Southwest Airlines Community

Southwest Airlines is pleased to announce that its Pilots represented by the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA), voted to ratify the tentative, five-year contract both parties reached last month. The new contract is active through Aug. 31, 2011. The current Southwest Pilot contract became amendable on Aug. 31, 2006. SWAPA and Southwest Airlines began contract negotiations in September 2006.   “I applaud the negotiation teams and the members of SWAPA for voting for this new agreement,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO. “It goes without saying that this new contract was negotiated in good faith during a consistently challenging economic period for the airline industry. Our Pilots are the hardest working and most productive in the business and deserve a contract that reflects this, yet is still in keeping with the current uncertain economic outlook.” This new contract rewards SWAPA membership for the Company’s past two years of profitability, while making a critical move to tie the next two years' compensation to the Company’s financial performance. SWAPA is made up of more than 5,900 Pilots.   After 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.  At Southwest Airlines, bags fly free. Customers can check their first two bags at no extra charge (size and weight limits apply). Southwest 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 domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 68 cities in 35 states.  Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,100 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.   www.southwest.com   Southwest Airlines Media Contact: 214/792-4847   ... View more

from Things with Wings by Benet Wilson It's the day before Halloween and I just got the scare of my life -- Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly dressed up as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.  OK, I kid (sort of).  So I did the calls to see who was dressed up as what this year. to read more, visit: http://tinyurl.com/y9urst8 ... View more

Southwest Airlines has a reputation as a company that marches to its own beat, even a little offbeat, in its sensibilities.  to read more, visit: http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_CEO/2009/November_December/Dallas_CEO_of... ... View more

Celtics Fans Who Enroll in Rapid Rewards Frequent Flyer Program Can Get Up to Eight Credits or 50% of the Way Towards a Free Flight! Southwest Airlines and the 17-time NBA Champion Boston Celtics are proud to announce their continued partnership for the 2009-2010 NBA season. With this announcement, Southwest Airlines celebrates a 14-year partnership with one the NBA's most storied franchises. This sponsorship includes in-arena signage and promotions during all Celtics home games at the TD Garden. To celebrate this announcement, Southwest Airlines is offering Celtics fans a special Rapid Rewards promotion*. Visit southwest.com/celticsrapidrewards to enroll in Rapid Rewards and get up to eight credits -- that's half way to your first free flight. Offer is valid for new Members only. Southwest is also pleased to announce that Boston Celtics player Brian Scalabrine, 6'9" forward, will serve as a Travel Ambassador for the carrier's newest online feature, the Southwest Airlines Travel Guide located at www.southwest.com. Scalabrine will create a profile on the new Travel Guide and, throughout the season, Brian will write about his travels across the country. Along with Scalabrine's entries, Customers can check out travel tips and recommendations posted by other Southwest travelers. In addition, when Celtics fans visit the team's website located at www.celtics.com, for each away game on the schedule fans can click on the Southwest icon to book low-fare trips to most away cities the Celtics visit this season! For more than 13 years, Southwest Airlines has operated out of the Boston area with service from Providence, RI; Manchester, NH; and most recently, Boston Logan. The airline currently operates 63 daily nonstop flights from the Boston area to nine cities. Last month, Southwest announced the carrier will also begin new nonstop service out of Boston Logan to Denver and St. Louis, and additional flights to Baltimore/Washington in early 2010. After 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. At Southwest Airlines, bags fly free. Customers can check their first two bags at no extra charge (size and weight limits apply). Southwest 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 domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 67 cities (adding Milwaukee Nov. 1, 2009) in 34 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com The Rapid Rewards Award is free, but travel is subject to the government- imposed September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 per roundtrip. Travel good on Southwest Airlines operated, published, scheduled service. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply. SOURCE Southwest Airlines CONTACT: Southwest Airlines Media, +1-214-792-4847 Web site: http://www.southwest.com Web site: http://www.celtics.com ... View more

