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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
Ashlie__Martine
Explorer C
Finally!!!!!! I live in SA, TX and my parents used to live in AR. Flying was not an issue! Now my parents have moved to SC with the rest of my family and I'm still here in SA. I don't see them nearly as often now b/c all other airlines are soooo expensive and a 17 hr drive w/ 3 children under 6 is not pleasant. I can't wait for SWA to open their terminals in GSP! Now I can see my family more than twice a yr! God bless SWA!!!!!
debbe-fry
Explorer C
Thanks - I am happy to hear this flight is coming to Charleston. I hope you fly there from Baltimore. Now you can think about adding Savannah too as a destination.
Carrie
Explorer C
Thank you so much for choosing Charleston! I wanted to have a party to celebrate this great news!!This will make it much easier for me to get back there to visit family and friends. Currently it is very expensive and difficult to get to Charleston from Phoenix.
Anonymous288
Explorer C
Thank you!! Our son is stationed in Goose Creek, SC. This route will be awesome for getting down to see him. Hopefully you'll be up and running by Feb when we plan to go next. Sadly having to fly UAL this weekend but it will be our last once SW starts its route!!
Michele_White
Explorer C
Thank you for adding CHS to your service area!! We travel to Hilton Head, and since SWA is our favorite airline, we'll be able to fly with you...any chance of adding Savannah to your plans? Are there any updates to the start date?
Mestas_Family
Explorer C
YAY! Two years ago, we moved from ABQ to GSP. Every time we travel to NM, or family/friends travel to SC to visit us, we've gone to CLT. But now, we won't have to! I can't wait until Southwest Airlines flies out of GSP! Thank you so much!!!
PHL-GSP
Explorer C
Great news and will be greater if you will serve GSP from Philly.
Anonymous599
Explorer C
Can't wait for the CHS service to start. Really want to see where they will fly direct. Hope there will a flight to PVD or BOS.
Andy10
Explorer C
WooHoo!!! Awesome! Finally, there will be the wonderful service of Southwest serving the best spots in SC. Count on my continued and increased patronage. Cheers to whoever was involved in this great decision.
Shana
Explorer C
I want to book my trips to SC from Chicago and cannot wait for this to happen!!!!!!!
Fran
Explorer C
Great news! My sister just moved to Charleston. Now PLEASE start flying to and from Montana, specifically Great Falls and/or Kalispell. We're captive to high airfares and poor service here because of lack of competition.
gsportbar
Explorer C
Thank you SouthWest. All other airlines are second rate to you.
Mary_I_Kilgore
Explorer C
Yea!!!!! My daughter and her family live just outside of Greenville........yea!!!!!!. I hope that you are going to fly out of Dallas to Greenville......Thank you!!!!
Brandi
Explorer C
Are there any more details on when service will begin for charleston? Looking forward to flying there. My best friend lives there! I have been having to fly Delta and I would love love to fly Southwest! Thanks!
snelson
Adventurer C
Brandi, There are no details to be shared yet, but as soon as we know more, you can be sure that we will share it! Stay tuned!
Melinda
Explorer C
Sandy - Hurry, hurry, hurry, I can't wait to be able to go see my airman... Do we at least have a time frame for service to start??
Adam_Hughes
Explorer C
Thank you Southwest Airliners! Greenville thanks y'all!!!
Janet_Leddy
Explorer C
Excellent news...hope route will include Long Island Islip MacArthur (ISP) as I currently live on Long Island and own a home outside Charleston. Will be relocating to CHS next year and feel better about leaving my daughter and her family. Please include ISP in your routes. Thank you
LFW
Explorer C
SSSOOOO VERY grateful and SSSSOOOO VERY excited. Can hardly wait to find out when flights will start up at GSP! We consider this a great honor!
JLD
Explorer C
I am counting the days till SW service starts! -- I don't know when it starts, but I can't wait. Having just moved to CHS, I have taken my first non-SW flights in over six years and I'm shocked at how bad and expensive it can be. I miss being able to check a bag and to change my flight for free. [It would be great if there will be at least one direct flight to the northeast-PVD or BDL, but I will not complain.] Thank you!
Anonymous799
Explorer C
Woo Hoo!!!! Finally! Great news!
Dante
Explorer C
I hope there are some direct flights from Greenville to Pittsburgh!!!
Dana4
Explorer C
PVD to CHS non-stop - Our family flies this route at least 20 times a year.
Anonymous3979
Explorer C
That is great I moved to Phoenix, AZ in 2007 and lived all my life in Greenville, SC. I can't wait for SW to fly to GSP. I will be booking many flight to go see my family. Now, I can get home more than once a year! Way to go Southwest, I love flying with you and would even love to work for your company as it is truley a great company. Thanks for all the great flights I have taken on SW to CA and other areas around this area. They are always enjoyable flights!!
