Southwest Airlines Community

Here's the fourth question in our Nuts About Southwest birthday contest: In March 2007, what Southwest Blogger was mentioned prominently on the front page of the New York Times? Fred Taylor is the answer. Comments are closed ... View more

Here's the third Nuts About Southwest birthday contest question: Does Brian Lusk like Candy Corn or not?  You’ll have to go back to October 2006 to find out. You have one hour. Everyone thinks I like it, but I don't. Comments are closed ... View more

Here is the second question in our Nuts About Southwest birthday contest: Captain Ray Stark wrote about the day in the life of a Pilot in June 2006.  In what city did Day 2 of his trip begin? Due to web difficulties, we will leave this one active until 12:30 Central Time Day 2 began in San Diego.  Comments are closed ... View more

Here's the first hourly question in the contest about which Christi wrote: In May of 2006, which member of our Blog Team wrote about his family reunions that were held in Glen Rose, Texas? due to web difficulties, we will keep this question active until 12:30 Bill Owen is right.  Comments are closed on this one ... View more

Thanks to Bill Owen for his great Flashback Friday on Newark last week!  This week we return to Southwest’s early days to look at our fourth destination, Harlingen.  The photos come from a batch of negatives that haven’t seen light in over 35 years. Harlingen is an interesting subject because it was the first city to which we expanded after our three original cities, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.  By choosing Harlingen, we passed over more logical cities like Austin and El Paso, and it triggered the “Battle for the Rio Grande Valley” with Texas International.  Although they served many parts of the state, Texas International had a virtual monopoly on service to the Valley, where they served McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen, and other destinations.  Their primary intent was to carry passengers to Dallas or Houston to connect to other carriers, and the fares they charged for local traffic were high.  In 1973, Southwest asked the Texas Aeronautics Commission (TAC) for authority to begin service to nearby Harlingen.  The case took two years to hear, but on February 6, 1975, the TAC awarded Southwest the authority.  On February 11, 1975, Harlingen became Southwest’s fourth city.  Shortly after that, TI filed suit against the TAC and Southwest contesting the route award.  During the year that Harlingen service was being contested in the court, Southwest filed application to add five more cities, Austin, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Lubbock, and Midland/Odessa to the system.  On October 28, 1976, a state district court had upheld the TAC’s granting of Harlingen service, and TI declined to appeal.   These photos show that our early Harlingen Station operated at a different pace than our other cities.  The photo above has much more in common with air travel in the 1950s than the 1970s, and a gate was just that, a gate in the fence leading to the ramp.  Notice that, except for some garment bags and very small carryons, there are no carryon items.  The roll up doorway just behind the three men leading the way out of the gate is Texas International’s operations and bag makeup area.   Our Agent above is collecting a very old version of our plastic boarding passes.  Back then, Passengers who wanted to sit in smoking, which was at the back of the plane, boarded first.  The button she is wearing reads:  “Have a good time on Southwest Airlines.”    At the checkin desk, the Agent is exchanging the paper tickets, which were cash register receipts, for the plastic boarding passes.  The tickets are on the counter in front of her, and the boarding passes are in the cubby hole just beyond.   I find two things very interesting in the above photo.  One is that apparently there was no belt loader or it was broken on this day.  The second is that it illustrates how everyone pitches in to get things done as the man in the uniform coat and tie is probably either an Operations Agent or a Supervisor.  The cart has some athletic bags from the local Pan American University.   And of course, the Valley is known for citrus fruit, and it appears that one of the Passengers has fashioned luggage out of orange and grapefruit boxes.   The airplane is N26SW, a Boeing 737-2H4, and since we obtained that aircraft in July 1975, we know the station has been in operation for a few months when these photos were taken.  Since a lot of the Customers have lightweight jackets, my guess is that the photos were taken the fall of 1975 or spring of 1976. ... View more

Southwest Airlines Pilots, AirTran Pilots, and Carriers Reach Four-Party AgreementPact Provides for Implementation Schedule DALLAS, April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Earlier today, the respective Unions representing Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and AirTran Airways Pilots, as well as both Companies signed a Four-Party Process Agreement that provides for the two pilot groups to begin their seniority integration discussions prior to legal closing of the AirTran acquisition. It also outlines provisions of an implementation schedule in the event an agreement is reached on an integrated seniority list (ISL). Southwest anticipates closing on its acquisition of AirTran Airways in second quarter of 2011. "This is yet another important step in the overall process of bringing these two great carriers together," said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "I applaud both sides for signing this important agreement that lays the groundwork for bringing together these two hard working Pilot groups." The Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) and the Air Line Pilots' Association (ALPA) can now begin the work of integrating seniority lists in accordance with the McCaskill-Bond Act. This new Four-Party Process Agreement also creates a timeline for SWAPA and ALPA to reach an ISL agreement. If an agreement is not reached during this timeframe, the matter will be sent to arbitration and a new implementation process will have to be negotiated. After nearly 40 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 72 cities in 37 states. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

