Turning 40 the Southwest Way

[millie-richter-]

I’ve been working for this airline for nearly 13 years and one thing still amazes me—that fact that nobody can celebrate quite like Southwest!  

Saturday, June 18, marks Southwest Airline’s 40^th anniversary—but why contain the festivities to just one day?  We started celebrating our 40^th year back in February with Gary’s Messages to Field.  These “state of the Company” addresses took place in cities across the country, and the events' “Get Amped” rock theme—complete with an Employee Battle of Bands contest—set the stage for the celebrations to come.

On June 14, "Herb Kelleher Way," the honorary name of Cedar Springs Drive as it leads into Dallas Love Field, was officially dedicated at a ceremony attended by Dallas dignitaries, Southwest Leaders and Employees, and, of course, Colleen, Herb, and his family.  As a Southwest Employee, I couldn't be more proud!

During 2011 Southwest is throwing not one, not two, but three anniversary parties for Employees.  Why three?  Well, that would be one for each of our original cities—San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston.  The San Antonio party was held on May 12 at SeaWorld San Antonio and more than 1,000 Southwest Employees and AirTran Crew Members joined in the fun.

The Houston party is scheduled for September 28, and the Dallas Party is tonight, June 17, and about to get started at anytime.  With the opening up of a 20-year-old time capsule and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals playing, it’s bound to be a rockin’ evening and celebration for Employees.  As will tomorrow night’s Annual Awards Banquet.  I can’t wait .. and I can’t wait to share all the details with you.  Stay tuned!

[gloria_dudley]

my favorit airline. the people are very nice. the seat are comforavle. i all ways feel safe thank you

[Pamela_Weatherf]

Happy Birthday!!! Thank you for all the hard work you do in keeping us safe and getting us to all of our destinations!!! I appreciate it sooooo much! So, Many Good Wishes for the next 40 years !!!! GO SOUTHWEST!!!

[Bernice_Stillin]

I have waited all these years for you to come to Rochester, NY. Hurrty up before I kck the bucket as, I won't last another 40 years. Congratulations to all of SWA

[Baerbel_Kindel]

CONGRATULATIONS, SOUTHWEST. Your airline is the BEST. We fly every three months from San Jose to Reno. It is a pleasure to be on board your aircrafts. The service is OUTSTANDING. Your employees are extremely accommodating. SOUTHWEST IS THE ONLY WAY TO FLY. Baerbel Kindel - June 18, 2011

[Jennie_Emineth]

We are you happy for SWA and proud to be apart of the SWARR family. Your 40 years is a true testimony to your commitment to customer service and affordability. We are deeply grateful for all of the savings opportunities SWARR has to offer its' customers in today's economy. May your next fourty years bring you even more prosperity and even better customer service with higher SWARR savings!! SWA IS THE ONLY WAY TO FLY TODAY! Congratulations! .

[dory_gordon]

I remember those Hot Pants the ladies wore!! now i am dating myself! I was a very young girl! Happy Birthday Southwest! My Parent company is turning 40 too! What a Great Time!

[Greg_Thomas]

Congrats to Southwest and Hard Rock--two fun companies who know how to take care of their customers. My wife and I are celebrating our 40th anniversary in July and we look forward to celebrating with Southwest and Hard Rock for years to come!

[JYippee]

Happy Birthday to the best way to fly! Thanks for how you do what you do. Have a great party!

[Doris_D__Elco]

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 40TH. I have been a fan from the start. In all of my 78 years, I have never had so much fun on any airlines. SOUTHWEST you are the best. KUDOS to you for not charging for baggage. I love you. Doris, Fountain Hills, Arizona

[Barbara_Ewing]

Only airline we will fly - they don't price gouge for every little thing and free luggage check is huge! The only time we had a problem (a 5 hour delay) due to equipment malfunction everyone on flight was sent a voucher for $150.00 to use anytime. Show me another airline who would do that! Great prices, good flight times for where we go and a fun atmosphere - if you have to fly this is the only way to go.

[Karen_Veronesi]

The Veronesi family of Westfield, MA, also loves Southwest and the ease of earning free flights with the SW credit card. Thanks for all of your employees' efforts. We look forward with great excitement to the beginning of trips in and out of Knoxville, TN. GO VOLS!

