Southwest Airlines Community

In honor of Independence Day, Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty flew around the Southwest System to share their Southwest LUV! ... View more

On June 28, 2009, Southwest Airlines began service to its 66th wonderful destination...New York City! Southwest Airlines is now serving New York City travelers from LaGuardia with eight daily nonstop flights—five daily nonstops to Chicago Midway and three daily nonstop flights to Baltimore/Washington. In addition to the eight daily nonstop flights, Southwest Airlines will offer direct or connecting service to more than 45 destinations from New York City, including: Las Vegas, Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Diego, just to name a few. ... View more

This video was created by the New York Stock Exchange and Euronext highlighting our 38th birthday and our new service to New York's LaGuardia airport on June 28, 2009! ... View more

38 years ago this month Southwest took its first aircraft off the line from The Boeing Company. See one of the newest aircraft as it is unveiled at The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. Also, on June 6, 1994, Southwest began service to three great cities: Seattle, Spokane, and Portland!   ... View more

What an awesome experience it was to get to be behind-the-scenes of a Southwest Airlines commercial shoot.  It started at 6 a.m. as the small army of trucks came through the gates of our maintenance facility in Dallas.  These professionals unpacked their trucks, and immediately began setting up the Southwest aircraft you see time-lapsed in the video above.  They made it look so easy as they began lighting the entire plane for the first shoot.  It was incredible to see that even though they were using a real Southwest aircraft, no schedules were compromised because of how efficient they were in their work and all of our flights ran as scheduled!  Many of the actors in the commercial are Southwest Employees, who, for some, are making their television debuts.  They were naturals.  I love Southwest because the Employees come first and play such a huge role in our success, so why not let them tell the story of the Company. Let's grab our bags because this behind-the-scenes video is...On! See one of the commercials HERE ... View more

Our founder, Herb Kelleher, is famous for saying...well...he's famous for saying a lot of things.  But among them that "the Business of Business is People." He recognized that - more than advertising, more than low fares - it would be our Employees that would be the key to our success, because they would be key to building positive relationships with our Customers.  At Southwest Airlines, we truly value the relationships we build with our Customers and see every encounter as an opportunity to connect.  And, because our Employees are guided by "The Golden Rule," they instinctively know what to do to take care of our Customers in times of need.  Sometimes it is a simple as getting someone's bag to a flight on time, and sometimes it can be much deeper than that. Watch this video to see a very touching example of a Southwest Employee taking care of a Customer in need.  ... View more

On a date associated with gags and practical jokes, 21 Southwest Airlines Employees are counting quite a few extra pennies this April 1st -- a million of them! Even Ed McMahon might tip his hat to our prize patrollers who have been reaching across the Southwest system to bring sky-high joy to 21 Southwest Employees as the Grand Finale to our year-long incentive contest, Operation:  Kick Tail (OKT). As you'll see, each winner got the news in a very surprising way before that $10,000 deposit hit their bank accounts. The winners were drawn randomly from a pile of more than 180,000 "Kick Tail-A-Grams," commendations awarded by their fellow Employees for Positively Outrageous Customer Service and, simply, Living the Southwest Way.  In all, more than 200 Southwest Warriors received various prizes as a part of OKT after the 35,000 Employees of Southwest worked together to meet all our year-end performance goals for 2008. Times are tough all around, but we're as proud of the fact that we're taking care of our Employees as we are proud of their accomplishments of enduring strength.  (Oh, we also took care of Uncle Sam, too.  None of our winners is having to spend their prize money on taxes!) ... View more

