Skip to main content

Southwest Airlines Community

You're Gonna Make it After All!!!

Bill
Employee
Employee

Today Southwest announced our plans to add the 65th city to our network next March, and it’s one we have been asked about, often, for many years.

 

Twin Cities—get ready to fall in LUV!

 

Southwest plans to establish a “No Hidden Fees” zone at the  Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport in March 2009, bringing Low Fares and excellent Customer Service to the land of 10,000 lakes.  We’ll be giving the “Freedom To Fly” to folks flying to or from the home of the Twins.  And the Vikings.   And, of course, the home of Mary, Rhoda, Lou, Ted, and Murray (“Who can turn the world on with her smile?”  Any female Southwest Airlines Employee, of course…and, ya, you betcha, so can the guys!).  Trivia question:  where did they film the iconic scene from the opening title sequence of the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" where a twirling Mary Richards tosses her Tam O’Shanter into the air?  That would be the intersection of 7th and Nicollet, in downtown Minneapolis.

 

We’re excited to be adding Minneapolis/St. Paul to the Southwest route system for lots of reasons.  Some are all business—the area has a booming economy,  and it complements our existing network beautifullyOther reasons are all pleasure—the beautiful lakes and woods, the Mall of America, the incredible arts scene, the St. Paul Ice Festival (and I have to admit, it was news to this Texas boy that you can have FUN with ICE!), and so many other wonderful activities.  But the biggest reason we’re excited, and able, to finally add MSP to our system is that you guys—our Customers and our Employees—have told us that it’s time.

 

We will announce the details--the flight schedule, the fares, and the start date—in the not-too-distant future.  I’ll make sure to give you guys a heads-up here on “Nuts About Southwest” when we do.  And what’s next?

 

