SOUTHWEST AIRLINES REPORTS FEBRUARY TRAFFIC

[lreynolds]

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today that the Company flew 5.0 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in February 2010, a 2.3 percent decrease from the 5.1 billion RPMs flown in February 2009.  Available seat miles (ASMs) decreased 8.7 percent to 6.8 billion from the February 2009 level of 7.4 billion.  The load factor for the month was 73.9 percent, compared to 69.1 percent for the same period last year.  Weather-related flight cancellations during the month reduced the Company’s passenger revenues by an estimated $15 million.  For February 2010, passenger revenue per ASM is estimated to have increased in the 16 to 17 percent range as compared to February 2009.

For the first two months of 2010, Southwest flew 10.5 billion RPMs, compared to 10.2 billion RPMs for the same period in 2009, an increase of 2.4 percent.  Available seat miles decreased 7.6 percent to 14.4 billion from the 2009 level of 15.6 billion.  The year-to-date load factor was 72.9 percent, compared to 65.8 percent for the same period last year.  

This release, as well as past news releases on Southwest, are available online at southwest.com.             

[marie_messier]

I try to fly SW whenever feasible. The safe travel records, fair rates, no-nonsense boarding, no fees baggage check, on time schedules and pleasant atmosphere are most appealing to me and my family. What more can travelers ask for?

[Kathy_Potthoff]

As far as I am concerned, SWA is the only airline! No other airlines can compare to SWA policies - from ease of booking, reasonable fares, dependable on-time departures and arrivals, SWA employee standards of having air travelers being treated with the utmost respect. I've been traveling with mom and she feels as though SWA employees treat her like a queen from the first step towards the skycab to the departure gates then onto the arrival gates. She enjoys traveling again! The humor your stewards and stewardesses display on flights is just the frosting on the cake. An occasional pilot like Big Al on a TX flight is a hoot !!! Loving SWA all the way!

[Florida_travele]

the very best airline i like to travel on- Ticket prices are very favoorable for us especially as seniors Straight thru for our trips in most cases- Treated with respect. THX YOU SOUTHWEST****

[ALICIA_YKEMA]

I just wanted to let you know that the more I fly Southwest, the more Ii love it. i'm especially pleased with the courtesy the employees show toward the passengers and the sense of humor they display both on board and at the check in desk. I also like the boarding rocess. it gets the job done in an orderly manner. Last but not least, I've not had one case of lost luggage and I've flown SWA a lot in the last year. Thanks for putting some fun back into llying!!!