 Thanks to everyone that helped contribute to the screenplay contest!  It turns out that we have a very "interesting" story to tell.  Please don't laugh at our acting skills.  Watch till the end of the movie to see the winner of the Nashville Film Festival Prize Package!  Here are the lines we chose for the script.  Character, line, then contributor: All characters standing in line at the gate area, Barbie bumps into Alfred, her bag flies open.   Tubbs: "lot of stuff you got here" Barbie smiles and says "you should see the bag I checked, thank goodness it is free" (laashley)   Tubbs: Didn't I see you earlier this A.M. in the Noshville Delicatessen at BNA? (shotgunconcepts)   Alfred: I really hope we're on N901WN today! (alisongroves)   (voiceover Alfred) Alfred notices Barbie's finger nail polish with concern. Does it exceed the 3 oz limit? Where is the 1 qt plastic bag? (henrypile)   Jill: You know Barbie, Southwest doesn't charge to check bags. This could have all been avoided..." (PhiloMediaSEM🙂   Barbie: I don’t know when I’m supposed to board the plane   Tubbs:  "um, darlin', what letter do you have on your boarding pass?" (DolceMeta)   Barbie: C12   Jill: (mumble) "Someone didn't check in online." (DolceMeta)   Tubbs: "Ma'am, you're prettier than that girl on the side of the plane." Alfred: "You can be on my companion pass anyday!" (briadavi)    (SW Rep announces the start of boarding) (DolceMeta)   Tubbs: Headed to Dallas ? Me to.  Not trying to brag but he says Im singing the National Anthem at the NASCAR Race On Sunday. (aroseofthanks)   Tubbs: "How 'bout I save ya a seat?" Barbie "really? that would be great! do you like, KNOW someone?" (DolceMeta)   (Alfred) thank god for open seating! (HifiNico)   Tubbs: Hey, y'all, Barbie and I are fixin' to hook up. Our first born will be called Bubbie because Tarbie jess ain't rat. (goinglikesixty)   ON THE PLANE   (Steve Voice Over) uh, this is your captain speaking... we are expecting a smooth flight, so sit back, relax and enjoy the great service. (Toddon3)   Alfred trys to forget about the Barbie mess and starts focusing on trying to get a coveted exit row seat... (hrosas2115)   barbie: does 'turn off your electronics' mean i wont be able to tweet? OMG, how will i know if chelsea got her hair done? (alittleguitar)   Alfred: (mumbling) Mac or PC; Blackberry or iPhone; WoW or GTA; Dark Knight or Watchmen? Shouts: I FLY SWA!!! (goinglikesixty) (Steve) This is the captain again, we currently crusing at 26 thousand feet, and expect an "on time" arrival at DFW, about 30 minutes. (Toddon3)   Tubbs requests an in-flight mirror, SW flight attendant looks puzzled, "I need motivation writing my new hit single. (BrooklynNomad)   Jill settles into her seat & sighs, waiting for the 10K ft. announcement so she can turn on her iPod & turn off Barbie's chatter. (ImageSpecialist)   Jill, eyes on pda, "the nerd is right. Thank god for cashless-cabin. I need a drink. A drink that is seven drinks." (johncessna) Alfred You gotta be friggin kindding. Now she Sits down right next to me. I just want 2 use the WiFi & she is going to chat me to death. (mindlessbabble)     Steve: Captain here, we are now at a safe cruising altitude for you to move around the cabin, but seatbelts, when seated, please. (Toddon3)   Jill..."WHAT DO YOU MEAN TURN OFF MY BLACKBERRY????!!!!!!" (BrooklynNomad)   Barbie says to Jill: Twitter and cell phones aren't the same thing, so Southwest will let me airtwitter (GayleReinsma)   Jill asks for a double vodka after rolling her eyes at Barbie (GayleReinsma)   alfred, clearly annoyed at the disturbance, pulls out his science times from his bag (caliboynick)   Tubbs starting singing a tune & strumming his guitar for Jill. The song is titled, "Tubbs is a handsome young fella" (BrooklynNomad)   Barbie is looking out the window as Alfred, seated next to her whispers in her ears "I was the capt of my math squad" (BrooklynNomad) Barbie: "that is so sweet! thanks!" Tubbs "I lost the girl to a geek?!" (DolceMeta)   Jill "but check out his sweet #iPhone and he is even tweeting. Now THAT is hot" (DolceMeta)   Barbie exclaims, "No way!"...I once dated a math teacher in order to pass my Algebra course! Cool! (BrooklynNomad) Tubbs blushes and smiles shyly. Starts showing Jill his iPhone apps and invites her to play chess against him. (laurz)   Alfred says, "ya know, there is an average of 19 peanuts in every bag." (gameplanhayden)   Alfred then mentions that he has figured out the perfect mathematical equation in order to get the most miles w. SWA (BrooklynNomad)   Tubbs: I'd sure 'preciate a Mr&Mrs T Bloody Mary Mix and some of them little bags of peanuts! (shotgunconcepts) Tubbs walks back to his seat after assisting Jill and plops down between Alfred and Barbie, killing Alfreds moment. (BrooklynNomad)   Nashville , Barbie, AND peanuts... what else could a guy ask for (thinks Tubbs)... this could make for a #1 hit song! (amyfloyd)   Tubbs starts strumming his guitar, Barbie swoons and Alfred rolls his eyes. (BrooklynNomad) Jill pulls out her third and fourth free drink ticket of the flight - she loves Rapid Rewards! (GayleReinsma)   Steve: "We are going to be landing soon, please place your seat back and tray tables in the upright, locked position." (Toddon3)   Alfred tries on concentrate on page 27 of "Spirit," Southwest's in-flight magazine. He's not a big fan of Tubbs' song. (grashop88)   Jill suddenly sings LUV, LUV, LUV, all we need is LUV LUV LUV (ok this will lose something on film, but I ❤️ SWA. (BBQandBourbon)    Tubbs says: "Wheeee Doggies" (dogswithcones)   Meanwhile Barbie is using her currency converter in order to figure out the exchange rate between the US & Nashville (BrooklynNomad)   Tubbs & Barbie plan their next trip together. Alfred reminds them of the $49-$99 fare sale. Jill offers to book it. (AJinSoCal)   STEVE (as passengers get off the plane) uh, Buh by, bye, bye-bye, bu-bye, bye now, thank you, bubye. (Toddon3)   Thank you for flying Southwest. The end. (BrooklynNomad) ... View more