Southwest Airlines announced today that the carrier has renewed its relationship as the official sponsor of the National Basketball Association's (NBA's) Denver Nuggets. The sponsorship will include in-arena signage, promotions, contests, and more during Nuggets home games. Southwest has been the official airline sponsor of the Nuggets since the 2008/2009 season. To celebrate the continued relationship, Southwest will host a "Bags Fly Free" event outside of the Pepsi Center tonight to help tip-off opening night of the season. The first 40 fans to arrive at the tent and say "Bags Fly Free only on Southwest Airlines" will enter a chance to win tickets to the Nuggets game and roundtrip tickets on Southwest Airlines. "Denverites are passionate about their hometown Nuggets, and Southwest Airlines is passionate about Denver," said Southwest Airlines Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Distribution Kevin Krone. "We're excited to see all that this partnership will bring to our valued Customers and to Nuggets fans!" "The Denver Nuggets are extremely proud to partner with a best-in-class brand like Southwest Airlines," said Executive Vice President of KSE, Paul Andrews. " We are committed to supporting the successful climb Southwest Airlines has accomplished in this market and look forward to strengthening their position as an industry leader." In addition to in-arena signage, the sponsorship will include advertising rights, halftime promotions with chances to win roundtrip tickets on Southwest Airlines, and Rapid Rewards frequent flyer incentives to Nuggets fans. Southwest Airlines began service to Denver on January 3, 2006, with 13 daily nonstop departures to three destinations. The airline currently operates 112 daily nonstop flights from the Mile High City, making Denver the fastest growing city in the Company's history. Last month, Southwest announced that the carrier will begin new nonstop service between Denver and Boston Logan; Denver and Spokane; and Denver and Reno/Tahoe in January 2010. With previously announced service, Southwest will operate 127 daily nonstop flights from Denver to 43 cities by May 2010. 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. Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest convenient and simple. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 67 cities in 34 states (Southwest will add a 68th city, Milwaukee, November 1, 2009). 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 CONTACT: Southwest Airlines Media Contact, +1-214-792-4847 ... View more

We asked, and you answered. You still really, really love the low-cost airlines. When we put it to SmarterTravel readers to pick their favorite and least favorite airlines again this year, some familiar names turned up in both the positive and negative categories. More than 7,400 of you participated in the voting for our second annual Readers' Choice Awards. You told us you're active travelers, with most of you taking four to six flights this year alone; you're also value-conscious, and consider price the most influential factor in determining airfare purchases. The airlines in the running were AirTran, Alaska, American, Continental, Delta , Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Midwest, Northwest, Southwest, Spirit, United, US Airways, and Virgin America, all vying for your votes in 12 categories. Here's how you rated the major players in the airline industry. to read more, visit: http://www.smartertravel.com/Readers-Choice-2009 ... View more

By ANDREA AHLES FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM “To celebrate our new in-flight wine selection, tell us why ‘You'd Rather Be Drinking Wine than Working,'.” tweeted Southwest Airlines. to read more, visit: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6685854.html ... View more

BY LEWIS LAZARE Sun-Times Columnist Most airlines have been busy much of the last year slashing capacity in response to a sharp downturn in air travel. Low-fare behemoth Southwest Airlines has cut flights, too. But several months ago, Southwest apparently decided it was time to stand up and take a leadership role within the beaten-down aviation industry. to read more, visit: http://www.suntimes.com/business/lazare/1845732,CST-FIN-lew26.article ... View more

-- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) today announced at its annual Media Day a "green plane," an innovative idea that marries efficiency, environmentally responsible products, Customer comfort, and reduced waste and weight. This plane, a Boeing 737-700, will serve as a test environment for new environmentally responsible materials and Customer comfort products. It is a flying testament to the airline's philosophy that environmental decisions make good business sense. All of the initiatives being tested on this Green Plane, when combined, will equate to a weight savings of almost five pounds per seat, thus saving fuel and reducing emissions, along with adding recyclable elements to the cabin interior and reducing waste. "Southwest is committed to continuing to lead the industry in emissions reductions through fuel efficiency. Efficiency in fuel consumption benefits our Company as well as the environment, and this has been part of our business model since the beginning," said Gary Kelly, Southwest's Chairman, President, and CEO. "As we look to the future, we know climate change remains of vital importance to our industry, our Company, and our Customers, so Southwest works hard every day in every area to be a responsible steward of the environment." Southwest has designated one aircraft to serve as a test for eco-friendly products, which include:     --  InterfaceFLOR Carpet - this carpet reduces labor and material costs         because it is installed in sections, thus eliminating the need for total         replacement of areas such as aisles, where Southwest currently uses one         single piece of carpet. The 100 percent recyclable carpet is returned to         the manufacturer at the end of its service life and completely         re-manufactured into new carpet; the process is completely carbon         neutral.     --  Seat covers - two new products that will be tested on the aircraft         seats, offering more than twice the durability than the current leather         seats as well as a weight savings of almost two pounds per seat.         --  On one side of the aisle, e-Leather is an eco-friendly, lightweight             and scuff resistant man-made alternative to traditional leather. It             is made from recycled materials that have been discarded by the             leather industry. It is then upgraded utilizing eco-friendly             technology, resulting in composition leather, a man-made material.         --  On the other side of the aisle, IZIT Leather, a new breed of premium             leather alternative, is an evolutionary step beyond calf skin that             offers a lightweight product that is both economical and durable,             but with the genuine appearance and touch of luxurious leather.     --  Life Vest Pouch - more environmentally friendly because it offers a         weight savings of one pound per passenger, replacing the current metal         container with lighter durable canvas. The smaller pouch also creates         more room under the seat for carryon items and offers productivity         improvements due to design change.     --  Foam Fill - A lighter weight fill from Garnier PURtec in the back of the         seats that reduces weight while providing increased Customer comfort.     --  Passenger Seat Rub Strips - switching from plastic to aluminum will help         with durability, which reduces waste, as well as being recyclable. "Southwest is proud to lead the aviation industry in environmental stewardship and honored to be working with these eco-friendly vendors and our partners at Boeing," Kelly says. "We are excited to test their forward-thinking products and expect these green products to not only help the environment, but also create a fuel and materials cost saving for Southwest." In addition to the green plane, Southwest also announced the Nov. 1 kickoff of its more robust onboard recycling program, which is a co-mingled system that will allow the airline to capture more recyclable material and divert it from the waste stream. This 18-month process involved team work from all areas of the Company to implement the program on the ground at its Provisioning Bases and re-working of waste collection procedures in the cabin. "The initiative by the Southwest Airlines Green Team, Facilities Maintenance, Inflight Department, and Provisioning Department was a truly heroic effort; when you serve nearly 68 cities there are often 68 different ways to implement a program," Kelly says. "We appreciate the hard work of our recycling vendor, Republic Services, and we are excited to take a very effective recycling program and make it even better." Environmental Stewardship is a responsibility Southwest takes seriously, and efficient operations are the hallmark of our Company and the foundation of our environmental commitment. Over the decades, Southwest has been at the forefront of such efficiencies as paperless tickets, quick turnarounds, installation of winglets, and, more recently; the installation of fleet-wide advanced avionics. This focus on efficiency not only makes good business sense, it is the right thing to do. For more information on how Southwest Airlines cares for the environment, visit www.southwest.com/cares. www.southwest.com SOURCE Southwest Airlines      Media Contact: Public Relations of Southwest Airlines, +1-214-792-4847 ... View more

WHAT:    Southwest Airlines is hosting Media Day today at the                   airlines headquarters in Dallas.  Gary Kelly will be                   breaking news during his presentation--so be sure to tune in!                   To participate in the live webcast of Gary's 1:00 pm                   announcement, visit:                   http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=63169.                   Immediately following Gary's presentation, Southwest                   will be webcasting a presentation by Kevin Krone, Southwest                   Airlines Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and                   Distribution.                   If you are unable to view streaming media, follow                   Southwest Airlines on Twitter for the latest updates                   throughout the day: www.twitter.com/southwestair     WHEN:         Wed., Oct. 21, 2008                   1:00 p.m. Central Time     OTHER     INFORMATION:  Presentations from Southwest Airlines Leaders and other                   Media Day information can be viewed at www.swamedia.com                   after 5 p.m. CDT.                   If you experience problems listening to the webcast,                   send an E-mail to: webcast@multivu.com.                   To contact Southwest Airlines Media Relations, please call                   214-792-4847. www.southwest.com ... View more

