Southwest Airlines Community

No hot food, no pillows and blankets, and on some flights, no complimentary water. What's left? The one thing that can turn a long, meal-less coach flight from an ordeal to a joyride is...friendliness: helpful airline personnel and flight attendants with a positive attitude. Over the next few weeks, I'll be traveling coast-to-coast on ten of our country's busiest airlines as AOL's Mystery Flyer. And I'll be looking to answer one really important question: Is there a price for nice? to read more, visit: http://news.travel.aol.com/2010/05/13/aol-mystery-flyer-southwest-airlines-report-card/ ... View more

By Trevor Anderson trevor.anderson@shj.com Dave Edwards had to pinch himself during a phone call he received late Monday. to read more, visit:  http://www.goupstate.com/article/20100512/ARTICLES/5121026/1086?p=all&tc=pgall&tc=ar ... View more

to see the video, visit: http://www.gadling.com/2010/05/05/travel-talk-012 ... View more

Southwest Airlines is admired around the world for its commitment to brand and culture as well as the customer service approach that has set the company apart from other airlines. In this episode of Brands That Travel, we will be interviewing Teresa Laraba, Senior Vice President Customer Service, to learn more about the strategy behind Southwest's success and how customer service is evolving in the travel marketplace. Ms. Laraba oversees the airline's customer support and services, customer relations, customer service agents and central baggage services, and with over 20 years of industry experience, she knows that the best advice for colleagues is to "slow down and listen - the person in front of you deserves your time".     to read more, visit: http://www.brandsthattravel.com/ ... View more

If you're flying out of Pittsburgh on Tuesday, you might notice a bit of a celebration going on at one gate. to read more, visit: http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/23449097/detail.html ... View more

Southwest Airlines chief executive Gary Kelly  drew a competitive line in the sand a couple of years ago when he decided not to charge passengers for their bags. He wisely didn't want employees to face customer wrath for an issue that would have gone against the essence of Southwest. "We had our niche for a long time," Kelly said. "We were the low-cost carrier, the low-fare carrier. Nobody paid much attention to us. Well, that ain't the case anymore," he added, the LA Times reports. to read more, visit: http://www.bulldogreporter.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=8DDA9EA3260B4C43A5D8841269C50306&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=53D88D74A99849C185183B336A3F3B02&tier=4&id=13AEEEDDCC6F4BBDBC0C2754883E85AE&AudID=213D92F8BE0D4A1BB62EB3DF18FCCC68 ... View more