Southwest Warriors Music Video shown at the Southwest Airlines' 2009 Messages to the Field. Our Employees Kick Tail, and you might notice our Chairman, President & CEO, Gary Kelly, on guitar!  Mike Sims tells what it is like to play with Gary and the rest of the Southwest Warriors in his blog post Gary Kelly & the Southwest Warriors Band. ... View more

Southwest Airlines went behind the scenes of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in El Paso, TX. Watch designers Eduardo and Paul unload Cargo off of our 737 and what it takes to film this awesome show! ... View more

I had the chance to go behind the scenes of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in El Paso, TX.  It was great to see how the designers, Eduardo and Paul, who I watch every weekend, are genuinely concerned with the families they are helping.  You can see their Servant's Hearts at work in the video as they unload cargo off of our Boeing 737.  What you don't see on camera is even better.  Paul and Eduardo help the crew with all of the camera equipment after they are finished filming.  It isn't just for show. As you saw in Sunday's episode, the Ruiz family put their own needs aside to help others in need.  That is what it is all about! It was truly a memorable experience that I will never forget. ... View more

On March 8, 2009 Southwest Airlines began service to Minneapolis/St. Paul, with 41 Employees and eight daily nonstop flights to Chicago Midway, with additional direct or connecting service to 57 destinations, including: San Francisco, Denver, and Philadelphia. Welcome to the Southwest Family, Minneapolis/St. Paul. LUV has come to town! ... View more

Southwest Airlines began service to Little Rock on February 27, 1984. Our 62 Little Rock-based Employees currently operate 13 daily departures to seven cities including Baltimore/Washington, Chicago Midway, Dallas Love Field, Houston Hobby, Las Vegas , and St. Louis with direct and connecting service to 49 additional cities.  We thank our wonderful Employees for delivering positively outrageous Customer Service to our Little Rock Customers for 25 years!  Read all about the Employees in the blog post Big Heart, Little Rock.   ... View more

Heroes of the Heart is a spirited event that we celebrate annually around Valentine's Day at Southwest Airlines. Ginger Hardage, Vice President Culture & Communications, explains the LUV behind the event and why it is so special.  Be sure to mouse-over the arrow on the bottom right of the player to watch this video in HD. ... View more

Peanuts, pretzels, Yahoo!? Thats the question for some Southwest Airlines Customers today as the airline tests a potential onboard wi-fi solution. Southwest is the first to test aircraft to satellite technology in commercial service. Southwest Airlines, in conjunction with Row 44, equipped one Southwest aircraft with the technology and is set to equip three additional aircraft by the end of March 2009, and is partnering with Yahoo! to offer an inflight homepage with destination-relevant content for the new service. Southwest will be testing the technology in commercial service for the next few months. ... View more

Maddie Ramirez from Briarhill Middle School in Highland Village, Texas wins the 2009 Adopt-a-Pilot Tie Design Contest.  Southwest Airlines Chairman, President & CEO Gary Kelly and Southwest Captain Bill Stone make a special presentation to the school and to Maddie. Be sure to check out the new "HD" version on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22-FdMW0hcY&fmt=22 ... View more

Cue the Monday Night Football music! Oh yes, it is that time of the year where the world gathers together with friends and family to watch some comical commercials, and catch that little game, that the person who sits next to me, refers to as, "the biggest day to cook chili."  Two great teams come together to duke out who is the best football team in the world—at least for this year. A very memorable "big game" tradition that my family and I always looked forward to was the making of homemade pizza.  Mom would make the pizza from scratch and the whole family would help—well, help eat it.  There is nothing like sitting down with the family eating pizza and, let’s all admit it now, watch those commercials.  There have been some amazing commercials throughout the years, and some of my absolute favorites include:  the Bud-weis-er Frogs, the McDonald’s commercial with Larry Bird and Michael Jordan playing “HORSE”, and Reebok’s Terry Tate Office Linebacker.  What are some of your favorite commercials from year’s past? Our very own Employees in Phoenix and Pittsburgh are all decked out and ready to go support their team. Yes, there has been a little trash talking going on (but not too much).  The Culture at Southwest Airlines is especially tangible this time of year, and not only do these Employees have fun, but they will be working hard to make sure everyone gets to and from the game safely--no matter which team they’re rooting for. Pittsburgh Employees Adrian and John with their SWA friends at the Steelers' game. ... View more

Christi Day and Caleb Fox head to Amarillo, Texas in search of some amazing places to visit. Please be sure to check out our interviews with some of our awesome Employees in Amarillo. Southwest started service in Amarillo on December 12, 1978, with four nonstop flights. Our 51 local Employees currently operate 12 nonstops and carry 64 percent of the local airline market. ... View more

Southwest Airlines Employee Renee Allen gives the Passengers a country hit to take with them. ... View more

Southwest Employee Mary Creason shares her memories about the life and times in the aviation industry.  Read more about Mary in the blog post "Third Time's a Charm." ... View more