[Betty_P]

Congratulation SOUTHWEST AIR! My favorite way to go. Wouldn't trade it for anything. You always pull through!

[Dan_Rosencrance]

AS always our airline of choice. Great staff, great prices and a sense of humor, what more can you want?

[Susan_Glass]

Congratulations and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Southwest family. You were the first airline I ever flew on and you have always been my choice from that day on. I just booked my vacation flight and am looking forward to the trip. I hope to have many more. I retire this year and I hope to be able to fly with you more frequently. Thank you for all the good memories.

[Jim_Baughman]

I am glad you are here but I sure miss the old rewards program!

[JHenning]

We're old enough to remember when all Southwest flew was the triangle: Dallas-Houston-San Antonio, cash register receipts for tickets, "We shake our tails for you" along with white go go boots. It's always our favorite airline to fly. Keep up the great job you're doing.

[Larry_Quesenber]

When you had your 25th celebration you had special fares to all your destinations for $25.00 per leg. What about a 40th celebration with $40.00 airfares per each leg flown? We helped you celebrate 15 years ago we would like to do it again.

[richardlinwood]

doing it right for forty years! luv, luv, luv, could not have accomplish a great mile stone with great employee. celelbrate southwest you desere it!

[George_M__Terre]

As a commuting Flight Attendant for U S Airways from Nashville to Phoenix, Southwest has been a life line! My mother was dying and I traveled each week on Southwest to take care of her. Three months after she past away, my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and so the commute continues. Thank God for the family at Southwest who always welcomes me with open arms and genuine affection. HAPPY 40TH to you all!!! George M. Terrell

[James_Adair]

I am an A-List member and a very frequent flyer with your airline. Happy Birthday and please plan on 40+ more. I am looking forward to the Air Tran Consolidation. I live between Cleveland, Akron, and Pittsburg. Will be able to go just about anywhere when both of you are finally merged. Jim

[Miss_Butron]

I used to travel 52 weeks per year with Southwest and I miss their treatment. The ways their flight attendants made me feel was like a VIP. I got so confortable that my flights seem to be shorter and shorter every trip. HAPPY 40TH ANIVERSARY SOUTHWEST!!!!!.

[Jeff_Imparato]

Dear Airline of Choice 😆 , It is my pleasure to send you a 40th Anniversary Song. Southwest at 40. (To the tune: Beautiful Dreamer) Southwest at 40, best that there is No finer staff in the Airliner biz. Always so friendly, always so kind, I sure am glad, that I choose it as mine. Chorus: Southwest at 40, may you do well Leading the pack as your profits can tell. With your free luggage, where others charge You'll mop competitors up by and large. On this your Ruby Celebration You surely proved that you won't be outdone. Excellent service, people, and fares, You are the airline, we all know, that cares. Chorus: Southwest at 40, may you do well Leading the pack as your profits can tell. With your free luggage, where others charge You'll mop competitors up by and large. Congratulations on your 40th, may there be 40 times 40 more years ahead. Jeff Imparato, Loyal Customer.

[Moe1]

Congrats- you are the best airlines in the U.S. - I do wish you would fly to Atlanta Ga.

[SM_Brouhard]

Congratulations on 40 years! You have been flying me for over 30 years to see family and friends all over. You are my first choice in airlines. Keep it up! Thanks

[Ron_Fark]

Congrats to our favorite airline! In an era when air travel has become at times onerous and discouraging, Southwest is the bright star that helps us keep our sanity. I think my first flight on SW was in the early 80's when destination options were few. Today there is hardly any US destination that does not have SW. And despite your growth, the customer services and attitude has remained the same - exceptional! Congrats again on your achievements.

[Beverly_White]

Happy Birthday Southwest! Hope you have many many more! Can't wait to go up up and away on my next vacation with Southwest.....

[Bob_Sprague]

HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY SOUTHWEST!! WE SHARE THE SAME BIRTHDAY.......... I'M 71 YEARS YOUNG TODAY!! YOU ARE STILL THE HAPPIEST, FUN, ORGANIZED AIRLINE FLYING!!!!!!

[Marilyn_K__Long]

Have not flown with another airline in years!!! Why would anyone when a person can fly Southwest???? It is the best! Happy Birthday, and see you soon on the three bookings I have so far this summer!

