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Southwest Airline's January 2015 Schedule Now Open For Sale!

Bill
Employee
Employee
This morning, we opened the Southwest Airlines schedule out for sale through Friday, March 6, 2015.  There are some interesting changes to tell you about, of course—but this schedule represents a huge event in the evolution, so let’s start with a paragraph of celebration! Since shortly after the legal close of Southwest’s acquisition of AirTran, Network Planning has not only been writing and maintaining the schedules of two airlines, but we've also made sure that the schedule of each network operationally viable as a stand-alone entity, and ensured that the Southwest and AirTran schedules complimented each other when looking at market selection and departure timing.  Consider the sheer complexity of that task for a moment!  The only analogy I can think of to describe it is that it’s been like cracking over 640 eggs—some canyon blue and red, some teal and white—into some huge bowl, scrambling them all together and cooking them perfectly, then successfully separating the scrambled teal eggs from the scrambled canyon blue ones before we serve them.  And we've done that for every published schedule for the past four years! But with the sunset of AirTran service on December 28, 2014, the January 2015 schedule is the first fully optimized schedule that, by design, combines the power of both the Southwest and AirTran networks as a single, unified entity that spans 93 cities from coast to coast, border to border, and includes service to Mexico and four Caribbean nations.  Every single Southwest and AirTran Employee had a hand in getting to this point, so take a second to recognize how much we’ve accomplished together in such a small time—and here’s to even greater things in our future! Now for some schedule details.  The January and February always combine a seasonal shift in traffic with the harshest of winter operations, so you’ll notice that in the normal seasonal changes in block times and turn times.  You’ll also notice the annual, seasonal additions such as the return of nonstop service between Baltimore/Washington and Oakland, between Ft. Lauderdale and Phoenix, and between Nashville and Ft. Myers.  We’ll also seasonally eliminate service in five markets, such as between Albany and Las Vegas and between Phoenix and Raleigh/Durham.  Details on all of these market additions and eliminations are listed below. In the continuing evolution of “All You Need Is LUV” we’ll keep building our North Texas powerhouse in January by adding new nonstop service between Dallas Love Field and Northern California!  We’ll add a daily roundtrip between Love and both San Francisco and Oakland.  Southwest will also add two additional daily roundtrips between Love Field and New York/LaGuardia, for a total of five daily nonstops.  In fact, the January Schedule has 153 daily Southwest departures from the New Love Field—the largest number in memory. Specifics for our additions and eliminations are listed here, and of course if you have questions just ask.   Have a GREAT week, everyone—remember to celebrate both the past AND the future—and make this the best week of your summer!  
15 Comments
stevexc500
Explorer B
Hi Bill. I'm hoping to see some additions for MSP soon! 7x daily to MDW is nice (in addition to the other cities serviced), but Florida/Vegas and some East/West Coast buildup would be even better! Looking forward to the next schedule release to see if my wishes come true for Spring Break in March! DAL would be another great add! - Steve
boko80
Explorer C
I have a question rather than a comment. Why are both Tucson AZ and Lubbock, TX showing up as nonstop routes from Houston Hobby?
boko80
Explorer C
I should have stated that when looking at the SWA Route map with "nonstop routes only" selected, that Tucson and Lubbock both show up as Nonstop routes to/from Houston Hobby.
nvgtravel
Explorer C
I always look forward to your posts and the new schedule additions. I noticed that on the list that Baltimore to Ft. Walton Beach was Seasonally discontinued. When did Southwest start flying to Ft. Walton Beach?
boko80
Explorer C
Hi Steve, Im sure that MSP will continue to see some growth for SWA. Im sure that you will see either HOU or DAL, maybe even both of them.
duffman_44
Explorer C
As an A-List preferred traveler, I would really appreciate it if you would add Cincinnati to one of the destination cities. Unfortunately I have to use one of the 'other' airlines when I fly in or out of there. Thank you for your consideration.
mikegrahamls
Explorer C
Very disappointed to see Kansas City-Oakland service discontinued. Everytime I take these flights, they sure seem to be full. I understand the importance of Dallas Love to Southwest, but don't let that focus be a detriment to Kansas City and other markets.
stevexc500
Explorer B
Hi William, I hope those cities come true for MSP. We have been somewhat stagnant for a while. I am sure that was due to the merger, but it would be nice to kick start some growth again. I think Southwest has great potential in the MSP market!
Bill
Employee
Employee
Michael, sorry to disappoint you. We treat this market as seasonal, and have for quite a while now. It will be back before you know it!! Bill
Bill
Employee
Employee
Hi Dave, Cincinnati has been looked at for certain--but for now, it's not risen to the top of the "next one we do" list. VERY much appreciate your business when our schedules work for you, though--and just a thought: have you thought of using our flights to Indianapolis or Louisville to access Cincinnati? Both are less than 100 miles, and all uncrowded interstate roads the whole way. But we won't forget about CVG....I'd LUV to fly my airline there one day and have a bowl of Cincinnati five-way chili!! Bill
Bill
Employee
Employee
Neal--D'OH!!! That was an absent-minded typo on my part. It's corrected now!!! Bill
Bill
Employee
Employee
Hi William! Not sure why it's showing those. I've emailed our southwest.com gurus and they'll address it tomorrow! Thanks for the heads-up. Bill
Bill
Employee
Employee
Hi Steve! We've LUVed our reception in the Twin Cities, particularly as 25 years ago (when I started) it was on the "no way, not ever" list with several other places we're quite fond of--and big in--now! We've throttled our growth back while we absorb AirTran, stand up a new reservations system, and learn to fly international, all while trying to hit our ROIC targets. So be patient with us, and we'll bring more stuff to the Humphrey Terminal as soon as we can!! Bill
brian_sannicand
Explorer C
Anyone know when next schedule release is? I need to book a flight for a trip that returns on 4/7 and current sched stops at 4/6 😞
millie-richter-
Frequent Flyer C
Hi Brian ... I'm not sure of the date for the next schedule release, but historically Southwest offers about six months of inventory at a time.