Anonymous213
Explorer C
My husband works in Shelby, NC and was told by an employee at GSP that SWA will be serving GSP sometime in August 2010 but August came and went and nothing. Should we expects flights out of GSP in the upcoming months?
lmoffat
Adventurer A
Hi Anon, We plan on announcing our destinations and fares this fall for GSP, so stay tuned here for more info later! - Laurel
Denise_Beckles
Explorer C
My honey lives in SC and I am in Georgia. Are you going to add an ATL to CHS route? Hope you do and soon.
Anonymous3659
Explorer C
You just don't know how happy this makes me!!!!!!! I live in Baltimore but am originally from Charleston and don't get home often, but this gives me a wonderful opportunity!!!! Please Hurry I am so excited!!!!!
Gerri2
Explorer C
I have been flying SWA for several years. I drive from Charlotte to RDU (2 1/2 hrs.) to fly SWA. Now that SWA is coming to Greenville . . . watch out Atlanta and Charlotte! ! ! Greenville is halfway between these two major cities, believe me, it is worth the drive. The fares are unbelievably low and is all interstate for traveling to Greenville. I am so excited that SWA is coming to Charleston, SC (Home for me) and Greenville, SC THANK YOU SOUTHWEST ! ! ! !
Anonymous4449
Explorer C
Ohh, please don't make us wait anymore for service to CHS. My finger is poised above the mouse to 'book' ! So so happy that Southwest is going to CHS. What a great strategic move!
Anonymous143
Explorer C
Please come to Greensboro, Piedmont Triad International. We just moved here from the DC/MD/VA area and love southwest. Now that we are in Greensboro, we have to drive to Raleigh to get Southwest Flights. At first, we thought, it is worth it! Now, an hour drive to catch a flight and an hour drive back...not so much. Please come to Greensboro! I am sure you would still have full flights!
Donna16
Explorer C
I'm very excited about affordable service to Charleston. Since Air Tran pulled out of this particular airport, decent airfares are impossible to find. We already use Southwest for our trips to the northwest and look forward to using the service to Charleston. When will this service begin?
JenW
Explorer C
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I just moved from North Carolina to Charleston, and have been lamenting the loss of Southwest's fantastic service and excellent pricing. If I could only fly Southwest, I would. I look forward to more information about when the service will start; I have friends and family who are planning to visit, and I'm telling them to hold off until Southwest service starts!
PJ5
Explorer C
OK, it is fall 2010!! When are you going to tell us where Southwest will be flying to out of GSP??? The suspense is killing us....not to mention fares from other airlines flying out of GSP! and the drive to CLT.??
Manuel1
Explorer C
That's great news! I just moved to Charleston. Now if only I could fly SW nonstop to Durham to meet my sweetheart...
Phyllis_DiFranc
Explorer C
I love that you coming to SC, I just wish it were to the HIlton Head area--please Savannah sometime soon. Phyllis 9/15/10
Anonymous1322
Explorer C
greenville is close... but not close enough.... charlotte...charlotte...charlotte...PLEASE!!!
Anonymous4071
Explorer C
Yahoo!!!!!!!!! So excited you will be flying to Greenville! Can't wait. Get here as soon as possible, please!
Anonymous508
Explorer C
We are anxiously awaiting your arrival to GSP in South Carolina. We have many family members who are also excited. All of us will be frequent flyers! The sooner, the better! The route from Phoenix to GSP / GSP to Phoenix greatly anticipated.
Anonymous3825
Explorer C
We live in Louisville, KY and have family in the Shreveport, LA area. Also, in the Charleston, SC area.....YaHOO! Pretty please, would you consider making airfare available to Shreveport, LA too? It would be such a God send! I get so tired of the 800 mile car trip and we could start flying if it became more affordable for us. Thanks!
dmo1
Explorer C
I'll be a regular on the GSP to PHX routes. Love your airline!!
Anonymous2642
Explorer C
I'm planning a trip to Charleston in July 2011. I will hold off making air reservations until I hear whether you (Southwest) will be providing this service. I certainly hope so. Lou
Tim20
Explorer C
Hurry up to GSP! We need competition. Guaranteed passengers from PHX as far as I'm concerned!
Theresa1
Explorer C
Has the date for service from Charleston SC been established as of yet? We really need you. I'm tired of getting robbed by Delta (and am committed to rally support to ensure you stay in Charleston)!
Rachelle
Explorer C
When will we be able to start booking flights out of Charleston SC? I don't see it as an option yet. Please let me know. Thanks!
bemlaw
Explorer C
Any updates to the pending service to Charleston and Greenville? I want to book flights!
millie-richter-
Frequent Flyer C
Greenville/Spartenburg and Charleston flights and fares will be announced sometime this fall ... so stay tuned! Millie Richter
Communications
Southwest Airlines

Anonymous3569
Explorer C
charleston to las vegas and san diego please
Jan14
Explorer C
Great news that Southwest is flying to Charleston SC.....only 2 hour ride to Savannah GA. What about Hilton Head airport in GA? you have no flights to Georgia. C'mon Southwest!!
Anonymous46
Explorer C
Could you please come to Charlotte, NC