Southwest Airlines' Gary Kelly Addresses the Wings Club in New York City

[weichinger]

Southwest Airlines Chairman of the Board, President & Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly shares his thoughts on Leadership, Growth, and the Future of the Southwest Brand.

Gary Kelly addressed today a room full of aviation executives at the Wings Club in New York City and shared what the future looks holds for Southwest, as it enters its 40th year.  Among many topics, Gary announced ten more flights from the Newark Liberty International (EWR) to destinations like Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) with three daily nonstop flights, Houston Hobby (HOU) with two daily nonstop flights, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) with two daily nonstop flights, and Denver International (DEN) with three daily nonstop flights. These cities join the previously announced nonstops to Chicago Midway (MDW) and St. Louis (STL), giving Newark a total of 18 new daily nonstops and will connect Newark Liberty to our vast network.

To celebrate this new service, Southwest is offering for a limited time fares as low as $49 one way between BWI and EWR to travel during the Summer of 2011.  To see a complete list of special fares and fare rules, visit southwest.com.

Gary also announced that our fleet will be enhanced with the addition of the Boeing 737-800. Gary shared today we will substitute 20 of our future 737-700 orders for -800s, with the first delivery scheduled for March 2012. With both the Pilots’ and Flight Attendants’ Unions ratifying their contracts to add the -800 to their current collective bargaining agreements, Southwest is continuing to finalize discussions with the Boeing Company regarding substitutions of the -800s for the -700 positions and configuration and equipage options.

Gary told the Wings Club audience, “We are looking to the future and the -800 sets the stage to bring more destinations into the realm of possibilities for Southwest, to operate a more economical aircraft, and to offer better scheduling flexibility in high-demand, slot-controlled, or gate-restricted markets.”  The current plan is to deliver these 20, 737-800 aircraft in full Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) configuration. The current configuration also includes the Boeing Company’s Sky Interior that offers a quieter cabin, improved operational security features, and LED reading and ceiling lighting.

[Anonymous1720]

i saw a sticker on a recent flight that said wi-fi....are you going to start offering wi-fi on your flights? and if so will you be charging? I am an A-List member and on ocassions I get a companion pass due to frequency of travel......appreciate the flight attendants lively demeanor. Thank you!

[Windmill]

MDW can handle the 737-800. ATA used to operate the 737-800 from MDW without problems. I was surprised that SWA acquire ATA's brand new 737-800s when SWA entered into its "relationship" with ATA.

[Kathy9]

I fly SW several time a year to Vegas to see my grandson. I love the great deals I get and always on time and great service. Would love to see SW fly to Kauai and Hawaii.

[Anonymous1228]

We don't like the fact that SW now does not fly directly to Seattle from Spokane... sad but true.

[Nashvegas]

I'm still waiting for Southwest to announce flights from Nashville (BNA) to Newark (EWR). I go there all the time and I'm really tired of flying Continental Express and their mini-jets.

[Anonymous4039]

I fly SWA at every opportunity. I wish them every success and greatly appreciate that they handle their business responsibly with an emphasis on customer service. I was dismayed at the holidays, however, to find several pets on board the flight. I love animals but I'm allergic and sat unknowingly, until take off, one row behind a cat. What good would it have been to request to be reseated when I discovered there were at least three other animals somewhere on board the same flight? Thank goodness it was a short flight or I may have required medical attention. Can you please advise passengers that there will be animals on the flight and confine the animals to one area of the plane? I will bring a personal breathing mask on all future flights as a self defense measure. Thank you for your consideration.

[Anonymous676]

I am very happy for Southwest, You are the reason I am able to visit my family so often,For whatever reason we live in a very transient country. The price is always right for My Husband & I to travel, I just want to say thank You Southwest, and keep up the good work!!

[Anonymous3854]

I love flying SWA with the low fares to Las Vegas, Virginia or even Florida. I sure hope you get those bigger planes and fly to Hawaii by June, 2012. With the bigger plane hopefully I can fly to Hawaii more often with low fares than the bigger companies.

[Helen_Marie_Tac]

Your route plan is simply AWSOME. Would like to see Charlotte, NC added in the future.