DALLAS, May 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines and its 60 Pittsburgh Employees today are celebrating the airline's fifth year of service at the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). "Pittsburgh is a great place to live and work. We are thrilled to be celebrating five years of service here in the Keystone State," said Mike Gillock, Southwest Airlines' Pittsburgh Station Leader.  "Our Employees remain committed to continuing to serve the city and helping it flourish." "The Allegheny County Airport Authority is excited to share in this celebration.  Southwest's commitment has provided our region's business and leisure travelers with truly competitive service, more travel selections and new opportunities. Southwest Airlines has also benefited from our world-class airport and highly trained workforce. We look forward to continuing our long, mutually-beneficial partnership," stated Glenn R. Mahone, Chairman, Allegheny County Airport Authority. Pittsburgh (PIT) statistics: •    Southwest began service in PIT on May 4, 2005, with 10 daily nonstop departures to four cities, Chicago (Midway), Las Vegas, Orlando, Philadelphia •    Southwest currently offers 21 daily nonstop departures to seven cities: Baltimore/Washington, Chicago (Midway), Las Vegas, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Tampa Bay •    Southwest gives Customers the Freedom to Fly from Pittsburgh to 57 destinations across the country on convenient nonstop, direct, or connecting se rvice. •    PIT-based Employees: 60 •    PIT was the 60th Station to open its doors in the Southwest Airlines system Additionally, Southwest Airlines is celebrating with its Employees and Customers today at its gates in the A Terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport. For a first-person account of PIT's station opening five years ago, visit www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/southwest-airlines-celebrates-five-years-pittsburgh  PIT Ramp Supervisor Adrian Hernandez shares his thoughts on the past five years at Pittsburgh International Airport. Southwest Employees also Shared the Spirit for their fifth anniversary in Pittsburgh by volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Pittsburgh. Volunteers from the local PIT Station cooked hamburgers and hot dogs and held an indoor picnic for patients and their families staying at the House. The House is now located at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh   and can provide a home away from home for approximately 58 families. The Ronald McDonald House has been a beloved charity of Southwest Airlines and its Employees for more than 25 years. The Airline's Employees proudly Share the Spirit through volunteering in the communities where they work and live. Southwest is the only U.S. airline to remain consistently profitable this decade. Southwest has among the lowest cost structures and strongest balance sheets of any major U.S. airline.  At Southwest Airlines, Customers get low fares and no hidden fees.  You can check your first two bags for free, there are no change fees, no fees for a window or aisle seat, and, as always, snacks, sodas, and smiles are all complimentary! After more than 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation's leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, currently serves 68 cities in 35 states (with additional service to Panama City Beach, Fla., May 23, 2010). Based in Dallas, Southwest operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com SOURCE Southwest Airlines     Media Contact: Public Relations of Southwest Airlines, +1-214-792-4847 Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040715/DATH028-a Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010718/SWNULOOK Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010724/SWALOGO Photo: AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org Photo: PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Web Site: http://www.southwest.com ... View more

Southwest Airlines expertly uses blogging, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, podcasts, flickr, LinkedIn, and more to communicate and connect with their customers every day. Southwest has also become a model for how to successfully use social media to address potentially harmful feedback from customers. If fact, many social media marketers and business owners have closely examined the strategy Southwest used to navigate the Kevin Smith incident. TMMPDX.COM had the opportunity to hear from Southwest’s Emerging Media Specialist, Lindsey Reynolds, about how the airline uses social media to strengthen and improve their brand image, increase sales, and how the Southwest team stays on top of the latest social trends. You can learn more about Southwest’s approach by attending the eMarketing Summit at Innotech, where Lindsey will be discussing Southwest’s journey through social media. to read more, visit: http://www.tmmpdx.com/innotech-emarketing-summit-speaker-preview-southwest-airlines-lindsey-reynolds/ ... View more

by KYW’s Al Novack Southwest airlines conducted its second annual plane pulling contest benefiting the Ronald McDonald houses in the region on Sunday. to read more, visit: http://www.kyw1060.com/Second-Annual-Southwest-Airlines-Plane-Pulling-Con/6945341 ... View more

By Gita Sitaramiah gsitaramiah@pioneerpress.com Southwest Airlines is adding flights to Phoenix from the Twin Cities starting Aug. 15 as the airline prunes flights elsewhere. To read more, visit: http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_14968348?nclick_check=1 ... View more

Southwest Airlines Co. said Tuesday it is launching new service between Phoenix and Minneapolis and between Phoenix and Boston. The airline, based in Dallas, said that starting Aug. 15, it will operate two daily nonstops between Phoenix and Minneapolis. Beginning Sept. 7, Southwest will operate one daily nonstop flight between Phoenix and Boston. ... View more

Terry Maxon/Reporter   Southwest Airlines has decorated its airplanes with images like whales and (briefly, not pun intended) swimsuit models, yes, but it also has six airplanes that recognize the states in which it flies. On Friday, it launched the seventh state-themed jet: Florida One, a Boeing 737-700 painted with the Florida state flag. to read more, visit:  http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/04/florida-now-has-a-southwest-ai.html ... View more

By TED JACKOVICS tjackovics@tampatrib.com Published: April 24, 2010 TAMPA - Southwest Airlines, in a ceremony at Tampa International Airport on Friday, unveiled a Boeing 737 painted to depict the Florida state flag. to read more, visit: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/apr/24/bz-southwest-jet-extols-airlines-state-pride/ ... View more