Twice before, I have led myself astray when I thought I had uncovered photos from Houston Hobby in the early 1970s.  Compared to Dallas or San Antonio, our archives have little to reflect our early operations at Hobby.  Well, those days are over, and I uncovered these amazing photos.  Having actually flown into the airport when it was Houston International, I knew the scope of the building’s facilities.  These photos don’t look like anything such a busy airport would have offered.  Dan Johnson in Dispatch, and who was a very early Operations Agent at Hobby, helped set me straight, and in the process we discovered something even more historically significant:  The photos were taken during a pivotal point in Southwest's history when the survival of the Company was in real danger.  Upon looking at the photos, Dan e-mailed me:  “That is most definitely Hobby.  When we reopened airline service at the older airport in late 1971, Southwest was located in the old international building attached to the main terminal.  In fact, it was (it’s gone now) just before the road/ramp went up to the main building.  We did not have jetbridges, and all boarding.was at ramp level."  The photo above looks like the baggage claim at a small-town airport instead of one of the nation’s biggest cities.  Ramp Agents just rolled up the door and set the bags inside the terminal.  The photo above shows a few bags left unclaimed.  The ticket counter is straight ahead, and the outbound waiting area for the gate are the seats to the right.  If you look carefully, you can see the edge of the Braniff ticket counter next to ours. Above, this photo offers a view of the waiting area from behind the ticket counter.  The Braniff  ticket counter is just behind the wall beyond our two Employees, and both airlines shared the waiting area.  Dan is able to identify the Employee on the right as Ollie Ross.  Looking back the other direction, we see a man patiently waiting for his boarding announcement.  The gate doorways are directly in front of him.  Dan remembers the building’s less than ideal ergonomics:  “So imagine if you will, those low ceilings, the inbound Passengers mixing with the outbound, trying to get their luggage while the outbounders were trying to get through that small opening that led to the ramp.  It was the most crowded mess and loud stressful wild and wooly time you can imagine.”  Note how the cash register that dispensed the tickets (as receipts) dominates the counter. If the age of the photos wasn’t special enough, take a look at the one above.  Two items date the scene to a very critical point in Southwest’s history.  The poster to the extreme right on Braniif's counter announces a “Get Acquainted Fare.”  Braniff had cut our fare between Houston and Dallas in half, and while neither airline could make a profit on that low a fare, Braniff had “deeper pockets” and could wait us out to either take all of our Customers at that fare or for us to go broke matching their fare.  Our response is on the big easel in front of the Southwest counter.  It includes the famous advertisement where our President, Lamar Muse, proclaims that “Nobody’s going to shoot us out of the sky for a lousy $13.”  Southwest gave our Customers a choice, they could pay the $13 fare, but if they paid the full fare of $25, we would give then a fifth of premium liquor.  Since most of our Customers were on expense travel, they paid the full fare, put it on the expense report, and took the bottle home.  During this summer of 1973,  we became the largest distributor of Chivas, Crown Royal, and Smirnoff in Texas.  When he spoke about Montgomery's victory over Rommel at El Alamein, Winston Churchill said: "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."  The same was true going forward for Southwest.  Crisis and battles loomed all over Texas and beyond, but the $13 Fare War established Southwest as the underdog in many folks’ minds. The airline had turned the corner, and 1973 became the first of 38 consecutive years of annual profitability. ... View more

Flashback Friday, A Look at Southwest’s First Hangar   With airport remodeling underway in Dallas and San Antonio, much of our original airport infrastructure from our origin in 1971 has now met the wrecking ball.  Our original gates/ticket counter/operations at Houston George Bush Intercontinental may still be intact, but I can’t verify that.  However, the original temporary ticketing and gate areas that served as our home when we moved to Houston Hobby are long gone.  Yet, tucked off in a far, almost inaccessible part of Love Field is our original Headquarters and Maintenance campus.  Before we flashback to some historical photos, let’s take a look at our original hangar and headquarters as they look today (above).  This scene is on the northern side of Love Field on Love Field Drive, across Runway 13 Right from our current Headquarters/Maintenance campus.  You are looking at the birthplace of the Southwest story, and it’s pretty amazing that these remnants of aviation’s past are still with us.  But they are, tucked behind a larger and newer hangar.  Southwest’s first hangar is the last building with a rounded roof to the right in the photo.  The exterior door has been modified so it really can’t serve as a hangar anymore, but there is no mistaking the building’s history.  The airport’s original passenger terminal from the 1920s is the building with bay windows just to the right of the fire truck.   The photo above turns the clock back to Southwest’s early days.  It’s a night photo, and it’s facing all five of these buildings that are seen in the modern photo above from a different direction. Just above the closest walking figure and just beyond the maintenance van is a smaller square building almost hidden in the shadows and beyond that, another Quonset-shaped (semi-circular roof) hangar.  Just beyond that point, the building with all of the bright interior lights is the original 1920’s Love Field passenger terminal.  The former terminal at 3300 Love Field Drive served as our original Headquarters.  In this photo, it appears to have been converted to a FBO (fixed-base operator), which would mean that our Headquarters would have already moved off the airport to its next location on Regal Row.  The larger building all the way to the left of the photo is the one with white doors in the modern photo, and it sits next to the ARFF (Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting station).  The aircraft in the scene above, Boeing 737-2H4, N26SW, helps us confirm the date of the photo.  Since that aircraft was delivered to Southwest in July 1975, we know the photo has to be from sometime after that, and it could easily be the winter of 1976/77.  Two factors let us know that these photos were taken during the winter.  First off, the hangar door is closed.  Even today, hangars aren’t air conditioned, so the doors come open at the first sign of any warmer weather.    The second clue above is more obvious.  Take a look at how the Mechanic working outside on the engine in the photo above is bundled up.  By the way, you can see the tail of this aircraft at the upper left in the first black and white photo. When we walk into the hangar (photo above), we see that N26SW is up on jacks.  This is normally done when Mechanics have to work on the landing gear.  One of the Mechanics is also going to take a look at the engine.  The space between the rubber baffling on the door's cutout and the fuselage gives some doubt about how effectively the baffling seals the door to keep the cold out.  On this night, it doesn’t help that the main hangar door is cracked open at the right edge of the photo.  Since these hangars date from the mid 1920s, it’s hard to imagine all of the different types of aircraft that have been serviced here.    I hope to revisit this area with some early Headquarters photos.  But in the meantime, these historic buildings sit unnoticed and forgotten.  The next time you are on a Southwest flight taxiing to the takeoff end of Runway 13 Right, take a glance over to your right and take a long gander at the spot where the operations of Southwest Airlines began. ... View more

Carrier, Stock Clerks Ratify New, Five-Year Agreement DALLAS, March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Southwest Airlines and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Airlines Division, representing the carrier's Material Specialists (formerly known as Stock Clerks), announced today that the IBT membership ratified a mutually beneficial tentative agreement. The agreement is for a new, five-year contract through Aug. 16, 2013. The current contract became amendable on Aug. 16, 2008. One year ago, Southwest and the Teamsters agreed to seek assistance from the National Mediation Board through the mediation process as defined by the Railway Labor Act. IBT represents more than 170 Southwest Airlines Employees. "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with this valued workgroup," said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "The new agreement incorporates a job title change that better reflects the functions performed by the IBT members. The new contract also provides for wage and benefit enhancements in exchange for work rule improvements and contract flexibility, which are important elements for Southwest to effectively compete and set a path toward growth." In its 40th year of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 71 cities in 36 states. On March 13, 2011, Southwest initiated service to Charleston and Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina, and on March 27, 2011, service will begin to Newark Liberty International Airport. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