[Tom41]

I fly to Atlanta 3/4 time a year from Providence. Is there a schedule date when Prov. can fly to Atlanta on southwest airlines...I can wait

[Anonymous3044]

I love Southwest The only airline I fly I am on the north side of Houston near IAH and I drive all the way to Hobby to fly Southwest Houston LOVES Southwest

[Anonymous1467]

Well, since everyone else is "chiming in" with their wish lists, I flew to NC from OAKland at least once a yr/ to visit family that moved to High Point, NC. Now they have retired in Daytona Beach, and one has to travel thru all the Disney/Orlando traffic 1 1/2+ hrs. ea/way, or 1 1/2+ hrs. ea/way to the far side of Jacksonville, through more traffic and endess construction zones. OAK-DFW-DAB; or OAK-ATL-DAB; or OAK-BMI[NASHVL]-DAB; HOUSTON HAS TOO MANY TROPICAL STORMS, LAS VEGAS TOO HOT WHEN POWER GOES OUT, TOO! COME ON SWA!!! AND I AGREE WITH THE CUSTOMER THAT IS ON SMALL BUSINESS BUDGET AND THOSE OF US ON SMALL, FIXED INCOMES...WE LIKE TO VISIT FAMILY AND FRIENDS TOO! THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous1170]

I also love Southwest...all the personnel are so doggone nice. BUT....I am keeping my fingers crossed that travel from MSP to Tucson will be reinstated. Please please pretty please???

[GW1]

I love Southwest. The prices can't be beat, the Chase cresit card has earned me 3 free flights in the past 6 years, and the personnel are wonderful. Once,a flight attendant loaned me her shawl when I was cold and had forgotten to bring a sweater. It is with sadness that I must report a flight attendent who is a complete jerk and ruined my flight home after a wonderful Christmas visit with my family. I was returning to New Orleans from Dallas on the last flight on Dec.27, 2010 which was delayed 1 1/2 hours due to storms on the east coast. This did not bother most of us because we were avid Saints fans and the delay allowed us to see the game in the Dallas airport lounge. With 5 min. left and a close score, we had to board the plane. The male flight attendant (who had his name covered by zipping closed his jacket) announced that the Saints had lost the game. What a disappointment!! Then the captain came on and said that we had won. Then the flight atendant told us he was a Denver fan, and his team was the best because it was closest to heaven since Denver is so high in the mountains , and we should know where New Orleans was closest to, being below sea level as he pointed down. He then asked me for my novel, removed the bookmark and handed it back. When I asked him why he did that, he said that he just wanted me to have trouble looking all the way through it to find my place! I had not given this man any trouble or made any comments even when he trashed the Saints. He just harrassed me out of the blue! THIS MAN NEEDS TO BE FIRED!! HE DOES NOT HAVE ANY OF THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE SOUTHWEST EMPLOYEES!!

[Anonymous3023]

would love to see southwest going back to mlb direct flight also please enough with the no seat assignements. Makes for a very stressful departure when flying with family and we are split up all over the place

[Anonymous3023]

southwest from Islip, (ISP) to Melbourne (MLB) would be great again,

[Richard5]

Two items.... Do not like the new rewards program... it really removes the insentive. Going back to the AMEX card and getting milage for any airline. SW was my exclusive airline... takes too much now to get a free flight. Second... any plans to come to Melbourne, Fl This could change my mind to come back to SW.

[Anonymous2518]

My husband and I love SW and fly it several times a year. Will you be flying Norfolk to Newark anytime soon?

[Phillip1]

I never blog. But I will for SWA. You guys are great.......so easy to use. I love the no-change-fees deal. If you ever start doing that you'll be just like the others. But since you're advertising about it, I assume you won't. I have miles on another carrier and used my miles to book a flight. Turns out, I couldn't make the trip. I had to pay $80 to redeposit the miles! They get you coming and going. Or how about when I paid $15 to hold a miles trip booking for 3 days. You guys just don't play those kind of games. Here's the deal. I own my own consulting business and I'm my own admin. I need it quick, easy and reasonable. That's SWA. Keep up the great work!

[Susie]

We fly several times a year between Providence and Ft. Myers. There is NO flight on any airline that flies this direct route. It would be great for the travelers and great for Southwest. What a win-win situation that would be!! I am a huge Southwest fan. My husband and I always tell people about our positive experiences. Please consider the Providence/Ft. Myers non-stop connection. Thanks.