The SMU Public Relations Student Society of America chapter  hosted a Southwest Airlines executive to discuss how major airlines prepare for and respond to crises in the age of social media on April 20. PRSSA vice president Allie Owens introduced Linda Rutherford, vice president of communications and strategic outreach. Rutherford’s   lecture was titled “Nuts About Online Communication.” to read more, visit: http://www.smudailycampus.com/news/southwest-airlines-takes-advantage-of-social-media-1.1377760 ... View more

By Tom Belden Southwest Airlines chairman Gary Kelly tried to flatter me last week during the company's quarterly conference call with analysts and the media by saying it was my idea for the carrier to start nonstop flights between Philadelphia and Boston. I'm happy to take credit for such a logical and lucrative extension of the airline's route network. But Kelly was joking (I hope) because the credit really goes to you, the customer, for pleading with Southwest for relief from the high fares that other airlines were charging on the Philadelphia-Boston route. All I did was hound Southwest officials for nearly a year, asking when it would enter a market we all knew it would someday. to read more, visit:  http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/20100426_Winging_It__Airlines_react_to_global_pressures.html ... View more

IT'S HERE! We kept it under wraps as long as we could, but today I'm so excited to announce the unveiling of Florida One--a Boeing 737 emblazoned with an artist’s rendering of the state flag.  Florida One has been secreted away in a private hangar somewhere in the state of Louisiana this week, so I can speak for a lot of people when I say we are so ready to finally show it off!  Southwest kicked off the event with a press conference in a Tampa International Airport hangar with our CEO Gary Kelly, National Wildlife Refuge Association’s President Evan Herche, and Southwest’s Florida-based Employees.  To see video of our beautiful Florida One, please visit: http://blogsouthwest.com/video/introducing-florida-one Florida One represents our ties to the Sunshine State since beginning service in January of 1996.  We opened two cities on the same day back then:  Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood and Tampa Bay.  We've grown from 17 daily nonstop departures to 284 daily nonstop departures, and now carry 20 percent of all air traffic to the state of Florida.  And last (but certainly not least) we begin service to our seventh Florida city, Panama City Beach, on May 23, 2010. Check out our undercover plane as it's being unwrapped: More than 200 Southwest Airlines Employees and community leaders celebrated the unveiling this morning at Tampa Airport, and around 11am EST, the aircraft will begin a whistle-stop tour of our Florida cities. At each stop, we'll host a "welcome party" in the Southwest gate area to show off our newest Boeing beauty to Employees and Customers. Our tour of Florida will touch down at: Tampa Jacksonville West Palm Beach Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood Orlando Ft. Myers Florida One joins thirteen other 737s in Southwest’s fleet that carry a unique paint scheme: Arizona One, California One, Illinois One, Lone Star One (Texas), Nevada One, New Mexico One, Maryland One, three Shamu aircraft (SeaWorld), Silver One (celebrating Southwest’s 25th anniversary), Triple Crown One (recognizing Southwest’s top rankings for ontime performance, baggage handling, and Customer satisfaction), and Slam Dunk One (tribute to our NBA partnership).  Whoo! That's a lotta livery! The newest aircraft in the Southwest Airlines fleet is truly a work of labor and art, requiring 32 people at the Boeing Company working three shifts over the course of eight days to paint.  Over 46 gallons of paint and 16 different colors make up Florida One.  (That sounds like a Trivial Pursuit question waiting to happen.) I've gotta run for now, as I don't think Florida One will wait just for me. Be sure to follow @southwestair for updates throughout the day (hashtag #FL1) and I'll see you in Jacksonville!   ... View more

