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

weichinger
Employee
Employee


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.

 

186 Comments
Greg_Walker
Explorer C
when will dallas love field start doing non stop flights
Anonymous3060
Explorer C
Would love to see more non-stops from Long Island McArthur Airport to TPA and vv.
Gary_Bellinger
Explorer C
When will SW fly to Cabo, Mexico?
lmoffat
Adventurer A
Hi Greg, We'll be able to offer more nonstop flights at DAL once the Wright Amendment is completely lifted in 2014.
Anonymous769
Explorer C
Any plans to service north central Wisconsin? Mosinee or Rinelander, Wi has an airport that could maybe support your planes. There are many people in this part of the state that you would really help by sevicing this area.
Nancy_Prance
Explorer C
Can't wait until Southwest will be flying into Atlanta! Delta.....MOVE OVER.
Gary_Craft
Explorer C
When will you be flying out of Dayton, Ohio???
rustyscrew
Explorer C
Why do all your flights from San Francisco, CA to Burbank, CA and vice versa have to go via Las Vegas? It makes the ticket too expensive and longer flight times.
Anonymous3409
Explorer C
I love SW. I've had to use United to fly PHX to MSN and I hate it. Much harder to check in and just not as pleasant in any way. I know what to expect from SW, the basics, but they do that well. I once arrived 4 hours early for a flight, due to my family's schedule, and expected to cool my heels for hours. On a whim I asked if there was an earlier flight. One was leaving in 5 mins. She told me to run and my ticket would .print at the gate. No fees. It also was nonstop vs my previous two stop. She saved me about eight hours that day AND my bag made the flight. That saved me a vacation day which allowed me to stay all week for Thanksgiving 4 months later. That saved me a pile of cash and made a Mom who misses her son very happy. All because a few employees wentout of their way. Thank You Southwest!
Anonymous2116
Explorer C
NOW THAT SWA HAS A STRANGLEHOLD AT ISP, I'VE CUT BACK ON MY TRIPS. THE REASON BEING THAT SWA HAS RAISED THE PRICES AND CUT BACK ON FLIGHTS. I COULDN'T GET A DECENT PRICE OR ROUNDTRIP FLIGHT TO MATCH TO LAS OR FLL. ARE ANY OF THE NEW PLANES GOING TO BE FLYING OUT OF ISP? AT WHAT COST?
Anonymous3413
Explorer C
I have always hated to fly SW because of the standby policy. Please consider upgrading your standby policy and I think more business people will fly your airline.
Ohio
Explorer C
Are there any plans to bring back the non-stop flight between Philadelphia and Ohio in the year 2011?
Anonymous2423
Explorer C
Is the merger with Airtran complete and if so when will flights from Atlanta be avialable? Will there be any flights between Atlanta and Arizona?
Dottie
Explorer C
I know you are implementing Greenville/Spartanburg and Charleston SC, but why not Charlotte, NC. for those of us who live in that area...Charleston is a 3 hour trip and Greenville at least a two hour trip add that on to needing to be at the Airport and hour or two prior to take off makes for inconvienience....in travel time . If and when you take on Air Tran will you be keeping their routes? The Cleveland Airport can't be better than Charlotte???? and you fly in there...How about Akron Canton, will you ever consider flying into that smaller airport? Thanks for your consideration and update
Kurt2
Explorer C
Southwest is still a great airline. Since Herb left the helm, I see it evolving into a "legacy" airline by reducing nonstop destinations at airports with more connections and moving into more congested airports. Airlines don't make money with an airplane sitting at a gate or waiting in line for takeoff. They make money when the airplane is moving through the air with a butt in the seat. The other part of Herb's model was to have a single type airplane and well motivated employees. Southwest supports its employees which is reflected in the way customers are treated by agents and flight crews. Southwest needs to stay with that model or they will be like all the other airlines. And lastly, WN has senior fares which I don't find at any other airline.
