USA by far. Keep up the great work.
Texas_Transplan
Explorer C
Glad to see Southwest fly to GSP! I can then drive to Atlanta from there instead of BHM. For the previous comments, negotiations to fly into ATL collapsed. I agree with another comment--fly into Savannah/Hilton Head instead of worrying about ATL.
Anonymous941
Explorer C
Have flown with Southwest out of Omaha, St. Louis and Kansas. Love flying with you! Would use it alot more out of DesMoines Ia.
Roxanne
Explorer C
We LOVE Southwest. Wouldn't you know, we just got back from Charleston! But we DID fly Southwest into Raleigh/Durham and drove down!! Yay for SW. I wish you would consider Monterey, California next!!! Or Mexico from one of your California cities! Or Hawaii. Just like a child, give us a little, we want MORE!!
JohnJ
Explorer C
Love to see Southwest fly to Chattanooga TN soon as well!
Anonymous3081
Explorer C
Sarasota,FL anytime soon?
Dan3
Explorer C
I read a story 2 weeks ago while in Wichita, Kansas that service may start there as well...any truth to that?
Steve_-_Pittsbu
Explorer C
CHS - Fantastic. A gorgeous city with true Southern charm I have always wanted to take my wife to visit. Now I'll be able to on my favorite airline. (Any my bags fly free!)
Sharalynn
Explorer C
Glad to see you expanding. I really hope that in the near future you will be able to include North Carolina. Really want to go check out the NASCAR Hall of Fame.