I’ve gotten to do some pretty crazy things working for Southwest (surprising Employees with $10,000, dressing up as a plane at our Milwaukee tailgate, flying as a leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day…) but this special event just might take the cake. If only I could tell you what it is. Sorry, you’ll have to check back in with us tomorrow, specifically around 8:30 Central Time. We’ll be somewhere in a Southwest city unveiling a very special surprise, and trust me, it’s one you won’t want to miss. Want to see every second, every twitpic, every twitvid I can capture during my time in the air and on the ground? Follow @southwestair and @pookypug (that's me!) on Twitter—I’ll be giving updates throughout the day. Looks like it’s time to go back undercover—my camo face paint is wearing off. ... View more

By DAVID KOENIG The Associated Press DALLAS -- By the slimmest of margins, Southwest Airlines Co. made a profit in the first quarter while other big carriers were losing money. to read more, visit:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/22/AR2010042201659.html?wprss=rss_business/wires ... View more

DALLAS, TEXAS – April 22, 2010 – Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) today reported  first quarter 2010 net income of $11 million, or $.01 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $91 million, or $.12 loss per diluted share, for first quarter 2009.   First quarter 2010 results included special items (net of taxes) of $13 million, related to non-cash, mark-to-market, and other items associated with a portion of the Company’s fuel hedge portfolio.   Excluding special items for both periods, first quarter 2010 net income was $24 million, or $.03 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $20 million, or $.03 loss per diluted share, in first quarter 2009.  The first quarter 2010 net income per diluted share, excluding special items, is in line with Thomson's First Call mean estimate of $.03 net income per diluted share.   Additional information regarding special items is included in this release and in the accompanying reconciliation tables. Gary C. Kelly, CEO, stated: “We are extremely pleased to report a profitable start to the year, especially in this challenging economic environment exacerbated by persistently high energy costs.  As the quarter progressed, we began to see modest improvement in demand for business travel, as measured by the increase in full-fare traffic.  Overall demand for our Low Fares and high quality Customer Service remained strong, resulting in a record first quarter performance for load factor, passenger yield, and passenger revenues.  Furthermore, first quarter 2010 operating unit revenues, and the corresponding 19.3 percent year-over-year increase, represent all-time quarterly records.  To achieve this revenue performance in, seasonally, the weakest quarter, is notable.  To do so in a recovering economic environment is truly remarkable.  Thus far, strong load factor and yield trends have continued in April and, assuming trends continue, we expect another significant year-over-year unit revenue gain in second quarter 2010. “Our network optimization and revenue management efforts continue to contribute significantly to this industry-leading revenue performance.  Efforts to enhance our already exceptional Brand and Customer Experience also have contributed.  We were recently recognized by Business Week in its fourth annual listing of Customer Service Champs.  As the only domestic airline to receive an award, the publication attributed our Bags Fly Free policy and proactive Customer Service as the primary reasons for our recognition.”   As anticipated, first quarter 2010 economic fuel costs increased 33 percent year-over-year to $2.34 per gallon, which included approximately $44 million in unfavorable cash settlements from derivative contracts.  For the remainder of 2010, including second quarter, Southwest currently has derivative contracts in place for approximately 65 percent of estimated fuel consumption at crude-equivalent prices up to approximately $100 per barrel; approximately 40 percent if market prices settle in the $100 to $120 per barrel range; and approximately 60 percent if market prices exceed $120 per barrel.  Based on the current 2010 fuel hedge portfolio and market prices (as of April 20, 2010), the Company estimates economic fuel costs, including fuel taxes, for second quarter will be in the $2.40 to $2.45 per gallon range.  Beyond 2010, the Company has derivative contracts in place for over 60 percent of its estimated 2011 fuel consumption; approximately 50 percent for 2012; approximately 25 percent for 2013, and a modest position for 2014. Excluding fuel, first quarter 2010 unit costs increased 9.8 percent from the same period a year ago, largely due to a 6.4 percent decline in first quarter year-over-year available seat miles (capacity).  Based on current cost trends and flat year-over-year capacity, the Company anticipates second quarter 2010 unit costs, excluding fuel, will exceed second quarter 2009’s 6.91 cents.    “As part of our continual efforts to adapt to dramatically higher energy prices, we remain focused on improving productivity to combat cost pressures, with a three percent reduction in headcount per aircraft over first quarter last year,” stated Kelly.  “We anticipate year-over-year nonfuel cost pressures will be more in the first half of 2010, but should ebb, somewhat, in the second half of the year with modest capacity additions.    “We have made great progress on numerous strategic revenue initiatives, and work continues on enhancements to our frequent flyer, southwest.com, and revenue management systems.   Although we announced last week that we are terminating our Canadian codeshare agreement with WestJet, our efforts continue uninterrupted to enable international connecting itineraries to Mexico with Volaris.  “Operationally, our People continued to deliver outstanding levels of Customer Service, despite severe weather resulting in significant cancellations during first quarter 2010.  