After I published the two Flashback Fridays about the coming of the jet age (click here and here to read them), I heard from one of our Representatives at our Phoenix Center.  Wayne asked me to provide him with a reading list on this fascinating era, which even today, still has residual effects on our industry.  I thought I might take this opportunity to share that list with all of you and maybe to flesh it out a bit more.   Of course, it helps if you lived through those times.  A time when young boys like I was would pay special attention to any airplane with a jet engine and spend hours of anticipation wondering what your first jet flight would be like.  And, at the same time, we wept over seeing essentially brand new aircraft like the DC-7 and Super G Constellations being relegated to scrap heaps years before they should have retired.  But, firsthand experience isn’t necessary, not as long as you have access to books and photos.   A must-have book for anyone with an interest in how airlines operated before the jets is is Ernest K. Gann’s first autobiography, Fate is the Hunter.  He writes about his life as an American DC-2 and DC-3 pilot before World War 2, his time with the Air Transport Command all over the globe during the war, and then with Matson Airlines flying DC-4s from the West Coast to Hawaii, and later Trans Ocean out of OAK.  There is a movie that borrows his title but has no relevance to the book, so read, don’t watch this one.  Another of Gann’s books is a great novel and a great movie, The High and the Mighty.  Based on one of the true stories described in Fate is the Hunter, The High and the Mighty describes the early days of transoceanic travel by land-based aircraft.  The final chapters provide a tense, nail biting description of how the old radio-beam navigation system worked.   Covering much of the same period is Flying the Oceans by Horace Brock, a Yale graduate who joined Pan American as a lowly apprentice pilot.  New Pan Am pilots had to work in all areas of the company including reservations and maintenance before moving to the cockpit, where they weren’t allowed to touch anything during their initial training.  In his personal story, we see many of the technical innovations that Pan Am developed that improved aviation safety.  As a senior Captain and Pan Am executive, he played a major role in the introduction of many of Pan American’s post-war aircraft.   Noted aviation writer, Robert Serling (brother of the Twilight Zone’s Rod Serling) wrote a novel, The Left Seat, that covers the last year that piston aircraft ruled the airways.  It’s a bit preachy, but a priceless look at when the DC-7 was the newest aircraft in the sky.   Next are two more recent books that specifically depict the transition from the big heavy piston engines to the jet.  Jet Age by Sam Howe Verhovek tells the story of the development of the de Havilland Comet and the Boeing 707.     For a pictorial look at the period Verhovek describes, grab a copy of From Props to Jets: Commercial Aviation's Transition to the Jet Age 1952-1962.  Those are the crucial ten years that virtually eliminated the big radial piston engine airliner.  The book has great period airport shots, interiors, and airborne shots.  The shot of the DC-8 taking off on the cover epitomizes those early days when the sky really wasn’t the limit and speed meant everything.   One final book anyone with an interest in U.S. airline history should have is Airlines of the United States since 1914, by R.E. G. Davies.  Ron Davies is Curator of Air Transport for the Smithsonian.  I proudly own the 1972 version of this book, which was printed in England, but it was updated in 1982.  If you want an accurate, concise history of the airlines of America, this is it.  Everything is here, from the development of airway beacons to the air mail controversies of the 1930s, the rise of the local carriers in the 1940s, and the “new” edition contains the push to deregulation.  The appendix is one of the most amazing parts of the book, and it is filled with maps drawn by Davies and family trees.    Most of these books are out of print, but you should be able to find used copies online.  With summer coming up, why not grab one of these books, head to someplace like the In-N-Out Burger near LAX and let aviation overwhelm your senses. ... View more

Thu, Mar 17, 2011 - DALLAS - Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) is currently in contract negotiations with its Dispatchers, represented by Transport Workers Union (TWU) 550. At yesterday's negotiating session, the carrier announced that it will seek assistance from the National Mediation Board through the mediation process as defined by the Railway Labor Act. "We are naturally disappointed that we have been unable to reach an agreement with the Transport Workers Union 550," said Greg Wells, Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President of Operations. "Southwest Airlines is committed to rewarding our Dispatchers for their hard work and productivity. At the same time, we must reach a fair and equitable agreement that we believe will ensure the continued competitiveness and financial stability of the entire company. Mediation is another method to assist in the collective bargaining process, and we look forward to working with a Mediator to arrive at a contract that is acceptable to everyone." Dates for mediation sessions have not been set. TWU 550 represents approximately 185 Southwest Airlines Dispatchers. The Company's current contract with TWU 550 became amendable in November 2009. ... View more

LANZATE TAKES OFF! DALLAS, March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), in conjunction with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), today opened applications for "Lanzate," an annual travel award program supporting education. Online applications will be accepted through April 29, 2011, at www.hacu.net . The program is geared toward college students with economic need who must travel away from home to pursue higher education. A panel of judges comprised of college professors and education advocates from coast to coast will gather this summer to select winners from the pool of students who complete the online form. All of the participants must submit an essay describing their inspiration to pursue a college degree. Each student will be eligible for up to four tickets for use by the student and/or a parent traveling to/from the university. To view the criteria for the 2011 award program, please visit: http://swamedia.com/documents/Criteria2011.pdf "As HACU celebrates its Silver Anniversary this year, we are appreciative of our continued partnership with Southwest Airlines that has helped so many college students stay connected with their families," said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. "For the past seven years, the Lanzate travel program has made a difference in the lives of students by providing them a travel award incentive as they pursue their dream of a higher education." Nearly 2,000 students have submitted applications in the past six years, leading to the success of this educational program. "Southwest Airlines facilitates the Freedom of Flying to deserving students, who struggle to make their dreams of higher education come true. Staying connected to the family can make a big difference on that educational journey," said Christine Ortega, Southwest Airlines Manager of Community Affairs and Grassroots. "This program reunites families when, for example, students might not get to go home during Christmas break. This program also helps celebrate their proudest moments, when a student moves into a dorm or graduates with a college degree." To read more about the program, visit our corporate blog at: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/southwest-airlines-yeast-behind-take-offlanzate-travel-award HACU, which has its national headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, represents approximately 450 colleges and universities, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), which collectively serve more than two-thirds of all Hispanic higher education students in the United States and Puerto Rico. HACU's international membership includes leading higher education institutions in Latin America and Europe. About Southwest Airlines In its 40th year of service, Southwest Airlinescontinues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded; now serving 71 cities in 36 states and will begin serving Newark Liberty International Airport on March 27, 2011. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees. SOURCE Southwest Airlines   ... View more

