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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
Anonymous1450
Explorer C
yep been waiting a long time. I am from columbia , but will drive from charleston or greenville
Anonymous2167
Explorer C
You are getting closer to Charlotte, but not in Charlotte yet. When will that happen? Wish GSP connection was already available.
Marty_B_
Explorer C
I am SO GLAD you are adding SC. We love to visit Savannah GA but have to fly into Jacksonville. When are you adding GA? And when will you partner with someone again for Hawaii? We LUV Southwest!!!!! Best airline in the air!!!
Anonymous3349
Explorer C
Awesome! Hilton Head, S.C., or Savannah, GA., next , , , please, please! We love Southwest! Lots of people flying into Hilton Head!
Anonymous4095
Explorer C
Now that you are in SC can you extend your coverage to Savanah GA?
slo
Explorer C
I'll be on one of the first flights to SC - been waiting for this!
deborah_frankli
Explorer C
I fly approximately 40 weeks out of the year and can say without reservation, "SOUTHWEST IS BEST!!!" Southwest is the only carrier that cares about its customers as I've experienced numerous times interacting with customer service with SWA and other US carriers. 1. SWA makes changing flights simple and very cost effective--other carriers charge $150 simply to alter the ticket this does not include the change in fare. 2. No baggage fees. 3. It's fun to travel--All employees are friendly and usually have a sense of humor. 4. Rarely are there delays, but when there are, SWA makes extra efforts to get their customers on time to their next flights. 5. And now, another state added to their destinations...a state I travel and no longer have to use the other airlines...Thank you, Southwest! You are BEST!
Wanda1
Explorer C
Glad to see you going to Greenville-Spartanburg SC. Our family reunion is held in Spartanburg and I have a lot of family there. This is GREAT NEWS !!! Southwest is our number one airline for flying. You made my day!
Anonymous2504
Explorer C
Fly to Charlotte, NC please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mary_S
Explorer C
Hope you will have a flight from Charleston to Las Vegas.
Pat_Glaster
Explorer C
I am so glad that you will be going into Charleston, S.C. Thank YOU! This is some wonderful news. I have family in South Carolina.
Anonymous2071
Explorer C
Please, Please bring back direct flights from Columbus, OH to Philly!!!
Red
Explorer C
This is wonderful news. Now how about looking at Melbourne, Florida - it's a great airport!!!
Anonymous2752
Explorer C
Our oldest son is leaving for PC college in Clinton SC and we live in Tampa Florida and theirs only is really only one airline from here to greenville. It's allegiant air and their dates are not very flexible.. We are so excited to know southwest will be going their since our son will be playing D-1 football for them this fall. Greenville is only 30 minutes from his college.... We are all southwest flyers...
Anonymous417
Explorer C
Good news for those of us in the D.C.-Maryland area who would like to visit South Carolina and have put off doing so because of crummy or nonexistent service to Charleston. Three cheers for Southwest, always my airline of choice. A fan in Annapolis
Dean_Hagen
Explorer C
I am very excited that you will be having service into Charleston,South Carolina. It couldnt come at a better time. Big Thanks
The_Prato_s
Explorer C
We have a timeshare on Hilton Head and would love to be able to drive from Charleston...that would be a great city to spend a night or twol
PJ4
Explorer C
That is fantastic, will use the Charleston NC location but the one I am REALLY looking for is going to DAYTON, OHIO. That one I would use allot, so please consider sending SW Airlines to Dayton, Ohio. Love Ya SW, your great!
Anonymous1196
Explorer C
Please come to Atlantic City
Anonymous1933
Explorer C
This is the best news I've heard in a long time. We love Southwest, and having lived in both the Detroit, and St. Louis areas have learned to take for granted Southwest's service, and ease of travel. GSP is a pleasant airport, however flights to DTW, or STL are difficult from there, and we sometimes need to choose to drive to ATL, or CLT before flying out. We're very excited
Anonymous370
Explorer C
Getting close....I have been waiting for you to fly to Charlotte, NC>>>>How about it?
JHH_5th
Explorer C
This is one of my favorite travel destinations for business. Glad to see I can start doing these trips on SW! Jay
pkdann
Explorer C
Leave it to Southwest to fill the void. We love flying Southwest and will definitely be traveling to South Carolina when the flights are available! We finally can visit relatives there without the hassle of auto travel!
born_in_Calif__
Explorer C
What a Smart (and awesome) Move! With the relocation of Boeing and other top companies, SC really needs to expand it's accessibility!! We hope SouthWest remains "user-friendly", especially in the current economic climate. It has always been a pleasure to book online with SouthWest because the website is very straight-forward and fast! Thank you for coming to Charleston, SC!
pat_olsson
Explorer C
Any chance you will be flying into Myrtle Beach?