I am very grateful to all of our 35,000 hard-working and resilient Employees for their tremendous efforts.  It is because of their unwavering Warrior Spirits that Southwest Airlines continues to lead the industry and be recognized for excellence.” For the fourteenth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine recognized Southwest Airlines in its annual survey of corporate reputations.  Among all industries, Southwest Airlines was named the twelfth most admired Company in the world.  It is the only U.S. airline to make this list of the World's Top 50 Most Admired Companies.  For the second year in a row, Southwest Airlines was named the top-rated corporate brand in American City Business Journals’ brand ranking survey.  Southwest Airlines Cargo was recently recognized by Air Cargo World in its sixth annual Air Cargo Excellence Survey, receiving the highest overall score and leading all airlines in the Performance and Value categories.  The Southwest Airlines’ Leadership team received the honor of being ranked number two on the 2009 top 20 Best Companies for Leadership List presented by Business Week, in partnership with The Hay Group.  And, in the February 2010 issue of Institutional Investor Magazine, Gary Kelly and Laura Wright were both named to the 2010 All-America Executive Team as the top performing CEO and CFO, respectively, in the airline sector. The Company has previously announced its plans to begin service on May 23, 2010, to the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport near Panama City Beach, Florida with eight daily nonstop flights.   Southwest will discuss its first quarter 2010 results on a conference call at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time today.  A live broadcast of the conference call will be available at southwest.com/investor_relations. Operating Results Total operating revenues for first quarter 2010 increased 11.6 percent to $2.63 billion, compared to $2.36 billion for first quarter 2009.  Total first quarter 2010 operating expenses were $2.58 billion, compared to $2.41 billion in first quarter 2009.  Operating income for first quarter 2010 was $54 million, compared to an operating loss of $50 million in first quarter 2009.  Excluding special items, operating income was $102 million in first quarter 2010, compared to $31 million for the same period last year.               “Other expenses” were $37 million for first quarter 2010, compared to $57 million for first quarter 2009, a decline of $20 million, primarily due to the decrease in “other losses, net”.   In first quarter 2010 and first quarter 2009, “other losses, net” included net unrealized gains associated with the Company’s fuel hedging program of $27 million and $10 million, respectively.  It also included hedging program costs of $31 million in first quarter 2010 and $32 million in first quarter 2009.  The first quarter 2010 effective tax rate was 35 percent compared to 15 percent for the same period last year.  The first quarter 2009 tax rate was impacted by the Company’s projections for full year 2009 financial results and the related impact that permanent tax differences were expected to have on those projections. Net cash provided by operations for first quarter 2010 was $373 million compared to $286 million provided by operations for the same period last year.  First quarter 2010 capital expenditures were $139 million, and the Company’s planned 2010 capital expenditures remain in the $600 to $700 million range.  In addition to a fully available, unsecured, revolving credit facility of $600 million, the Company currently has approximately $3 billion in cash and short-term investments.     The Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2009, has been adjusted to retroactively apply an elective change in accounting method for frequent flyer benefits.  With this change, the Company now makes an accrual for partially earned frequent flyer awards.  Previously, the Company only accrued for fully earned frequent flyer awards. The impact of this change to the Company's first quarter 2010 and first quarter 2009 unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Cash Flows, respectively, was not material.   This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to (i) the Company’s growth plans and expectations; (ii) its financial and operating strategies and initiatives and related expectations; and (iii) its expectations regarding future results of operations. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current intent, 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 price and availability of aircraft fuel, the impact of hedge accounting, and any changes to the Company’s strategies for addressing fuel price volatility; (ii) continued economic uncertainty, which could continue to impact the demand for air travel and the Company’s ability to adjust fares; (iii) the impact of fuel prices and economic conditions on the Company’s overall business plan and strategies; (iv) competitor capacity decisions; (v) the Company’s ability to timely and effectively prioritize its initiatives and related expenditures and its ability to timely and effectively implement, transition, and maintain the necessary information technology systems and infrastructure to support its initiatives; (vi) the Company’s dependence on third parties to assist with implementation of certain of its initiatives; (vii) the impact of governmental regulations on the Company’s operations; and (viii) other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. ... 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CORPUS CHRISTI — Southwest Airlines has chosen its local staff at Corpus Christi International Airport as its Station of the Year for its safety record, operational performance and customer service. Corpus Christi was chosen from among 68 stations nationwide. to read more, visit: http://www.caller.com/news/2010/apr/20/corpus-christi-airport-wins-southwest-airlines/ ... View more