I’ll never tell.  *wink*

151 Comments
Happy_to_See_SW
Explorer C
This is great news, I just saw it on TV and can't hardly believe we finally have competition to the overpriced, poor service NWA. Welcome to the Twin Cities SWA. Please fight for as many gate as you can get so we can now get up and see the country at an affordable cost. I used to live in SLC and flew SWA several times a month and have missed your airline for 13 long years. Your service was always great, polite, enjoyable staff and great fares. Don't let Delta or NWA bully you around, they haven't paid the state (Taxpayers) back for the last bailouts and people here don't like them and the change has been long overdue. Please add warm climate locations first after Chicagoland, Florida, Arizona, San Francisco, and Cancun. Welcome again!!
Chris_in_ABQ
Explorer C
Well now I have fewer excuses to go up there in the winter to visit relatives... glad it is finally happening. Think of all the great international flights available from MSP too. I may very well go to Europe this summer WITHOUT passing through New York, Atlanta or Houston. NWA still can have a decent international flight (esp. when its KLM flying). Cheers!
Bob_Ganz
Explorer C
Phoenix to Rochester, MN, maybe via Las Vegas? Would be a terrific route.
A_Customer_of_B
Adventurer C
This is awesome! Great move Southwest! Chicago is a great city to connect it to as well because it offers connections from/to almost all of your network. Good luck and I hope it works out well for you(I can't imagine how it couldn't once everyone gets a taste of your great fares and customer service that all of us in your other cities have come to know so well).
MStearman
Explorer C
Thank goodness. A trip to Minneapolis is a 11 - 12 hour drive from Oklahoma. We love and exclusively travel on SW, so this will make our trips to visit my wife's family a greater experience.
Anonymous108
Explorer C
wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hhhhhooooooooooo
Bob22
Explorer C
Good news never seems to cease at Southwest. Glad to know you are going to MSP next Spring, and hope it's into Lindbergh Terminal because of the majority of car rentals and hotel shuttle buses. Looking forward to the new schedule when it comes on line!
Anonymous375
Explorer C
Hip-Hip-Horray! SWA saved the day! Having family in the TC it's going to be easier to get back and forth. BTW - It was always called the St. Paul Winter Carnival - when did it change to the Ice Festival?
Bill
Employee
Employee
Wow!! You guys are fast! kajivar, yes, we will be serving the Humphrey Terminal (which, BTW, is the closest airport station on the Hiawatha light-rail station to the Mall Of America!). luvswairlines, don't forget all of the other airports Southwest serves that have difficult climates for airline operations. Buffalo--Chicago--Manchester--the Gulf Coast--all have their moments, and we're doing okay there! Bill
Anonymous4294
Explorer C
Hip Hip Hooray!! This can't happen soon enough. I fly out of MSP 3 out of 4 weeks often on the so called hometown airline. They are not so Minnesota Nice! Can't wait til Southwest is here.
Carl3
Explorer C
Hooray!!! This is FANTASTIC news. Thank you Bill! We welcome the whole Southwest Family to Minesota. In fact...I'd love to have you all over for some Hotdish and Ice Fishing! How many can I expect??? Perhaps we can plan the party during the "Winter Carnival" in St. Paul. (Fabulous Marketing Idea) Let me know how I can help!
Tim_D
Explorer C
Ohhhhh Thank God. I am so tired of getting ripped off by Northworst. I have flown over a million miles with NW and I hate so many things about them. I fly a lot and get free upgrades on NW but I'm taking all my business to Southwest. They seem to actually care about the customer, what a concept. I can't wait for Southwest to get here. I was dancing in the streets when I heard the news. I'm sick and tired of Northworst and the little planes they seem to fly just about everywhere now. Good riddance to Northwest.
Anonymous4178
Explorer C
YAY!! I moved to the Twin Cities two years ago from a city that has SW service and I've been eagerly waiting for this announcement. I've missed flying SW so I'm really looking forward to booking my first flight on SW next year.
Anonymous4063
Explorer A
The media in Minneapolis is saying Southwest will be at the Humphrey terminal with two gates but only flying to Chicago. This is unlike Southwest to do this (and costly.) Are you going to be flying to more cities? It would be nice to see Denver or Las Vegas to handle west cost traffic. As well as St. Louis or Nashville for people going to the Southeast and Florida.
Anonymous1339
Explorer C
YAHOO!!! I fly to MN about 4 times to visit family and am thrilled about the fact there will now be three of you competing for my business!!!
Jared1
Explorer C
Thank goodness! I'm originally from New England, and there is no affordable way to fly from Minneapolis to Manchester, NH. This is wonderful news!
Anonymous2873
Explorer C