- All-New Rapid Rewards Launched March 1st - Southwest Offers Ten Million Point Giveaway Sweepstakes - Southwest Teams up with Internet Sensation Dude Perfect to Score Points for the All-New Rapid Rewards Program DALLAS, March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) recently launched the carrier's new frequent flyer program, All-New Rapid Rewards, and to celebrate, Southwest is giving away ten million Rapid Rewards Points to Members (and those who sign up) through an online sweepstakes. In the Ten Million Point Giveaway, 100 lucky Members will each win 100,000 Rapid Rewards Points. The sweepstakes will run from March 15 through March 31, 2011. For complete promotion details and to register to win, visit: www.southwest.com/bigshot. If you're not already a Rapid Rewards Member, you can sign up for the program to become eligible to win. To read a blog post from Southwest's Senior Director of Customer Loyalty and Partnerships Ryan Green, visit: www.blogsouthwest.com. Southwest teamed up with the internet sensation basketball trick-shot artists, Dude Perfect, to score points for the All-New Rapid Rewards program. Customers who register for the promotion will be entertained by Dude Perfect, which has filmed a variety of basketball trick shots to show off their skills using a Southwest Boeing 737, in a Southwest Maintenance Hangar, and around Southwest's corporate headquarters. Southwest and Dude Perfect will showcase the trick shots in a series of videos that will be unveiled throughout the promotion on www.southwest.com/bigshot, culminating in one fantastic Big Shot, which will be unveiled, along with the winners, on Monday, April 4, 2011. "With the recent launch of the All-New Rapid Rewards program and the NCAA basketball tournament just around the corner, we teamed up with Dude Perfect to give away ten million points to our Members and entertain fans at the same time," said Southwest's Senior Director of Customer Loyalty and Partnerships Ryan Green. "Our new program has several winning attributes, including unlimited reward seats, no blackout dates, and no point expiration with any earning activity within 24 months." Southwest announced the details of the new program in January 2011 to give Members advance notice of the coming changes, and the new program officially launched on March 1, 2011. Members' accounts were automatically transferred to the new program on March 1, 2011; therefore, Members will retain their current Rapid Rewards number, and they don't need to re-enroll. Members with existing credits and Awards from the old program will retain their active credits and Awards, which will maintain their value until they are used or expire. To learn more about the All-New Rapid Rewards, visit: www.southwest.com. NEW PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:   No blackout dates Unlimited Reward Seats (no seat restrictions or capacity controls) Points don't expire as long as Members earn by flying or using a partner once every 24 months Points are based on the purchased fare and fare product Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers can redeem their points for flights to more than 800 international destinations, stays at more than 70,000 hotels worldwide, and gift cards at more than 45 major retailers About Southwest Airlines After nearly 40 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 71 cities in 36 states with service to Newark Liberty International beginning March 27, 2011. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest Airlines is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. About Dude Perfect Dude Perfect is a group of six insanely competitive trick-shot basketball entertainers from Texas and they like to Go Big! Check out www.dudeperfect.com to see their greatest shots including: "The World's Longest Basketball Shot," and a host of other amazing videos which have made them bona-fide internet superstars and seen them collect such accolades as MSN's #1 Most Viral Video of 2009 as well as being listed by Advertising Age as one of YouTube's Top 10 Brands. Dude Perfect has been featured on a variety of National and International media outlets including: Jimmy Kimmel, CBS Early Show & Evening News, ESPY's Red Carpet, Good Morning America, Regis and Kelly, ESPN's E:60, SportsNation, Fox and Friends & many more. www.southwest.com ***NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) 18 YEARS AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes ends 3/31/11. For Official Rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit http://www.southwest.com/bigshot. Sponsor: Southwest Airlines, 2702 Love Field Drive, Dallas, Texas 75235. SOURCE Southwest Airlines   ... View more

Carrier Now Operates Seven Daily Nonstop Flights to Five Destinations from Greenville-Spartanburg and Seven Daily Nonstops to Four Destinations from Charleston DALLAS, March 14, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) today celebrates the airline's new service in the Palmetto State by bringing its big planes and little fares to Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) and Charleston (CHS). Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO, joins Greenville-Spartanburg Executive Airport Director David N. Edwards, Jr. and Airport Chairwoman Minor Shaw in this morning's news conference at the airport's airside garden to officially launch the airline's new service to Greenville-Spartanburg. Later in the afternoon, Kelly also will join Charleston Aviation Authority Chairman Chip Limehouse, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Chairman Robert Pierce, Charleston Regional Development Alliance Chairman Sean Bennett, and Charleston Convention and Visitor's Bureau Chairman Roger Warren in a news conference in the airport's atrium to officially launch the airline's new service to Charleston. "Our future is looking very bright, and a big reason for that is our new service in Greenville-Spartanburg and Charleston," Kelly said. "We've had our eye on South Carolina for quite some time, and we're proud to bring our special brand of low fares, our Bags Fly Free policy, and our high quality Customer Service to the Upstate and the Lowcountry." Southwest Airlines now serves the Upstate from Greenville-Spartanburg with seven daily nonstop departures--two daily nonstop departures to/from Baltimore/Washington and Chicago Midway and one daily nonstop to/from Nashville, Houston, and Orlando. Southwest Airlines operates from Gates A3 and A4 in Greenville-Spartanburg's main terminal. Southwest Airlines now serves the Lowcountry from Charleston with seven daily nonstop departures--three daily nonstop departures to/from Baltimore/Washington, two daily nonstops to Chicago Midway, one daily nonstop to/from Nashville, and one daily nonstop to/from Houston. Southwest Airlines operates from Gate B5 in Charleston's main terminal. In addition to the seven daily nonstop flights from each market, Southwest Airlines offers direct or connecting service to more than 60 destinations including Las Vegas, Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, just to name a few. To download the flight schedule and view all of Southwest's destinations from Greenville-Spartanburg and Charleston, visit http://www.southwest.com/flight/request-schedule.html. In addition to this morning's news conference, dozens of Southwest Employees along with the Upstate community celebrated the new service to Greenville-Spartanburg throughout the weekend. Four community teams from Greer, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson as well Southwest Employees competed head-to-head in a plane pull competition to see who could pull a Boeing 737 in the fastest time. All cities represented received a pair of roundtrip tickets for their local Chamber of Commerce. The celebration continued in the gate area with games, giveaways, and massages as Customers waited to board their Southwest flights. To show its deep roots in the Upstate community, more than 30 Employees volunteered to plant trees in local parks in Greenville and Spartanburg. Employees also participated in a memorial tree planting at the airport entrance in honor of the late Mr. Roger Milliken who was the airport's only chairman from its inception in 1959 until his recent passing. "Tell the people of Upstate South Carolina that a mountain is too high, a river too deep, or that an airline is out of reach, and we'll take the challenge," said David N. Edwards, Jr., A. A. E., Executive Airport Director for Greenville-Spartanburg. "Many said it would not happen. Others said it could not happen, but we are a can-do community. We take aim at a target, work hard to reach it, and now, Southwest Airlines has arrived here at GSP International Airport with lower fares, bigger jets, and more destinations." Prior to today's news conference at Charleston, Southwest Employees were the talk of the town as they participated in activities throughout the weekend! On Saturday, March 12, Southwest Employees were greeted by dozens of cheering fans when the first Southwest plane arrived at the airport. The Employees had a pep rally in the airport to get pumped up for the first day of service. On Sunday, to celebrate the first flights, the airline offered breakfast, coffee, and giveaways for its Customers. To Share the Spirit in the community, Southwest Employees volunteered at the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston. Employees served lunch to families, donated Pillowcases for Smiles, painted and decorated a playroom, and donated toys to the hospital. Southwest Airlines is proud to serve the Lowcountry community. "We're excited to welcome Southwest Airlines to the Lowcountry," said Susan M. Stevens, A A. E., Director of Airports for the Charleston County Aviation Authority. "Southwest will provide additional opportunities for the traveling public, and we look forward to their success." In its 40th year of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 71 cities in 36 states. Beginning March 27, 2011, Southwest will initiate service to Newark Liberty International Airport. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

