Southwest Airlines Community

“In the music industry, it’s all about songs, and some of the best songs come from Nashville.” —Morgan Evans, Musician   Photo by John SchweikertWhile traveling on his U.S. tour in support of his latest album, Things That We Drink To, Morgan Evans trusts Southwest® to get him to his next gig. The Australian singer-songwriter is able to easily check his equipment when flying from city to city, and since guitars fly free,* he can bring his beloved instrument onboard with him. Prior to his current tour, Morgan wowed fans with a performance at 35,000 feet. The concert was part of Southwest’s ongoing Live at 35® series, which brings artists onboard for surprise inflight shows. Check out Southwest.fm/live-at-35 to watch the performance. We look forward to watching you rise to new heights with your career, Morgan!   —Maren Kauffman, Communications & Outreach   Crowd-Pleaser “I’m excited to perform my single ‘Day Drunk’ while I’m on tour with Rascal Flatts this summer. It’s a fun song to play in front of crowds because they can really feel the energy.”    Beach Bound “I grew up on the coast [in Australia] and love to surf, so I’m always looking to get back to the coast any chance that I get.”   Offstage “I rack up Rapid Rewards® points traveling for work and use them for vacation. I like to spend time with my wife [Kelsea Ballerini] and disappear for a bit.”     *Musical instruments transported as checked baggage count toward the limit of two free bags, subject to weight and size limitations. One small musical instrument (including guitars) may be transported as a carryon item, subject to overhead or under the seat availability at time of boarding. Any carryon musical instruments will count toward the carryon baggage limit of one piece of carryon baggage and one smaller personal item.   ... View more

Costa Rica is a beautiful Central American country that has a variety of landscapes to offer: mountains, rainforests, and beaches. What more could you ask for? It is a tropical paradise with exotic creatures (monkeys, toucans, and jaguars, oh my), and it’s the perfect destination for adventure seekers, offering the chance to hike volcanoes and zip line through the rainforests. Costa Rica also offers a relaxing getaway with the country’s guiding principle of “pura vida” or pure life. Lie in a hammock or roam through the jungles—either way, you’re set to have a lovely time.     Did we also mention that Southwest offers convenient and affordable nonstop service to San José, Costa Rica from Baltimore, Ft. Lauderdale, and Houston? Here are some of our top picks for a trip of a lifetime to Costa Rica.   Explore Doka Estates Coffee Tour – While sipping your morning cup of coffee, have you ever wondered how it got to your grocery store shelf? Experience the largest coffee plantation in Costa Rica, the culture that surrounds it, the science that explains it, and the history behind it. The fully guided tour includes a tasting of different roasts, a visit to the butterfly and bonsai garden, and roundtrip transportation from San José.   Take it All In Poás Volcano National Park – Poás Volcano is an active volcano and one of the most visited national parks, making it an essential stop for any Costa Rican trip. There, you can see the Laguna Botos cloud forest and lake trail, the crater and hot lake, and a variety of exotic species that roam the park. The main crater is still active with a frequent geyser and lava eruptions. You have to see the magnificence of the 1,600 acres the park covers to believe that it’s real. La Paz Waterfall Gardens – When you think of Costa Rica, this place may come to mind. At La Paz Waterfall Gardens you will see lush rainforest, flowing rivers, beautiful waterfalls, exotic birds, butterflies, monkeys, and more. It also has educational exhibits including the Aviary, Butterfly Observatory, Hummingbird Garden, Serpentarium, Jungle Cats Exhibit, and Frog Exhibit. Bring a camera and comfortable shoes because you’ll want to spend the whole day here!   Let’s Play Rafting (Pacuare) – Adventure is inevitable in Costa Rica and rafting is an easy way to find it. The Pacuare River is one of the top rivers in the world, allowing for rafters to enjoy the sights of a Costa Rican rainforest and the thrill of white water rafting. Most companies that offer tours include transportation from San José and some even include lodging along the river for those eager to experience the river all day and night. For those who don’t want to ride the rapids, the river has fun activities to enjoy including rappelling, zip lining, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing.   What are you waiting for? Book your flight today on www.Southwest.com, and visit Costa Rica The Southwest Way. And be sure to tune in to the Southwest Destinations Custom TV Channel onboard your next WiFi-equipped flight to see the places featured in this post!   ... View more