July 1971 - Age 9 - flew 1st southwest flight from Dallas to Houston - flew in at night and amazed as a kid seeing the lights of such a huge city. July 1999 - Age 37 - flew 1st scheduled commercial flight on Suncountry Airlines out of aging Humphrey Terminal (10 gates). 2001 - Favorite Airline (Suncountry) shuts down operations and I no longer have the option to fly 1st class, nonstop from MSP to Houston and DFW for $229 roundtrip. My 300,000 miles are useless and I get an apology letter from Corporate. 2000-2002 - Resorted to flying Vanguard Airlines from MSP to Kansas City and then on to DFW. Then catch the $16 bus over to Love Field to board a SWA flight to get to Houston, San Antonio or Austin. 2002 - Moved to Minnesota from Houston and experienced the NWA monopoly. Purchased many tickets for $649 to fly from MSP to MDW and then pick up SWA at Midway to complete my business travel. A Minnesota resident who hated NWA and all of their whining employees. 2003-2006 - ATA is my new option for MSP to MDW and once again, my business travels duck the nonsense that is dished out by NWA. Doesn't matter if I stay over a saturday night or book 5 months in advance, I still can't afford/justify flights on NWA. 2006-2008 - I fly MSP to MDW on Airtran for $39 each way for 2 years. Of course I always jump on SWA at Midway to get to my final destination. 3 airports and 2 carriers to get to my destination but save 10's of thousands of dollars over 3 year period by NOT flying NWA. May 2008 - I fly the final flight on Airtran from MSP to MDW for $109. June 2008 - The only way to get cheap airfare is to take Airtran from MSP to Atlanta and then fly west or north out of that obnoxious airport in Georgia. Why? Because now that there is no longer ATA, Airtran, Vanguard or a reasonable city/flight on Sun Country (which came back by the way) MY ONLY OPTION TO GET TO CHICAGO IS ON NWA AND AS SOON AS AIRTRAN PULLED OUT, Suddenly, THE FLIGHTS ON NWA THAT WERE $59 EACH WAY IN APRIL OF 2008 ARE NOW $499 ROUNDTRIP FROM MSP TO MDW. Criminal NWA! Just wrong of you to do such a thing. Supply and demand huh? October 2008 - The long awaited announcement wakes me up at 6:38 in the morning. I'm sleeping soundly but the Minneapolis newscast is blaring in the background. I think I'm having a dream and that SWA has announced that after 15 years of "thinking about it" they ARE FINALLY GOING TO BITE THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS in a monopoly market and set up shop in St. Paul! I put my feet on the ground beside my bed, grab the remote and hit rewind on the DVR. This is REAL ! I'm not having a dream! Finally the favorite airline of North America is going to allow naive Minnesotans the opportunity to discover that you DON'T have to pay $1012 to fly from MSP to Hartford with 3 weeks advance notice and an overnight stay on Saturday. My 1st airplane ride was on Southwest and now that my home airport will be serviced by Southwest, this will probably be my last plane ride. As my team of Doctors keep telling me that lung cancer survival won't be an easy road, my days ahead are brightened with the opportunity to travel each week on an affordable airline. I will actually get to see friends and family across the country next year. THANK YOU SOUTHWEST! This announcement brings great joy!
Plano_Gopher
Explorer C
Great news! I moved from Minneapolis to Dallas 5 years ago and having to fly Northworst back there is the worst part. You should really look at flying from MSP to MCI or STL to make it easier on your hometown faithful (well, until Wright is fully gone anyway)!!!
Anonymous389
Explorer C
This is KILLER!!! Have been waiting 9 years for this to happen. Fire up the STL-MSP route and drinks are on me!!!!!!
Michele_Erwin
Explorer C
Humphrey terminal is so much more convenient than Lindbergh. That's great news. But, Why do we have to wait until March? And why only to/from Chicago? We want SW nationally AND RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!
Anonymous2754
Explorer C
Hooray! We are grandparents living in NH, with family in MN. I was getting increasingly depressed about the cost of flying to see our grandchildren...even to the point of reducing our trips from 4 to 3 per year! Now, we may be able to fly even more often. Thank you, thank you!
txisgr8
Explorer C
this has put a smile on my face ever since i heard the news. i live in amarillo tx and have family in the twin cities. every time i want to go visit them (or vice versa) i have to drive 16 hours to see them because i don't want to pay an outrageous amount to fly another airline! the timing of this could not be better! as my sister is due to have her first baby in april. as soon as it's available, i will buy a ticket for my wife and i to travel to msp! i can't wait to hit mystic lake casino for seafood buffet night!!! minesotans you guys really lucked out, oh yeah, ya bet 'cha. i remember years ago when us texans had to defend their beloved little airline (swa) to the "big dogs" making fun of our peanuts. ha! who's laughing now? yeah, we still get peanuts but at least they're free! lol. and not having to pay to travel with luggage is not only awesome but also a no brainer. normally, if you're traveling by plane, it means you're going to be staying a while right? so how do they expect people to go on a trip without luggage? doesn't make sense. basically, they're penalizing people for wanting to travel by air. living in amarillo we've really lucked out as southwest is one of only three airlines that serves our city. a couple of years ago we had five. a couple years from now, we may only have one. but you better believe that if that day comes, southwest will be the last one standing. please southwest, nyc next! -chad
Anonymous4023
Explorer C
I have been waiting for a long time for Southwest to come to Minneapolis! 🙂 I've flown Southwest twice in my life, and it was the best treatment I've ever received on a flight. I can tell y'all have a lot of fun working for Southwest, and it's so exciting Minnesota finally gets to feel the Luv.
Anonymous371
Explorer C
Great news!! PHX-MSP please!!!
isoopto
Explorer C
Halleluujah! Please hurry, rescue us from the big bad airline that lives here! I am 50 - 75,000 miles each year and I'm ready to switch.
Matt9
Explorer C
What great news! I just moved to St. Paul from Detroit and have been dreading having to fly NW all the time to visit family back home. I would rather take a connecting flight through MDW with Southwest than any NW flight anywhere. Thanks Southwest, and the sooner you start, the better!
Anonymous566
Explorer C