Anonymous3057
Explorer C
We have a daughter, Grandchildren a brother and several other family members in Hilton Head. Charlston is nice but Savannah would be perfect. Is there anything in the works for that airport yet or ever?
mike_sgobbo
Explorer C
thank god!!!! please start charleston sooner than soon. jacksonville is the closest southwest airport to charleston and that trip really stinks. we fly frequently to chicago, boston, and dulles from charleston. tired of the ridiculous fares and fees of the airlines that service this area. get here pronto.
Sheila_Randall
Explorer C
Thank goodness. I'm in florida and have children in S.C. I would have liked Columbia, but I'm not complaining. southwest is my favorite airline so I'll be happy with Greenville. Thanks again!!
Gigi1
Explorer C
Averie, here I come!!! Thank you Southwest!!!! I have been waiting for this for two years since my granddaughter was born.
Rita_O_Dell
Explorer C
I am so excited to hear that you will be servicing South Carolina, PLEASE let us know ASAP on if you willbe flying out of Portland OR to SC . We will be trying to go there a lot in the next 3 years as my son and daughter and future grandchild will be there.
FlyOnlySWA
Explorer C
Myrtle Beach, please!!
Anonymous3433
Explorer C
i fly often for business and always go straight to southwest.com to book my flights. u guys r the best. really hopng u guys start service to honolulu or somewhere in carribean so i can use u for vacations too! i know it asking alot and a long shot but i'll keep my fingers crossed!!!
Travlndave
Explorer C
Great now I will be able to visit my new granddaughter whenever I want to with out the 550 mile drive.
Anonymous1352
Explorer C
This is exciting news! We have family in the Greenville/Spartanburg area and hated it that we had to fly into Atlanta and rent a car. Going to see them will be much easier now! Thanks SWA!
sara
Explorer C
Would love to see you add Charlotte, NC and Cabo San Lucas!!!!! Love SW!!!!!
Dan_Byrne
Explorer C
Please keep expanding we love flying with you and please think about Atlanta Georgia next.
Mary_Mora
Explorer C
I have family in Jacksonville, SC. Any plans to include flights to this town? Camp Leujeune is located there and so is New River MCAS.
Alan_N
Explorer C
For 7 years, I've been hoping you would come to Charlotte, NC., I've written many letters, and mention it to flight attendants, gate agents, anyone who will listen when I travel to other cities lucky enough to have SouthWest. We are in a strangle hold with another US Airline Carrier. (guess who). They treat their passengers with disdain and the concept of passenger's as their "bread and butter" is a lost concept. I earned companion passes 7 years in a row, before moving from the PVD/Bos market. It was great getting out of the snow, but oh! I miss my LUV airline. Please make Charlotte a reality... shows us the LUV!
Janice2
Explorer C
Please add Columbia, SC as a destination. That would be great!
LV1
Explorer C
Yeah!!! Greenville SC is close to the mountains in Asheville, NC. Now I can fly my favorite airline from Seattle and get home without backtracking from Raleigh.
Tony_R
Explorer C
I can finally get an affordable flight to go see my sister! Thanks!
Anonymous3304
Explorer C
Please go to Jacksonville, NC or any airport nearby. My son is stationed there and it is so expensive on military pay.
Constantly_on_S
Explorer C
This morning at the San Jose, CA, airport, the line of customers for Southwest was twenty times that for any of the other airlines––just as it was in Birmingham, AL, Phoenix, AZ, and Newark, NJ within the past month. Wouldn't you think the other airlines would figure out that Southwest must be doing something right? I know how I'll be going to Charleston.
Deb12
Explorer C
GREAT! ALWAYS WANTED TO VISIT SOUTH CAROLINA. AND KEEP UP THE MILWAUKEE ROUTE TOO!
Anonymous3771
Explorer C
Hickory NC would be a great addition, too! Furniture business, the smokie mountains & colleges would keep it hopping. It's a fun airline. Al
Anonymous2215
Explorer C
Have you considered flying from Harlingen to Indiana. We have family there. We just took a trip on continental and it was an experience.
Sharon7
Explorer C
Please come to Grand Rapids, Michigan! Our daughter lives in San Diego and it would be great to fly Southwest Airlines to visit her!
Anonymous1455
Explorer C
Fantastic news for all of the families associated with the Nuclear Navy!! Too late for us, but great news. The one time I flew there it was an 8 hour trip through Atlanta and cost $$$$. (I can drive in 7 hours!) Thanks - I may return for a visit even though my son will be on to his next assignment!
DJC
Explorer C
That's great - but MYRTLE BEACH would have been fantastic!!! Any chance of that happening?
Rose_LL
Explorer C
GREAT News, both locations will provide access to the LowCountry and the Piedmont. I have waited for this for years. I know that Myrtle Beach isn't far from Charleston. There are many people in the Baltimore Washington Area with vacation homes in MB. Expansion to that area would also be great. Thanks for the great service you provide.