By DAVID KOENIG Southwest Airlines Co. is scheduled to report first-quarter results Thursday. Here's a summary of key developments in the period. WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Southwest has defied the trend among other U.S. carriers to charge extra fees for checked baggage, hoping it will be able to lure passengers away from the competition. to read more, visit: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9F73TBG0.htm ... View more

by Mike Barish  We're not shy about our love of SkyMall here at Gadling. And our favorite in-flight catalog has a history of partnering with the Dallas-based Southwest Airlines. But this time around, instead of giving away Garden Yetis, the two travel pals are teaming up to send a couple of lucky winners on a trip for two to Panana City Beach, Florida. to read more, visit:  http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/20/skymall-and-southwest-airlines-want-to-send-you-to-florida/ ... View more

Photo by Benet J. Wilson Although I mainly cover business aviation, I still watch what's going on in the airports side of the business with much interest. So I was fascinated when my friends at Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) issued a press release yesterday announcing a major revamp of the concessions program at Los Angeles International Airport.  You can see the LA Times story here. to read more, visit: http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/commercial_aviation/ThingsWithWings/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a7a78f54e-b3dd-4fa6-ae6e-dff2ffd7bdbbPost%3a13660df7-a04f-4f0a-9f23-4c8a21cdfc07 ... View more

By CHERYL HALL / The Dallas Morning News cherylhall@dallasnews.com Two years ago, Gary Kelly drew a competitive line in the sand when he decided not to charge passengers for their bags. The 55-year-old chief executive of Southwest Airlines Co. didn't want employees to face customer wrath for an issue that would have gone against the essence of Southwest."We had our niche for a long time," Kelly says in his headquarters office at Love Field. "We were the low-cost carrier, the low-fare carrier. Nobody paid much attention to us. Well, that ain't the case anymore." to read more, visit: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/041810dnbushall.3dabcfe.html ... View more