Tom7
Explorer C
Will the seating configuration be different in the 800's? Will there be more or less leg room? I LUV Southwest! Could use a few more non-stops between PHL or BWI and San Diego and San Fran. Tom
Sandy9
Explorer C
People in Amarillo would love to be able to fly to Albuquerque and not have to go to Dallas first. Why did you cancel that flight?
Mary_K
Explorer C
SW ever think of making BERMUDA one of your permenant daily stops from BOSTON???
Yvonne4
Explorer C
When are you going to start flying internationally??
Anonymous4210
Explorer C
Will SW ever fly into and out of Salem Oregon?
Love_SWA
Explorer C
Love Southwest. Attendents are usually very happy and helpful. Thank you for giving us the flexibility to CHANGE a ticket without penatly. Of course thanks for the NO FEE baggage. Please Please condsider flying from Providence to Daytona Beach.. Delta keeps us hostage! Also would love to have a Providence to Atlanta route as well. Keep up the good work. Happy in RI
Anonymous1710
Explorer C
Any thoughts to fly into Cody, WY or into Billins, Montana? Especially from TPA?
Anonymous382
Explorer C
are their any sights on myrtle beach s.c. in your upcoming plans.
Tony_D
Explorer C
Been flying SWA for years and love it. Have stock in the company and appreciate your great service. When are you going to fly to Puerto Vallarta, MX? We fly there every year and don't like taking Continental or AA. Also, don't you answer these quesions, comments? Didn't see any responses. Tony Round Rock, TX
Steven_Davis
Explorer C
I love getting the drink coupons with my rapid rewards flights . I drink crown royal only. please bring back crown royal as there is no substition................................
Mac1
Explorer C
We you be traveling to Puerto Rico anytime soon? I ask because I understand you will be merging with Air Tran and they do fly there.
Anonymous3752
Explorer C
My family and friends are traveling this July.. we love SW! but SW doesn't fly to San Juan PR (SJU) Will the changes help my family and friends this July?
Linnea_-_Salem_
Explorer C
THANK YOU FOR ADDING CHS (Charleston SC) in March--Bye Bye USAirways, charging for checked bags and NO peanuts!!!! On your No Fare Change--if I book a flight and the price goes DOWN--do I get a credit/refund? I have had to many great experiences with SWA that I would not be able to list them. Keep up the great work. If its good for the NBA--it's good for me
Anonymous2508
Explorer C
Is Southwest considering nonstop flights from Omaha to Ontario, LAX, or SNA? Seems like that would be a popular route. Glad to see Frontier is starting up such a route to both LAX and San Diego in Feb...but I would much rather fly on SWA.
loveSWA
Explorer C
Are you going to fly out of Charlotte NC any time soon and if this happens will it be a straight flight to Chicago? I love southwest!!!!!
Joe_Freidberg
Explorer C
With the addition of 737-800 that has loading doors forward and aft, will there be a redesign of the ramps which would provide for faster (or as fast) turn arounds? Presently, my wife and I always always head toward the aft section, so as to not slow down those behind us. Will loading thru the aft set of doors be available at Austin-Bergstrom?
Brakes_60
Explorer C
As long as SW goes where I'm going it's the only airline I use. I love you guy's. I love the E-MAILS from folks in little towns that want you to start service so you can pick up the three people waiting for your flight. I hope you guys to buy airtran. It's an awful airline.
GW
Explorer C
Just moved to St. George Utah home of Sky West Airlines and a strangle-hold by Delta. Beautful mountain parks (Zion, Bryce,Arches) and some of the best skiing (Brian Head) and back country in the South West. Please, Please, Please consider coming to our new airport that just opened this past week.
Desperate_in_Me
Explorer C
Is Southwest Airlines coming to the Memphis or Tunica airport? Signed Desperate in Memphis
Fred2
Explorer C
With addition of 737-800s, is Southwest planning to fly to Alaska or Hiwaii?
aaa
Explorer C
SW is awesome!