You can rely on 2 NWA passengers to switch to Southwest even with a stop in Chicago at every opportunity...many of us have waited a long time to see Southwest to come to MSP
Mardo
Explorer C
You rock, SWA!!! I echo the sentiments of all who are beside themselves with this long overdue news!! You have made a family of native Arizonans and New Mexicans very happy!! Where can I get a job application?!
John_R
Explorer C
This is best news I've heard in awhile. Fares on NWA to MDW have been sick since ATA and AirTran pulled out. We look forward to your service and FAIR prices. Lookout Dougie!!
Bryan11
Explorer C
Welcome, with open arms! Looking forward to seeing you.
Kristina1
Explorer C
This is the best news ever!! Welcome to the Twin Cities!! I moved here from Texas a number of years ago and have been waiting for you to make your way here. I'll be checking the site often to see when I can start booking flights. Thank you Southwest!! You'll be a great addition to MSP.
Pat8
Explorer C
This is fantastic news! I asked a counter agent less than two months ago if you would ever go to MSP. This is some of the best travel news I have heard in a long time! Thanks!
Bill30
Explorer C
Thank you! I work out of Chicago and Minn-St Paul has been the one market I could not get to on SWA. This really made my day -Thank you! Bill
Deb31
Explorer C
OMG, I am SOOOO excited!!! I have been waiting for this---finally some competition and some reasonable fares!!! I love my family and will finally get to see them more often!! THANK YOU SO MUCH, BIG HUGS TO WHOEVER DECIDED THIS!!! Deb
Anonymous3019
Explorer C
Bill - I haven't had the chance to talk to you yet - we'll save the conversation for when I'm less emotional. Thanks - to you, and Gary, and Pete, and Brook, and Adam, and Nicholas - thanks for giving this girl a ride home.
James_B_and_Pam
Explorer C
THANK YOU Southwest for finally coming to the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes' . . . . God Bless Ya! We're so sick of NWA. You will love the twin cities and our loyalty. We can't wait!
Vegas_LUV
Explorer C
Always great to see a new city added to the LUV network...and I can definitely tell that this particular destination has awaited WN service for years. Best of luck on the new service at MSP, and hope to see LAS nonstop at some point in the future! VegasLUV
TimboTiki
Explorer C
Words can't express how glad I am to see that Southwest is coming to MSP. I can't add anything new here to what has already been said. I'm tired of being more or less forced to use NWA, an airline that used to be enjoyable to fly but has since become a chore.
Anonymous1916
Explorer C
Thank you, thank you, thank you -- you heard my wish! as a prior resident of Mpls, I was always frustrated with the monoply of another airline. I regularly travel to ca and always book on SW. Thanks again for the Mpls flights!
Shawco9
Explorer C
Hooray. A great metro area finally gets a great airline. I live in Chicago, and MSP is the only place I travel to regularly that I couldn't fly SWA to. I hope you expand service there like you did for Denver. They're ready for you.
rancho_cucamong
Explorer C
I am stoked! I moved to CA 8 years ago and fly Southwest as often as I can. Being a former NWA Gold/Silver Elite member for years I thought NWA was good. SWA IS GREAT! Unbeatable service, on time departures, a FF program that is based on flights flown (not total miles like the rest) and did I mention great service!!!! My family and I can not wait....thank you SWA answering our repeated requests!!!!
Robert_S
Explorer B
Hallelujah! Ever since close family moved to MSP I've had to push a bunch of my travel to other airlines to get there (eating some change fees along the way). This closes that big network hole for this A-lister. It will be nice to see all the nationwide SWA advertising aired in MSP put to good use now, too. Nice!
lincco
Explorer C
At last, MSP! Hope they have connecting service to MSP from ABQ and TPA. I make 2 trips each year out of ABQ to/from MSP and have family in FL that do the same out of TPA.
Anonymous3990
Explorer C
I am trying to find an email address to send a resume for a Flight Attendant position. Is there an email address for this? I do not find that SWA is hiring however I would like to put an application on file. I am an experienced flight attendant presently flying with a legacy carrier. Thanks for the help.
Jeanette
Explorer C
I am so glad to see Southwest going into MSP. I have been flying them to Vegas and New Hampshire for a few years. Have family in MSP and had to use other airlines from Florida. Come on Southwest we need service from Fl to Msp. Thank you Jeanette
Anonymous1962
Explorer C
Can we make it sooner then March 2009??? I am so tired of paying $500 - $800 for a ticket form MSP to Chicago for a one hour flight. I hope the other airlines between MSP and CHI will loose all of their customers to Southwest!
Anonymous4354
Explorer C
There is no need for a testing basis. I can guaranty that all the flights will be filled. All the AA flights to MSP are always overbooked. I have been dreaming of the day Southwest would open a route there. Now we can visit the parents in Minnesota for less. THANK YOU, SOUTHWEST!!!!
Anonymous1734
Explorer C
Becoming a new grandma in March, thought I wasn's going to see the new baby to often but thanks to SW Airline that will change. Thanks again, New Grandma to be
Sairey
Explorer C
This totally just made my day! No more change fees and baggage fees! I'll be able to get home from Nashville for less than $500 now (at least I hope)!
Amy15
Explorer C
You guys are THE BEST!!! Thank you so much for adding Mpls/St. Paul to your list of destinations - It is about time somebody come ito town and show NWA how to service customers!!! It is goodbye NWA for me!!!!!!!! YEHHH!!!!