This weekend, Southwest Airlines opens our 70 th and 71 st cities in Greenville/Spartanburg and Charleston.  I think that’s amazing because, for our first seven years, we were prohibited from flying beyond the borders of Texas.  We were founded as a Texas intrastate airline to avoid onerous federal regulations on pricing and routes.  PSA and Air California enjoyed a similar distinction in California.  However, upon passage of the Airline Deregulation Act in 1978, we were given the “Freedom to Move about the Country,” as long as it wasn’t from Dallas Love Field.  Back on January 25, 1979, we began service from Houston Hobby to New Orleans, which became our 12 th (for a short time, at least) city and the first Southwest city outside of Texas.  (Beaumont/Port Arthur was our 11 th city, but it closed in the fall of 1979.)  Our first step outside of Texas was a tiny one.  New Orleans opened with one initial daily flight from Houston Hobby (Flight #85) with a second flight added on February 12.  To celebrate the inaugural flight, a New Orleans theme was used—a Dixieland band.  The January-March 1979 issue of our Employee magazine, LUVLines identified the band as the Bayou City Dixies led by Tommy Lauer.  (Above) They played at the departure gate in Houston from 12:00 noon until the 12:50 pm departure.  The Flight Attendants wore special uniforms (on the left) with red striped vests and straw boater hats.  (Incidentally, this issue of LUVLines contains the first use of "Flight Attendant" instead of "Hostess" that I have noticed.)   Want some inflight entertainment?  How about a Dixieland trio?  The band entertained Customers all the way to New Orleans, and here we see Southwest’s President Howard Putnam in the mid-cabin lounge area of the flight listening to the band.  The drinks on the Flight Attendant’s tray in the foreground and in Howard’s hand were probably a special cocktail concocted for the inaugural.  They were called “Love Hurricanes” and featured passion fruit juice and rum. Up front, Captain Doug Cowan and First Office Chris Plaisance (both New Orleans natives) might have been able to hear part of the concert.   The photo above wasn’t in the article, but because Howard is wearing the exact same suit and tie, I am guessing the photo depicts part of the festivities. Another guess is that this was at Houston because we probably had a typical 10-minute turn scheduled in New Orleans that wouldn't have allowed for Howard to deplane and have a leisurely talk.  Looks like barbeque was on the menu. At least with Southwest, food is as much a part of opening a new station as it is a church social.  The opening of New Orleans signalled Southwest's expansion beyond the borders of Texas, and by the end of 1982, we had opened an additional eight cities that would take our route map to the shores of the Pacific at Los Angeles and San Diego. ... View more

In last week’s Flashback Fridays, we talked about how the jet engine and the new jet airliners contributed to Southwest’s uniqueness.  This week, let’s look at the sudden and complete change they brought to the airline industry.  For those of use around the last ten years or so, the “aught” years have brought incredible, widespread, and unheard of change.  Everything from 9/11, war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and soaring fuel prices have taken their toll on the airline industry.  Although it may seem like a cliché, commercial aviation is all about change.  And, the years from 1958 to 1962 make the change of the last decade look like child’s play.  Most people know that aircraft represent the most expensive “tools” of an airline.  Imagine what would happen if basically every commercial airplane was obsolete overnight, replaced by a brand new type of aircraft.  Well that did happen 50 or so years ago. Compare the 1958 view above at Los Angeles International with the view below taken at the same airport in 1962.  Above there is nothing but DC-6s, DC-7s, Constellations, and a couple of ConvairLiners.  Each DC-7 and Super Constellation cost approximately $1.5 million, and the DC-6s and earlier Connies slightly less.  DC-6s, DC-7s, and L-1649s (the last version of the Constellation) were still rolling off the production line in 1958, the same year as the Boeing 707 entered service.  Oh, and those early 707s cost about $4.5 million. Just four years later, the jet revolution for longhaul flights is complete, and in the photo above, we see five 707s at the terminal with two more at the hangar.  In contrast, there is only one DC-7 still hanging on and one DC-6B.  All those expensive brand new piston airliners were literally obsolete overnight.  Multiply these “before and after” images for every major airport across the country.  By 1968, just ten years later, the jet engine had scoured every large airline of airplanes powered by piston engines and propellers. The photo taken at New York LaGuardia above illustrates the financial cost of this change.  This photo was probably taken closer to 1950 or 1951, before the introduction of the DC-7 and Super Connies.  Almost every airplane in this photo would have find a second home.  The Martin 404s and the ConvairLiners went to local service airlines like Southern, Trans Texas, and Central (headed by Lamar Muse).  The DC-6s and Constellations went to charter carriers or foreign airlines who used them on shorter domestic flights.  The airlines’ newest aircraft, the DC-7s and Super Connies, didn’t have this aftermarket because of their temperamental Wright Turbo Compound engines.  While some charter carriers operated “Sevens” for a short time, they were soon retired or converted into freighters.   Another factor driving the prop obsolescence was that, once passengers had flown a jet, the last thing they wanted was a DC-7 flight.  In order to get back some of their investment, airlines would charge higher fares for jet flights.  But the bottomline was that not only did the airlines have to spend millions of dollars for new “must-have” jet aircraft, their recent investment of millions in the latest piston-engined aircraft was almost worthless.   On top of that, some of those DC-7Cs and L-1649s were only two and three years old.  Airports were affected too.  The long takeoff runs of aircraft like the 707 and DC-8 turned airports with short runways like LaGuardia, Washington National, and Chicago Midway (above), 1958’s world’s busiest airport, into ghost towns until new jet engine technologies and aircraft designs started coming online.   There was some good news in this upheaval, however.  The success of the 707 and the Douglas DC-8 led to accelerated demand for jet service on shorter flights.  This was met by the French-built Caravelle (bought by United), the Douglas DC-9, and the Boeing 727.  The British BAC-111 and the Boeing 737 were developed for even shorter flights—the kind on which Southwest “cut our teeth.”  In addition to Southwest, the 737 was the first jet aircraft used by the other intrastate airlines like PSA, Air California, and Air Florida.  Local carriers like the original Frontier, Piedmont, Allegheny, Alaska, and Pacific Western in Canada were also early 737 users.  Except for a shorter length, the 737 passenger enjoyed a cabin with the exact same dimensions and furnishings that a longhaul 707 offered.    This was crucial for Southwest, and as we mentioned last week, the 737 made Southwest competitive with the Braniffs and Texas Internationals of the world.  Without the jet revolution of 1958, their probably wouldn't have been a 737. ... View more