*** MEDIA ALERT *** MEDIA ALERT ***MEDIA ALERT*** SOUTHWEST AIRLINES NEWS TELECONFERENCE FIRST QUARTER 2010 FINANCIAL RESULTS WHO:                         Gary Kelly, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer Laura Wright, Senior Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer WHAT:                       Upon completion of the question and answer portion of the call dedicated to our audience of investors/analysts, members of the media will be given an opportunity to ask questions of Mr. Kelly and Ms. Wright about the airline’s financial results for the first quarter 2010.    WHERE:                    Mr. Kelly and Ms. Wright will be taking media calls from the offices of Southwest Airlines Corporate Headquarters in Dallas. WHEN:                      11:30 AM Central Daylight Time   April 22, 2010 HOW:                         Those interested in participating in the News Teleconference should dial (888) 271-8596 up to ten minutes prior to the 11:30 a.m. CST start of the call.  A passcode is required to be connected to the call. Passcode:  4409069 A live broadcast of the conference call will be available via the Investor Relations homepage at southwest.com/investor_relations.  A replay of the webcast will also be available on the Events Calendar in the Investor Relations section of the website. www.southwest.com ... View more

By Aaron Smith, CNNMoney.com staff writer CNNMoney.com Japan Airlines International was the number one carrier in the world for on-time performance last year, with Southwest and Hawaiian Airlines leading the way in North America, according to a report issued Wednesday. ... View more

DALLAS –April 15, 2010 – Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) today is celebrating 20 years of service from Bob Hope Airport. To commemorate the anniversary, Southwest will throw a “Bravo, Burbank – A Star is Born!”-themed celebration today with its Employees and Customers at Bob Hope Airport, complete with music, decorations, games, prizes. Customers aboard some flights between Burbank and Las Vegas today will be entertained by colorful characters from Le Rêve (the dream), the aqua spectacle-in-the-round, now in production at The Wynn Theater in Las Vegas. Members of the international cast will also entertain Customers and Employees during a media availability:   Media Availability Details: •         When: Thursday, April 15 at 1 p.m. PDT •         Where: Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter, The Bob Hope Airport •         What: Southwest Airlines Employees and officials with The Bob Hope Airport will give remarks. •         Visuals: Performers with Le Rêve will entertain Employees and Customers •         Media should arrive by 12:45 p.m. PDT at the Southwest Ticket Counter. •         Media Contact: Brad Hawkins, Southwest Airlines, c: 214-792-4413.           “Southwest Airlines is proud to be celebrating 20 years of low fares and Legendary Customer Service from the airport of choice for so many of our Customers across the Burbank- Glendale-Pasadena area,” said Dave Yarborough, Southwest’s Burbank Station Leader. “We’re dedicated to many more years of giving the good people of Southern California the Freedom to fly.”   “Southwest Airlines’ excellent customer service and no-hassle approach to flying their passengers fits well with our way of doing business,” said Victor Gill, Director of Public Affairs for Bob Hope Airport. “We appreciate their approach to making travel fun and affordable and look forward to celebrating this milestone with their employees and passengers.” To view a blog post, visit: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/flashback-fridays-20-years-burbank-southwestairlines. Southwest Employees are also celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Burbank service by volunteering their time at the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank, one of the largest foodbanks in the United States. The Foodbank supplies enough food for 750,000 meals each week throughout Los Angeles County. For more information, please visit: www.lafoodbank.org.  The airline’s Employees proudly Share the Spirit through volunteering in the communities where they work and live. Southwest began service from Burbank on April 16, 1990, with daily nonstop flights to Las Vegas and Oakland. Today the airline offers 54 daily nonstop flights to five destinations, with direct or connecting service to an additional 57 cities. Burbank was the 29th city on the airline’s route map.     After 38 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 most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience, with all leather seats, and all Boeing 737 jets. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, currently serving 68 cities in 35 states.  Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.   www.southwest.com Media Please Contact: Southwest Airlines Communications at 214/792-4847            ... View more

As spring travel picks up, so does consumer perception of the brands that cater to this sector. According to market research firm YouGov's BrandIndex report, Southwest Airlines, Shell Oil and AutoZone are the winners in their respective industries when it comes to buzz, quality, satisfaction, value and consumer willingness to recommend the brands. to read more, visit: http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/direct/e3i5aa07fe16321f4391e5516f14c58cb5a ... View more

to watch the video, please visit: http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1468691551&play=1 ... View more