Can a picture inspire a vacation?  Southwest Airlines thinks it can! Southwest Airlines is looking for your “Vacation Inspiring Photos,” or VIPs - original, jaw dropping, grab-your-bags–right-now-because-It’s-On! photos to feature on the Southwest Airlines Travel Guide. “There are times when you see a picture of a beautiful landscape, a charming café, or the bright lights of a big city, and it makes you just want to pack your bags and go,” said Athena Halton, Southwest Airlines Online Marketing Specialist.  “We’re looking for those VIPs, or Vacation Inspiring Photos, and we’ve got great prizes for the best of the best.” From October 20, 2009, through November 13, 2009, Customers can submit travel photos via the Southwest Airlines Travel Guide.  Each week, the airline will select one winning photo and the winner will receive a new digital Kodak camera. One Grand Prize winner will receive two roundtrip tickets on Southwest Airlines and have his or her photo featured in the airline’s onboard magazine, Spirit. To Enter: ·        Visit http://www.southwest.com/vipcontest/ and create a Travel Guide profile.   ·        Add a Trip titled “(insert city name) has VIPs!” For Example:  “DENVER has VIPs!” ·        Enter the appropriate destination city name ·        Upload your photo ·        Title the photo “VIP Contest – (insert title of photo).”  For Example:  “VIP Contest—Rocky Mountains” About Travel Guide Travel Guide offers Southwest Airlines’ Customers insights, tips, and unbiased opinions from a vast network of other travelers within a friendly and relaxed community built on unscripted traveler dialogue. Customers can utilize the site for pre-trip planning or as an outlet to share travel knowledge by posting photos, videos, ratings, and written reviews either during or after their trip.  The Guide also includes some hints and tips from the best travel experts we know—our own Southwest Airlines' Employees!  Customers can create their own Travel Guide profile and search for information on their favorite vacation spots by desired destination, activity, or theme. About Southwest Airlines 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.  Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest convenient and simple.  Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 67 cities in 34 states (soon to be 68 with Milwaukee service beginning Nov. 1, 2009).  Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide. CONTEST RULES Southwest Airlines Travel Guide’s  “Vacation Inspiring Photo(s)” Contest NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING.  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. How to Enter the Contest 1.    Submission Format: Southwest Airlines “My Vacation Inspiring Photo(s)” (“Contest”) will begin on or around 12 a.m. CT on Monday, October 20, 2009, and will end on or around 4 p.m. CT on Wednesday, November 13th, 2009. ·         Visit southwest.com/travelguide and create a Travel Guide profile.   ·         Add a new Trip to your Travel Guide profile: ·         Title your Trip:  (Insert City Name) has VIPs!  (Ex. Dallas has VIPs!) ·         Enter the appropriate destination ·         Upload a photo:  Submit a Vacation Inspiring Photo(s)    o        (Required format: photo must be submitted as a 528x193 jpg) ·         Title your photo:  “VIP Contest –(insert title of photo)”.  (Ex. “VIP Contest—Rocky Mountains”) All entries submitted become the sole property of Southwest Airlines and will not be acknowledged or returned.  Proof of submission of an entry shall not be deemed proof of receipt by Southwest.  Southwest Airlines computer is the official time keeping device for the contest.  Southwest is not responsible for entries not received due to difficulty accessing the Internet, service outage or delays, computer difficulties, or other technological glitches.   2.   Eligibility Restrictions a.    The contest is open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous state who are 18 years of age or older as of October 19, 2009. Employees of Southwest Airlines have to be in good standing and on the payroll as of October 19, 2009.   b.    Only one winner per household is permitted. c.    Entrants are required to provide truthful information and Southwest will reject and delete any entry that it discovers to be false or fraudulent.  Southwest Airlines will disqualify any entry from individuals who do not meet the eligibility requirements 3.   Vacation Inspiring Photos—“Helpful Hints” ·         Ask yourself, “Does this photo remind me that it’s been too long since I had a vacation?” ·         Focus on showing photos with scenery in the background. (e.g., beautiful photos of city landmarks) ·         Avoid images taken inside a building and with large groups of people. ·         Inappropriate photos will not be posted or entered for judging 4.  Prizes: a.    One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive the following:  1) A full page placement of his/her winning photo in our Southwest Airlines Spirit magazine (2010 issue; month TBD),  2) Winning photo showcased within southwest.com Travel Guide (on the appropriate destination page), and  3) Two green passes for travel to any of our Southwest Airlines destinations.  (Approximate Retail Value ("ARV"): $1,000)   Certain travel restrictions may apply.  Travel arrangements must be made through Southwest Airlines.  No prize substitutions, cash equivalent, or transfer of prizes permitted except at the sole discretion of Southwest Airlines.   