Along with our 40 th anniversary this year, we should be celebrating another almost forgotten 75 th anniversary.  On January 27, 1936, Frank Whittle and three other English investors formed Power Jets, Ltd. to make and market jet aircraft engines.  Whittle was a career Royal Air Force officer who had a unique eye on the future.  He patented his design for the jet engine in 1930, and he began experimenting with what would become the components of jet engines, including compressors and turbines during the 1930s.  In World War II, Britain and Germany both introduced operational jet aircraft, and the US began making license-built versions of British jet engines.   The Gloster Meteor was an early British jet aircraft.  Some versions were operational at the end of World War II. At this point you are probably scratching your head and wondering what this has to do with Southwest.  Well it has everything to do with it, because as far as I can tell, Southwest was the first airline in North America to have always operated nothing but jet aircraft.  In fact, we have never operated an airplane with a propeller—although that wasn’t our original plan.   Many aviation geeks look upon the 1950s as the golden age for commercial aviation.  In the United States, the big radial piston engines powered the most modern airliners like the Douglas DC-6 and DC-7, and the Lockheed Constellation.  Above is a restored Eastern DC-7B--note the pans under each engine to catch dripping oil. Capitol Airlines, based in the Midwest and Northeast tried a different approach by buying the turboprop Vickers Viscount from England (as did the predecessor of Air Canada, Trans Canada).  The turboprop used a jet engine to power a propeller, and later Lockheed would build their version of a turboprop airliner, the Electra.  (Above is an Air California Electra).   On the other hand, the zenith of the big piston engine was represented by the Wright Turbo Compound as seen on the restored Eastern DC-7B.   In an attempt to squeeze every ounce of performance out of a piston engine, the turbo compound captured the engine exhaust to drive three power recovery turbines that connected to the engine shaft.  At night, passengers could see exhaust flames coming out of the exhaust ports, which are the two stained metal pipes at the rear of the engine.   Compared to jet engines, these piston-powered beasts were complicated, temperamental, dirty, and subject to breakdown.  In addition, they burned up to two gallons of oil an hour.  Before departure, oil trucks had to pump up to a hundred gallons of oil into tanks in the wings.  By contrast, some cars may contain more oil than modern jet engines.  On top of that, the Turbo Compound ran best on 130 octane gasoline, which required lead in the expensive (even back then) refining process.  Inside this tight cowling are 18 cylinders, surrounded by all sorts of shafts, gears, and turbines.  Two of the primary inflight duties of the Flight Engineer were monitoring the functioning of the 72 spark plugs on the aircraft and ensuring that the cylinder heads didn’t overheat.   Had the other airlines decided not to fight Southwest’s creation, in 1967, we would have taken to the sky as Air Southwest and operated former American Electras.  (See the artist’s impression above.)  Even at that early date, shorthaul flights were being taken over by jets in the form of the BAC-111, DC-9, and 737.  We would have started service with an aircraft that was already nearing commercial obsolescence since it would have had to compete with the existing airlines' jets.  So maybe, those airlines who fought our creation for four years did us a favor because that delay brought us to a point where Boeing had three, fresh-from-the-factory 737s representing state of the art technology that needed a home.  Up to this point, it was unheard of for a new airline to begin service with brand new equipment.  Intrastate carrier PSA had begun with surplus DC-3s and DC-4s after the war, and almost all of the local airlines like Trans Texas, Allegheny, or the original Frontier began with either war surplus or other airline castoff DC-3s.  Even later intrastate carriers like Air California and Air Florida used hand-me-down Electras. N20SW, one of our three original aircraft That’s just the serendipitous nature of airline history.  A change in plans for one airline can and did change the entire industry.  I often like to think what would have happened if Air Southwest had taken off in 1967?  Without the other airlines fighting us every inch of the way, would we have developed our Warrior Spirit that has seen us through such difficult times?  Would we have signed the agreement to move to DFW when the other existing airlines did?  We will never know for sure.  The only thing of which we can be sure is that Sir Frank Whittle’s invention changed aviation forever. ... View more