[Barbara_D]

I have been hoping for Southwest to offer flights to Syracuse, New York, for 7 years now. Any chance of that in the near future? I truly believe that Southwest is the very best airline anywhere. Thank you.

[Peter_H_]

As a senior, I am disappointed that your revised Rapid Reward Program doesn't give a higher benefit for senior fares (which are full, unrestriced fares).Why don't they receive a higher value than your least expensive web fare specials (ie 6 points per dollar)? I think they should be valued at either the full fare 10 points per dollar or inbetween at 8 points per dollar. Afterall, they are full fares for seniors, right?

[Anonymous427]

Why can't Albany,N.Y. have a non stop to West Palm Florida?

[Anonymous2783]

Wider seats...Whichever airline has air crafts with wider seats on the route that I am flying is what I look for when I book our flights. Please have plans in the future to acquire planes with wider seats instead of 17 inch seats that are so confining. Do the new planes have wider seats? I hope so. I love flying SW. Your personnel are wonderful. It's always a good flying experience. Your prices are great and I love not paying extra for a bag. Just please get 18 inch or wider seats. Comfort is key. Four requests for the future: 1) wider seats with no extra charge (will this ever be possible?) 2) designated seats 3) direct / non-stop flights from Buffalo, NY to Raleigh, NC (most of Western New York relocated to that region and so many people I know would fly whichever airline had direct or non-stop flights), and lastly 4) more late flights from 8pm to 2am (is that a possibility?) from Buffalo, NY to Raleigh NC (even if we have to transfer planes it's still something that would be extremely popular and convenient). We fly so often and most of the time have to leave after work and can't get to the airport until 6pm or 7pm so flights after that time are the only ones we can choose from. Late flights are excellent! Thank you and I'd love to hear from you whether or not any of these things would be possible in the future for Air Tran or Southwest.

[Anonymous1085]

Luv the airline...ready for flights to HNL and Myrtle Beach SC.

[Anonymous2486]

I usually fly from Long Island to Las Vegas and then to Burbank. I recently noticed that after April there is no flights scheduled for that destination. Please advise.

[Mike_Eveland]

Flying Southwest has been nothing but enjoyable. They have the best employees and the most customer friendly agenda. I fly every Tuesday and Friday from BWI and I have a choice of many airlines, however, I feel like i am part of a family when i fly southwest. Keep up the good work! Mike Eveland

[RDU]

Add flights from RDU to ATL and LGA.

[Maddogterry]

Prior to my retirement a little more than 4 years ago, I was CEO of 3 companies. One in Boston, one in Rainham England and one in Wurtzburg, Germany. I was platinum on NW and gold on Delta and US Air. I was treated like royalty and always upgraded to first class. Obviously, the platinum and gold disappeared after the first year and I just can't believe the treatment of passengers in coach with charges for luggage, overhead storage, peanuts, pop and even blankets and pillows. In addition, the average employee of those airlines is surley and lack the enthusiasm that the SWA employees show. It is a pleasure to now fly with SWA. While it isn't first class as I had grown to love, it is heads and heals over the treatment (or lack thereof) of the competition. Keep up the good work.

[Harvey_Ascher]

South West flys from upstate New York into Washington D.C. With the buying of Air Tram will South West fly from Islip N.Y. MacArthur airport directly in to Washington D.C. I now travel a few times a year to see my son who now is living in Manassas, Va I travel by car and I fly with South West Airlines right now they fly from Islip N.Y. into Baltimore (BWI) If South West will fly directly into Washington I will fly more often than drive.

[Gale]

WE NEED SWA TO FLY NONSTOP FROM EWR TO FLL-- DO YOU KNOW THE BUSINESS YOU WOULD HAVE--

[Ron17]

What are SW's plans for airports that are served by Air Tran and where SW does not currently serve those same airports? Logically, you would think SW will replace AirTran service with SW service, but will this be the case?

[J_w_Seabury]

It would sure by a lot easier if SOUTHWEST could fly direct from ALBANY NEW YORK to FORT MYERS they are both Intrnational Airports.

