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SWA Announces Intent to Begin Service to Boston Logan in Fall of 2009

pberg
Frequent Flyer B

Southwest Airlines Announces Intent to Begin Service to Boston Logan International Airport in Fall of 2009--Carrier Plans Conservative Start-Up to Complement Existing Network


DALLAS, Feb 19, 2009  -- Southwest Airlines today announced its intent to begin service from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in the Fall of 2009. The carrier has not released specific service details, saying only that it will begin with a conservative number of flights that will complement its 64 airport network. Southwest Airlines Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO Gary Kelly shared the news with Southwest Employees at a Company event in Chicago last night. Visit the Southwest Airlines' Blog (http://www.blogsouthwest.com) to see and hear footage of that announcement.


Southwest Airlines has been serving the New England area since 1996 with service at Providence's TF Green International Airport and service at Manchester Boston Regional Airport since 1998. The Boston Logan service will complement the carrier's existing service at other New England airports, allowing Customers to take advantage of Southwest flights from more locations.

"Today, more than ever, it's imperative that we make wise decisions on how and where we utilize our aircraft - and we know that Boston Logan Airport is a smart choice for Southwest," said Gary Kelly, Southwest's Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO. "I am confident that Logan will be a great addition to our already strong presence in the New England area. We stand ready to offer this bustling region even more low-fare service and unbeatable Southwest Airlines Customer Service."

"We are thrilled to welcome Southwest Airlines to Boston Logan," said Massport's Director of Aviation Edward C. Freni. "At Logan, we are always thinking of our customers and now they will soon be enjoying Southwest's Signature 'Freedom to Fly Approach' to quality customer service."

"We plan to begin Logan service with a conservative number of flights and a two gate operation," Kelly said.

The Company will release additional details regarding its future Boston Logan International service in the coming months. The Logan service will be made possible by the airline optimizing its current flight schedule and repositioning aircraft. Southwest has not changed its previously announced plan to reduce the Company's available seat miles by approximately four percent in 2009 compared to 2008.

After 37 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation's leading low-fare carrier, continues to differentiate itself from other airlines--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. At Southwest Airlines, fees don't fly. Customers can check their first two bags for free (size and weight limits apply), there are no change fees, no fees for a window or aisle seat, and, as always, snacks, sodas, and smiles are all complimentary!

Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience. Southwest offers a very comfortable ride with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom with a young all Boeing 737 fleet. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 64 cities (with service to Minneapolis/St. Paul starting March 8, 2009) in 32 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide. Approximately 100 Southwest Employees conduct a four gate operation at Manchester Boston Regional Airport with 27 daily nonstop departures to eight cities. Southwest's operation at Providence's TF Green International Airport includes four gates, more than 100 Employees, and 31 daily nonstop departures to nine destinations.