All other costs not specifically stated herein, including, but not limited to, taxes, meals, tips, and ground transportation, are the responsibility of the winner.  Taxes are solely the responsibility of the winner.  Winner and travel companion must travel on the same itinerary and are responsible for obtaining all required travel documents.  In addition, travel companion of Winner must be 18 years of age or older.   Winner and travel companion are responsible for obtaining travel insurance (and all other forms of insurance) where applicable, at their option, and hereby acknowledge that Southwest Airlines has not and will not obtain or provide travel insurance or any other form of insurance.   Tickets are subject to terms and conditions as specified by Southwest Airlines.  (Should the Grand Prize Winner be an Employee of Southwest Airlines, then he/she will be awarded two blue passes in exchange for the two green passes.)  Southwest Airlines reserve the right to remove or to deny entry to winner and/or guest if he/she engages in a disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other person. b.   Four (4) First Prize Weekly Winners will receive a Kodak digital camera.  (Approximate Retail Value: $200)   c.    In the event that a prize or prize certificate is mailed to the Winner, it will be with the prior written consent of the Winner and therefore, Winner assumes the risk of its loss.  Southwest Airlines is not responsible for the safe arrival of a prize or prize certificate. 5.   Selection of Winners Decisions of Southwest Airlines management with respect to the Contest are final. a.    The top five Vacation Inspiring Photo(s) Winners will be selected by a Southwest Airlines panel of judges from the Marketing/Communications Department to determine the most inspiring vacation photo.   All submissions will be judged on the following:  Created Travel Guide Profile (33%), Quality of photo submitted with required formatting sizes met (33%) and Photo submitted is deemed a Vacation Inspiring Photo (33%). b.     Winners must execute and return any required affidavit of eligibility and/or liability/publicity release within ten (10) days of notification attempt or prize will be forfeited and an alternate Winner may be chosen. If a potential Winner cannot be contacted, fails to sign and return the required affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release within the required time period, or if a prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, potential Winner forfeits prize. 6.   Conditions a.    By participating in the contest, the Winner or Winners agree to have their name, voice, or likeness used in any advertising or broadcasting material relating to this contest without additional financial or other compensation, unless prohibited by law and, where legal, to sign a publicity release confirming such consent prior to acceptance of the prize. b.    Prior to awarding any prize or prize certificate, Southwest Airlines in its sole discretion may require contest Winners (and their travel companions, if any) to sign a liability release, agreeing to hold Southwest Airlines and its Officers, Shareholders, Directors, Employees, Agents and Representatives harmless against any and all claims or liability arising directly or indirectly from the prize or participation in the Contest. c.    Southwest Airlines, in is sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process or the operation of Southwest Airlines web site or who is otherwise in violation of the rules.  It further reserves the right to cancel, terminate, or modify the contest if it is not capable of completion as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, or technical failures of any sort. d.    Southwest Airlines reserve the right to make changes in the rules of the Contest, including the substitution of a prize or equivalent value, which will become effective upon announcement.  If due to circumstances beyond the control of Southwest Airlines, any competition or prize-related event is delayed, rescheduled, postponed or cancelled.  Southwest Airlines reserves the right, but not the obligation, to cancel or modify the contest and shall not be required to award a substitute prize. e.    Southwest Airlines is not responsible for typographical or other errors in the printing, the offering or the administration of the Contest, or in the announcement of a prize. f.    Copies of the written Contest rules and a list of Winners (when complete) are available during regular business hours at Southwest Airlines Online Marketing 2702 Love Field Dr. Dallas, TX 75235 Contact: Southwest Airlines, Whitney Eichinger 214.792.6604 Whitney.Eichinger@wnco.com ... 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'Southwest Airlines is riding the blogosphere like a wild horse,' read the program description of Paula Berg's talk at the 2009 Inbound Marketing Summit, which was held in Boston last week on October 7 - 8. Berg's presentation was titled 'Nuts About Online Communication' and she discussed how Southwest has learned to leverage social media tools with its award-winning blog, as well as tools including Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. to read more, visit: http://www.airlinenewsresource.com/article41628.html ... View more

"We gauge which firms score at leveraging the platform." To read more, visit: http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/special-reports/other-reports/e3id3d058ba458918f0ad8e0fa4ed4bb973?pn=5 ... View more