[Janette_Monear]

Thanks Southwest for sharing your time and talents with us at the Texas Trees Foundation TXU Energy Urban Tree Farm & Education center yesterday. We repotted over 500 trees, dug over 165 holes, and worked 3 hours to spruce up the nursery. Happy Anniversary and thank you for sharing the Southwest Spirit!

[Gigi_Withey]

Always fly Southwest, even tho I have to drive 8 hrs ( live in the UP of Michigan) to get to the Airport in Milwaukee. Luv the convenience of Milwaukee, Many Happy Years of Flying Southwest!

[gene_bagley]

My marriage was built on $15 fares on Southwest 35 plus years ago. I lived in South Padre Island and my wife to be lived in Houston. Southwest kept us in contact almost every week.

[Cheryl_Guersch]

Happy Birthday, Southwest! What would I do without you! Thanks for always being there for me with your honest fares, free baggage, flexibility and luv. You're an old friend that I have come to rely on!

[Pat_Kelley]

Congratulations SWA and all the employees. Your are undoubtedly the best airlline I have ever flown with and the only one I fly with now. Never had any problems and don't expect any. Keep on expanding and show the rest of the airlines business what keeps customers coming back. Thks.

[Darlene_Taylor]

Congratulations on 40 great years. We have flown with you the whole time. You are by far the BEST airline there is and you care about your customers and have always given the best service and prices by far. We look forward to the next 40 years. You're the best!!!!!!!!!

[jill_mayer]

Aside from the great pricing, I love that Southwest gives its flight personnel the freedom to be human. Sometimes it is as if I am attending a stand-up comedy show and at other times it is as if I am part of a caring family adventure! Happy Anniversary!

[Kathleen_D_Snyd]

I have been flying with you since you started. LUV your airline.

[Lori_Zamarripa]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOUTH WEST........... same day and time you sprung into life my son was born.... .so we both share sothing special this day !!

[Deanna_Frandsen]

Happy Birthday Southwest! I always love flying SW I can book with confidence knowing that if something comes up and I need to change the dates, that I will not be charged a change fee. I also love that bags fly free! Keep up the good work!

[Angela_Orio]

I have benn floying Southwest for 20 years now and I love their superior customer service, great prices and hospitality. Will never fly any other airline. If Southwest doesn't fly there, neither do I.

[Deanna_Frandsen]

Happy Birthday Southwest! I always love flying SW I can book with confidence knowing that if something comes up and I need to change the dates, that I will not be charged a change fee. I also love that bags fly free! Keep up the good work!

[GoWSUCougs]

Happy 40th Birthday Southwest... We LUV you!!!! Laura & Scotty

[Lillie_R__McGui]

My Husband is handicapped. The only airline we fly is Southwest. They are so helpfull, courteous and friendly. Hope we can fly many more times.

[David_Doherty]

Happy birthday southwest. your airline is the best I,ve flown alout of them and the customer care at southwest is the best. THANK YOU for years of service. David Doherty,from arizona

[Carol_Garrett]

Congratulations Southwest on 40 years of great service. You are always my first choice when I fly. Keep up the good work.

[lisa_Rohner]

YOU ROCK SOUTHWEST!!!!! HAPPY 40TH!!

[Dorothy_Weeks]

Happy Birthday Southwest!! Thank you soooooo much for coming to Denver! Because of you we have been able to visit our aging parents back east so much more. They love you too!

[Leon_Williams]

Happy Aniversary to all the employees of SW. I have flown on SW numerous times and was always impressed by their service and on-time take-offs. I went to Haddon Heights High School with Herb Keleher and I'm proud of his great accomplishments.Say "Hi" to Herb.

[Toby_Smith]

We love flying Southwest!! The Flight Attendants make the instructions fun to hear! We'll see you when we fly to San Diego on August 1st!! Happy Anniversary!! Keep up the good work!!

[jeanne_McCrea]

I used to fly American on all of my travels but the Southwest team has won me over! They are always so nice, the flights take off and land on time, no bag fees, no charges for snacks or soft drinks - you know how to make a client feel good! I haven't flown on American in almost two years now & I used to be an executive gold with them. Go Southwest - I LUV you!

[Carol_Henne]

PLEASE COME TO ATLANTA AIRPORT. WE NEED YOU, DELTA IS NOT AN AIRLINE I WISH TO USE ANY MORE. DID YOU BUY AIRTRAN?