www.southwest.com

28 Comments
AnnMarie
Explorer C
Regarding the new service to Logan airport: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Please please please have a flight that originates from Raleigh Durham! there are so many New Englanders here Im sure it would get alot of use.
Dee1
Explorer C
And from Nashville too!!
Frequent_Flyer4
Explorer C
When will you guys start flying ti CLT, so I can stop flying US Air?
fprmer_New_eEgl
Explorer C
Yes yes please consider a flight from Ft Myers Florida to Boston!! I go there several times a season as well as my family. Lots of us down here in southwest Florida. I used to take the Song direct non stop flights all the time until they disappeared. Can't wait!!
Scott_Bornkesse
Explorer C
I second the motion to have nonstop from RDU to Logan. It should be one of the best performing routes going into BOS. Thank you Southwest! I have flown you guys since 1994 when I was living in Texas, and you are by far the best airline in the business.
Bill24
Explorer C
Wish you would have considered Worcester (ORH). Boston traffic and parking at Logan is a pain.
Bobbie
Explorer C
I can't tell you how glad I am to hear this news! Flying to Boston from the west coast by way of Providence is really not a great option. I end up flying multiple carriers to avoid that situation, often utilizing Jet Blue which is becoming another favorite airline of mine only because of access to Boston, but I usually fly on southwest to get to where jet blue flies from...I have a new grandbaby in Boston and try to get there as often as I can.
Anonymous651
Explorer C
I am glad about Boston But still will fly to MHT , Boston is hard to get in and out of. So I see others are asking about CLT ?? any word and we would all like to stop flying Usairways out of Bos to CLT and fly Southwest. Also what about Des Moines and Portland Maine and Pensacola FL. Those citiies would be a great asset to the Southwest network of other cities to connect too I live in Pensacola Fl and Jaxsonville FL is the closets Southwest city I hope you guys come soon maybe non stop service to Las Vegas.
Anonymous3420
Explorer C
Please fly from Boston to Tampa. I live in Sarasota and North Chatham and would love to be able to use Southwest. from Boston to Tampa or better yet Sarasota/Bradenton airport. THere is no convenient public bus service from Hyannis to Providence as there is to Logan.
EmJay1
Explorer C
YESSSSSSS!!! Tampa please???
Joan11
Explorer C
Oh myGawd!!! Is this true??? Finally.. although I've been accustomed to PVD and going to Newport for lunch before my journey home to the South Shore of Boston!
Debby
Explorer C
Now I can stop flying US Air, and stay with southwest! Finally!!
Marianna1
Explorer C
Live in Phx and have long awaited this news. I have a very lg family in BOS and we are all thrilled. We luv Southwest.
Marie7
Explorer C
Ya-Hoo!!! Please consider flying from Long Island to Boston....Lots of college students from Long Island are at Boston College/University....It would be a blessing...
Anonymous1669
Explorer C
Thank you soooo much. I have only been able to use Southwest once to get to Boston...through Providence, but usually have to use another airline because they are more direct. This is exciting. I love Southwest! Thank you for expanding to Boston's Logan airport.
chrisnh
Explorer B
I'm a big MHT booster, and this news doesn't bother me. In the same way that Southwest didn't close SJC and OAK upon entering SFO, both MHT and PVD should be fine. Both of these small but strong stations have proven their worth and will continue to do so. The airline landscape has more 'shaking out' to do, and I believe Southwest is coming to Boston in order to be in place when it does. However, Southwest's 'low fares' have to come with an asterisk once you factor in the $7 drive through the tunnel and a massive parking-fee hike that Massport wants to institute (revenue problems, dontchaknow). Still, this is a good move from a strategic POV.
Louise_Romano
Explorer C
Oh I am so happy that you will be flying from Logan Airport in Boston. Will you be flying into Orlando or Tampa FL? I am ready to make reservations for the end of Oct. 2009 . If you ARE going to fly there, when can I book? Louise Romano
MIKE_THORN
Explorer C
I AM NOT FLY TO LOGAN BECAUSE ITS TOO CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN BOSTON TRAFFIC IS SO BAD THAT S WHY I NOT FLY TO LOGAN BUT I WILL KEEP FLY TO MANCHESTER ITS MUCH EASIER FOR ME
Patty11
Explorer C
A direct flight to Phoenix would be sweet! Give US Air a run for the money. My family loves PVD but there is only 1 direct flight to PHX from PVD currently.
Anonymous910
Explorer C
Please add Nashville non-stop. There are no airlines servicing these two cities, other than Delta's seasonal flight. They are almost sold out every day and fly in a tiny sardine can. It would be full guarantee.
Southwest_Fan1
Explorer C
I live 40 minutes from both Boston and Providence. trust me on this: Go to Providence, security is a breeze, your baggage is out in a heartbeat and Rhide Islanders are pleasant. Logan is a delay getting there, delay checkin in, delay on the runway ( international flights and when the wind blows forget it ;reduce runways and average time 40 min) Unless your staying in Dowvtown Boston and leaving from there fly in and out of Manchester or Providence. Providence is closer to Cape Cod and the Islands and Manchester is the gateway to the north. Dont exoect Jet Blue to roll over they fly 40 flights a day out of there, but competition is great. Southwest lowered the Providence to Philly daily roundtrip fares from $700 down to $150 when they showed up and made US Airways pay attention. Freedom of Choice, without government is always great!
Anonymous1606
Explorer C
Please have service to Buffalo, NY. Many students and business people need better (More flights) service to Boston without having to go through NYC. Thank you!
Whitney
Explorer C
A direct BOS-PHX would be AMAZING!! There is only one direct from Boston (US Air) and only one direct from PVD (Southwest) - with all the folks going to AZ for vacation, business, conventions, golf, retirees going down for the winter, etc. Another option would be GREAT!!!
Phil13
Explorer C
This is the best airline-related news I've come across in a long time. Southwest and JetBlue are about the only remaining airlines that don't nickel-and-dime customers like banks and cell phone companies do, so I'm thrilled to know that I'll have two options for Southwest now (as T.F. Green Airport is also a realistic option for me). Southwest can't come to Logan fast enough for my liking! Now I can hope that one day Southwest will service Atlanta, one of my favorite cities to travel to, as pretty much the only options there are Delta and AirTran - no thank you!
Anonymous2507
Explorer C
Can't wait!! Hope you will fly non-stop from FLL!! There are lots of students from South Florida at Harvard, MIT, Boston College, etc...Will be on the look out for the dates. We are ready to book!!
SJ
Explorer C
Being a Texan living in the city I am SUPER grateful for this!!! I live next to Logan, I know it can be a pain, but the drive to Providence or Manchester keeps me from going home as much as I'd like to... THANK YOU SOUTHWEST!! Can't wait to see you in the fall!!!
jim09091
Explorer C
"Yes yes please consider a flight from Ft Myers Florida to Boston!! I go there several times a season as well as my family. Lots of us down here in southwest Florida. I used to take the Song direct non stop flights all the time until they disappeared. Can't wait!!" 2x. A BOS-RSW route would be great here. I also used to fly Song and loved it before they folded. JetBlue is good but some more competition would be good. Delta and AA service has been on the decline.
msmvnj
Explorer C
it's January 2010 and I still can't book PHL - BOS? When will that happen???