[Richard_A_Fidle]

You are the #! !!! No matter where we fly it is Southwest, unless you don't fly there......then we just don't go..... 🙂

[steve__in_mass_]

GOOD NEWS!!! WHY CAN'T OTHER AIRLINES DO WHAT YOU DO?? GREAT CONCEPT KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB.

[lmoffat]

Just wanted to answer a few questions I've seen out there about Hawaii, Mexico, and other cities/routes that AirTran currently serves. As you saw with our -800 announcement, this type of aircraft (not coming until 3/12) brings many new destinations into Southwest's realm of possibilities, so stay tuned for more info on that and what it will mean for Customers. As far as Mexico destinations go, we have partnered with Volaris to connect our Customers to places like Cancun. Click here for more info on that: http://www.southwest.com/html/air/intl/index.html. And, last, there are 38 airports that AirTran serves that Southwest does not. We are interested in serving the great majority, if not all, of AirTran's current markets. Please stay tuned to www.lowfaresfarther.com for the latest updates on the AirTran acquisition.

[Paul_Abshire]

Please come to CVG! We have dozens and dozens of gates available..........

[lmoffat]

Hi laptopper, We don't have plugs on the aircraft, but you can always plug in at one of our charging stations in the gate area before you get on your flight! 🙂

[lmoffat]

Hi Steven, As you know, Southwest does not assign seats and AirTran does offer seat assignments including Business class and Coach. Upon full integration, it is our intent to have a consistent product offering. It is our intent that seat assignments and dual class service would not be part of that product.

[lmoffat]

HI Anon, We currently have 54 aircraft equipped with WiFi, and we're currently offering it for $5 per flight segment until all of our aircraft are outfitted (our intent is to finish this rollout by 2012). Hope that helps!

[lmoffat]

Hi Anon, Sorry you didn't have a pleasant flight since other Customers brought their pets onboard. Just so you know, we do limit the number, but we understand that some Customers do have allergies. I'd recommend letting our Employees know before you board the aircraft so they can make sure you are accommodated as well.

[lmoffat]

Hi GW, So sorry you were disappointed with our Flight Attendant's service and that we let you down. I've shared your concerns with our Customer Relations Team for followup. Hopefully we can restore your confidence the next time we have the privilege of serving you!

[lmoffat]

Hi Anon, We'll be offering service from ORF to EWR starting 6/5/11. Hope that helps!

[Steven_White]

I am still wondering if SWA will consider flying out of ACY as did AIR TRAN?

[lmoffat]

Hi Anon, After April, we aren't offering service from ISP to BUR due to demand (not to say this won't come back later in the year), but you can fly with just one stop from ISP to LAX if that helps in the meantime.

[lmoffat]

Hi Anon, Thanks for sharing your feedback and questions here! Upon full integration, it is our intent to have a consistent product offering, so even though AirTran has the 717, we would not charge a fee if the seats are not the same dimensions as ours. Also, it is our intent that dual class service would not be part of that product. As far as service such as new city-pairs, routes, flight times, etc., we'll know more once the deal is approved by the DOJ. We'll share all updates on www.lowfaresfarther.com - so stay tuned there for more info!

[Anonymous468]

I heard SW may start flying out of Des moines again. SW would always be my first choice. Any truth to the rumors?

[Anonymous14]

We visit our children in Raleigh, N.C. at least 5 times a year. Would love to have a direct flight from Long Island McArthur (Islip) Airport to Raleigh. May need to switch airlines and go out of JFK or LaGuardia. They have more flights available.

[Penny1]

We fly SW as much as possible, but I do see tends like bigger airlines that I don't like. Yes, you don't charge for baggage, but the $50 fee both ways for unaccompanied minors is a little over the top. I have two grandsons that I would prefer to fly from El Paso to Phoenix and back, a little over an hour flight, but when you pay anywhere from $59+ and the $50 for each one - it is now cheaper to drive. Remember there was a time when it was FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!! and then it was $25 for less than a year.

[Anonymous763]

I live on Long Island just 10 mins. from McArthur Airport..ISP,........would love to see flights to Charlotte, NC. CLT........my son lives in Charlotte and I could visit more often...........I love SWA and ISP(McArthur)..........SWA has the best prices.........I fly SWA from ISP to PBI every year........it's the best.