Plan Outlines How the Two Operations Will Combine, Following Financial Close DALLAS, Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed Southwest Airlines that it has accepted the carrier's transition plan to combine the operations of Dallas-based Southwest Airlines and Orlando-based AirTran Airways, following the financial close of its transaction to acquire AirTran. On Sept. 27, 2010, Southwest (NYSE: LUV) announced an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), the parent company of AirTran Airways (AirTran), for a combination of cash and Southwest Airlines' common stock. Closing is subject to the approval of AirTran shareholders, receipt of certain regulatory clearances, and fulfillment of customary closing conditions. "It's been a great team effort by a lot of people to reach this initial milestone, but we still have a lot of work to do to ultimately bring our two carriers together. We appreciate the collaborative approach of all parties, including the FAA Joint Transition Team (JTT)," said Brian Hirshman, Southwest's Vice President Maintenance and Engineering, and Executive Sponsor of the carrier's Single Operating Certificate (SOC) team. "We consider this acceptance by the FAA as the first major milestone on the journey towards SOC. There are too many people to recognize individually, but we are hopeful the team's hard work will allow us to achieve our SOC goal in the first quarter 2012." Southwest and AirTran currently have separate operating certificates. The transition plan accepted by the FAA outlines the methodology, processes, tools, and timing to be employed to maintain the safety of their day-to-day operations during the transition period and to ultimately achieve a Single Operating Certificate. The SOC is issued by the FAA once all of the steps outlined in the transition plan have been completed. The carriers' processes, and procedures may not be fully integrated when the SOC is issued, however; they will operate under a single FAA certificate at that time. Relevant to its submitted plan, Southwest clarified that after the transaction close, which is currently anticipated to occur during the second quarter of 2011, all certificated and flight-related AirTran Employees (Pilots, Dispatchers, Flight Attendants, Mechanics, Schedulers, etc.) will maintain their AirTran employment status at least until the SOC is issued by the FAA for the combined carriers. The logistics of how and when this group of certificated employees will then be transitioned to Southwest employment status has yet to be determined. In its 40th year of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 69 cities in 35 states. Beginning March 13, 2011, Southwest will initiate service to Charleston and Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina, and on March 27, 2011, service will begin to Newark Liberty International Airport. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. Important Information for Investors and Stockholders This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. The proposed acquisition of AirTran Holdings, Inc. ("AirTran") by Southwest Airlines Co. ("Southwest") will be submitted to the stockholders of AirTran for their consideration. In connection therewith, Southwest has filed, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has declared effective, a registration statement on Form S-4 thatincludes a proxy statement of AirTran that also constitutes a prospectus of Southwest. Southwest and AirTran also plan to file other documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. SOUTHWEST URGES INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF AIRTRAN TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEYCONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents containing important information about Southwest and AirTran, as such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov/. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Southwest are available free of charge on Southwest's website at http://www.southwest.com/ under the tab "Investor Relations" or by contacting Southwest's Investor Relations Department at (214) 792-4415. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by AirTran are available free of charge on AirTran's website at http://www.airtran.com/ under the tab "Investor Relations" or by contacting AirTran's Investor Relations Department at (407) 318-5188. Southwest, AirTran and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of AirTran in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Southwest is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 16, 2010. Information about the directors and executive officers of AirTran is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 2, 2010. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materialsfiled with the SEC. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding Southwest's plans and expectations with respect to its transition plan to combine the operations of Southwest and AirTran Airways following the close of Southwest's anticipated acquisition of AirTran Holdings, Inc. ("AirTran"). These forward-looking statements are based on Southwest's current intent, beliefs, expectations, and projections and are not guarantees of future actions or performance by Southwest. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the possibility that the acquisition of AirTran is delayed or does not close, including due to the inability of Southwest and AirTran to obtain all approvals necessary or the failure of other closing conditions; and (ii) the impact of fuel prices, economic conditions, and other factors on Southwest's business plans and strategies. Southwest cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information concerning these and other risks is contained in Southwest's and AirTran's most recently filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K and in Southwest's registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC that includes a proxy statement of AirTran that also constitutes a prospectus of Southwest.Southwest undertakes no obligation to publicly update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereto. www.southwest.com SOURCE Southwest Airlines   ... View more

Thu, Feb 24, 2011 DALLAS, Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) announced today that it has reached an agreement with its Pilots, represented by the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA), on an initial Transition Agreement that establishes a procedural framework for eventually integrating the Pilots of Orlando-based AirTran Airways into Southwest.The integration addressed by the agreement would follow the official legal closing of Southwest's acquisition of AirTran's parent company, AirTran Holdings, Inc., which is currently anticipated to occur during the second quarter of 2011. Closing is subject to the approval of AirTran stockholders, receipt of certain regulatory clearances, and fulfillment of customary closing conditions. With this initial transition agreement, Southwest and SWAPA establish a framework to begin an orderly transition from operating Southwest and AirTran as separate carriers, to a single carrier under one Single Operating Certificate (SOC). This transition agreement is an integral first step in that process. "This transition agreement, which was unanimously agreed to by our SWAPA Board of Directors, is an important step in the AirTran acquisition and integration process," said Chuck Magill, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Flight Operations. "Our hard-working Pilots are now poised to begin the important and challenging work of integrating their AirTran colleagues into Southwest Airlines." In its 40th year of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded; now serving 69 cities in 35 states. Beginning March 13, 2011, Southwest will initiate service to Charleston and Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina, and on March 27, 2011, service will begin to Newark Liberty International Airport. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com Important Information for Investors and Stockholders This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. The proposed acquisition of AirTran Holdings, Inc. ("AirTran") by Southwest Airlines Co. ("Southwest") will be submitted to the stockholders of AirTran for their consideration. In connection therewith, Southwest has filed, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has declared effective, a registration statement on Form S-4 thatincludes a proxy statement of AirTran that also constitutes a prospectus of Southwest. Southwest and AirTran also plan to file other documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. SOUTHWEST URGES INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF AIRTRAN TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEYCONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents containing important information about Southwest and AirTran, as such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov/. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Southwest are available free of charge on Southwest's website at http://www.southwest.com/ under the tab "Investor Relations" or by contacting Southwest's Investor Relations Department at (214) 792-4415. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by AirTran are available free of charge on AirTran's website at http://www.airtran.com/ under the tab "Investor Relations" or by contacting AirTran's Investor Relations Department at (407) 318-5188. Southwest, AirTran and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of AirTran in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Southwest is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 16, 2010. Information about the directors and executive officers of AirTran is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 2, 2010. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materialsfiled with the SEC. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements with respect to Southwest's expectations related to (i) its anticipated acquisition of AirTran Holdings, Inc.; and (ii) its agreement with its Pilots, represented by the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA), on an initial Transition Agreement that establishes a procedural framework for eventually integrating the Pilots of AirTran Airways into Southwest. These forward-looking statements are based on Southwest's current intent, beliefs, expectations, and projections and are not guarantees of future performance. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the possibility that the acquisition of AirTran is delayed or does not close, including due to the inability of Southwest and AirTran to obtain all approvals necessary or the failure of other closing conditions; and (ii) Southwest's ability to successfully integrate AirTran's business. Southwest cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information concerning these and other risks is contained in Southwest's and AirTran's most recently filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K and in Southwest's registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC that includes a proxy statement of AirTran that also constitutes a prospectus of Southwest.Southwest undertakes no obligation to publicly update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereto. SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

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One of the things I enjoy best about creating Flashback Fridays is bringing photos to you that may have never seen the light of day.  Today’s batch comes from a big box of black and white negatives that were at our original advertising agency, the Bloom Agency.  Even more cool is that these are photos of our operation at Houston Hobby (HOU).  Previously, I have brought you some San Antonio photos, but our third city, Houston, has proved elusive until today. But, before we get to the HOU photos, the photographer took some inflight photos on the flight to HOU.  Judging from the interior, this is probably N24SW because it has the newer “widebody” look interior.  The overhead bins in this version were only big enough for a coat or small briefcase, but it did open up the interior.  Judging from the uniforms, the date is probably somewhere in the mid-1970s.   Upon arrival in HOU, the photographer jumped off the aircraft to film the Passengers unloading.  The nose gear door confirms this is N24SW.  At this date, there were no jetbridges at HOU.  The aircraft just beyond N24SW is in the process of departing, and the internal air stairs are disappearing into the below deck compartment.   Kind of like railroad stations, our ticket counters back then had the name of the local city posted behind the counter.  To the left of the picture is one of our iconic National Cash Register ticket dispensers.  The sticker on the front of the machine reads:  “Have a good time on Southwest Airlines.”  Oh, and check out the “up to date” calculator the Passenger is carrying.  It probably cost more than today’s laptop computers, and it looks as though it only works with an electrical cord out of the socket.   Next, the photographer moves behind the ticket counter to give us a view of the lobby.  The ticketing lobby wouldn’t change significantly until the recent renovation at HOU was completed.   Finally, I think this is a great and evocative photograph of what it was like to board a flight outside using air stairs.  Passengers can look up into the cockpit and see the Pilots doing their last minute checks.  You could feel the breeze and listen to the sounds of the airport.  Judging by the presence of jackets, this isn’t Houston in mid-August.  Of course, boarding outside is miserable in rain or snow, but in our memory, it’s always sunny and 72 degrees. ... View more

Enhanced Hotel Page on Southwest.com Provides Reviews, Multiple Room Booking Capability, and Neighborhood Searches DALLAS, Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Does booking a hotel cause more hassle than it should? Southwest Airlines has introduced new updates and features on the Hotel booking page of southwest.com to enhance and simplify the hotel booking experience for Customers. New features allow Customers to make informed decisions and find the perfect hotel fit. From TripAdvisor traveler ratings and reviews, to multi-room booking capability and neighborhood searches, the Hotel page provides everything Customers need to find the perfect hotel! Now, directly on southwest.com/hotels, Customers will see the TripAdvisor traveler rating in the most recent traveler reviews for each hotel, allowing customers to make more informed decisions based on fellow travelers’ feedback. Research shows that hotel reviews are used by 77 percent of travelers when making a hotel booking decision(1). The addition of TripAdvisor reviews will allow Customers to easily compare and contrast hotels to make the right selection for travel. TripAdvisor hotel ratings and reviews will be available on nearly all of the hotel properties that are available to book on southwest.com. The updated Hotel page will also allow multi-room booking— a Customer may book two rooms at one time. This is a feature that is ideal for families who need an additional room. Southwest Airlines wants to provide an amazing Hotel page to make booking rooms an easy process online. Customers using the Hotel page also will be able to narrow down hotel searches to specific neighborhoods. The search tool provides users preference of neighborhoods rather than large city searches. With all of these new tools, Southwest Customers have everything they need right at their fingertips to book hotel rooms. From distinguishing Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program partners, to adding map functionality and hotel reviews, Southwest would like to ensure that Customers are not only getting great deals when booking hotels on southwest.com, but also have all the tools necessary to make the right decision. ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES In its 40th year of service, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV)continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 69 cities in 35 states. Beginning March 13, 2011, Southwest will initiate service to Charleston and Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina, and on March 27, 2011, service will begin to Newark Liberty International Airport. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report™. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com (1) Research from Jupiter, Feb. 2009 SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Airlines Division, representing the carrier’s Stock Clerks, announced today that the two parties have reached a tentative agreement. The tentative agreement is for a new, five-year contract through August 16, 2013. The current contract became amendable on August 16, 2008. One year ago, Southwest and the Teamsters agreed to seek assistance from the National Mediation Board through the mediation process as defined by the Railway Labor Act. “Hard work and persistence have definitely paid off during this mediation process,” said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “The negotiation teams worked together to address several work rule changes in reaching this mutually beneficial, forward thinking tentative agreement, which delivers wage and benefit enhancements in exchange for work rule improvements and contract flexibility.” In the upcoming weeks, the IBT membership will be given the full details of the agreement and have the opportunity to vote on ratification. IBT represents more than 170 Southwest Airlines Employees. In its 40th year of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines serves Milwaukee with 12 daily departures and is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 69 cities in 35 states. Beginning March 13, 2011, Southwest will initiate service to Charleston and Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina, and on March 27, 2011, service will begin to Newark Liberty International Airport. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report™. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

Southwest Employees Celebrate Lunar Year 4709 with Custom Parade Float DALLAS, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year! Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) is once again the title sponsor of the San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade in this Year of the Hare. To celebrate its 40th Anniversary, Southwest Airlines is staging one of its most lavish Parade floats, featuring all things Lunar New Year including dozens of intricately carved New Year figurines, countless popping firecrackers, pinwheels, fans, a myriad of lucky symbols and blossoms, lions, and dragons. "Southwest Airlines is devoted to serving the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. From celebrating cultural events to partnering with local community organizations, we honor AAPI Heritage with pride," said Laura Lopez, Southwest Airlines Assistant Manager of Marketing and Brand Engagement. "We are excited to present a splendid float where our Employees will share in the celebration of the year of the Hare!" Named one of the top ten parades by the International Festivals and Events Association, the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining illuminated parades in the country. Started in the 1860's by the Chinese in San Francisco as a means to educate the community about their culture, the Parade and Festival has grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside Asia. To see the schedule of events, please visit www.chineseparade.com. "Our Chinese New Year Parade is possible thanks to the contributions of sponsors like Southwest Airlines. Southwest walks the walk when it comes to the communities they serve. Their commitment to our organization has enabled us to grow every year into the largest Asian celebration in the nation," said Kenny Tse, President of the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce. About Southwest Airlines In its 40th year of service, Southwest Airlinescontinues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded; now serving 69 cities in 35 states. Beginning March 13, 2011, Southwest will initiate service to Charleston and Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina, and on March 27, 2011, service will begin to Newark Liberty International Airport. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more