In February, Southwest Customer Gretchen posted a photo on Instagram sharing how she gave the Southwest pretzels that she saved from a recent flight a “second chance at love.” Her chocolate covered pretzels post inspired us to take our inflight snack offering off the plane and into the kitchen. In the spirit of National Pretzel Day, below are a few of our favorite pretzel recipes to test out with Southwest pretzels after your next flight.     Discretion: Please don’t attempt to create these recipes on your flight. Your neighbor may not want their tray table used as a microwave stand and we don’t want to make other Passengers jealous.   Rolo/M&M Pretzel We love this recipe because it’s a classic and easy to make with very few ingredients. You can never go wrong with caramel and chocolate.   Ingredients: 1 bag of Southwest pretzels 1 small bag of chocolate caramel candies (i.e. Rolos) Milk Chocolate M&Ms (as many as you’d like) Instructions: Place chocolate caramel candies on top of each pretzel on a microwave safe plate. Place in the microwave and set for 20-30 seconds, watching to make sure they don’t melt too much. Once partially melted, press the M&Ms into the chocolate, let cool, and enjoy!     Chocolate Covered Pretzels Anything chocolate covered has our attention. This recipe has ingredients you probably already have at home, plus it’s easy to make!   Ingredients: 1 bag of Southwest pretzels ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 tsp. butter Instructions: Melt butter for 30-45 seconds in a small microwavable bowl. Pour butter over chocolate chips, microwave for one minute, stir, and place back in the microwave for another 30 seconds. Take each pretzel and dip it into the chocolate then place on wax paper. Once all pretzels are dipped, either place in the freezer to cool or eat them on the spot.     Taco Snack Mix Here’s a great recipe for those who don’t have a sweet tooth. It may only have five ingredients, but this one has Texas-sized flavor   Ingredients: 1 bag of Southwest pretzels ¼ cup Chex cereal (wheat) ¼ cup Chex cereal (rice) 1 tsp. butter Sprinkle of taco seasoning Instructions: Mix both cereals and Southwest pretzels and set aside. Melt butter for 30-45 seconds in the microwave then stir in seasoning. Pour over the cereal mix and toss to coat evenly.     Salty and Sweet Popcorn Snack Mix For the perfect combination of salty and sweet, look no further. This snack is great for those seeking some variety and something on the healthier side.   Ingredients: 1 bag of Southwest pretzels 2 cups popcorn ¼ cup almonds 1 bag (69 oz.) of Milk Chocolate M&Ms Instructions: Mix ingredients together and then eat up!     Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels These sweet treats are an airport and mall delicacy so why not make it an at-home delicacy too?   Ingredients: 1 bag of Southwest pretzels ½ tsp. canola oil ¼ tsp. cane sugar Pinch of ground cinnamon Splash of vanilla extract   Instructions: Mix the oil, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Once well combined, pour over the pretzels. When the pretzels are completely covered, put them in the microwave for two minutes. Let cool, take out, stir, and put them in the microwave again. Once all the oil has been absorbed, then your pretzels are ready to be enjoyed.       The next time you hop on a Southwest flight, save your pretzels to try out one of our recipes or even create your own and share it with us using #SouthwestAir and #SWApic. Pretzels are just one of the many offerings we provide complimentary on our flights. At Southwest, we love providing our Customers with drinks to sip on, movies and TV shows to watch, Southwest: The Magazine to read, and snacks to, well, snack on. ... View more

New Orleans is a city full of experiences, all unique to this French-influenced, jazz town. We know that our Customers love exploring a new city and finding the best way to fully experience all that it has to offer. Southwest makes it easy with frequent and affordable nonstop service to 27 cities from New Orleans.     In addition, we did the hard work for you and found the best of New Orleans to take in and enjoy. No matter what type of traveler you are, come explore, play, take it all in, and grab a bite with us.   Explore Oak Alley Plantation – This site resides outside of New Orleans and has more than 200 years of history within its beautiful grounds. On site, you can explore the “Big House” plantation mansion, the sugarcane exhibit, and the Stewart Gardens. There’s something to intrigue anyone! French Quarter – The French Quarter is in the heart of New Orleans, with the brass that echoes day and night, and buildings inspired by architecture from other countries. Lined with iron balcony railings and cobblestone roads, there are plenty of things to do in the historic district. The French Quarter is a great place to explore and wander until something catches your eye—something it is sure to do.   Let’s Play     Frenchman Street – This is where New Orleans jazz truly comes alive. Any local knows that this is the place for live music and a rhythm that won’t stop. Jazz bands play throughout the night at clubs along the street. On weekends there’s even a pop up art market of local artists showcasing their photography, jewelry, and paintings. Bourbon Street – Appropriately named, Bourbon Street promises any visitor to have rowdy, fun-filled night. Bourbon Street is home to the original hurricane cocktail and many more histories that are fun. This is the place to go to let loose, dance, and belt a tune at a karaoke bar.   Take It All In Louis Cathedral – Located on Jackson Square, this major landmark is often crowded with talented street performers and art vendors. St. Louis Cathedral is the best place for photos that paint the picture of your trip to New Orleans. It is the oldest, continuously active cathedral in the United States. St. Louis Cathedral is open to the public, so on your visit, look inside at the stained glass and painted ceilings. The Singing Oak – Stop by this beautiful oak tree planted in the middle of City Park that not only provides you with a break from the Louisiana sun, but also rings out the pentatonic scale. It’s a great way to relax as you stroll through the park or a fun pit stop if you’re in the area after visiting the New Orleans Museum of Art.   Grab a Bite Acme Oyster House – New Orleans is without a doubt a great city for anyone who loves food. You can find authentic Cajun food with fresh crawfish and oysters from the Mississippi River that runs through the city. Acme Oyster House is a well-known, historic restaurant that’s been around since 1910, so you know it’s good. Café Beignet – What is a trip to New Orleans without beignets (pronounced ben-yay)? It’s the perfect fried breakfast treat topped with a mountain of powdered sugar that is the staple of a New Orleans breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. Located on Bourbon Street, Café Beignet features live music and hot coffee anytime of the day, or at least until midnight.   What are you waiting for? Book your flight today on www.Southwest.com, and visit New Orleans The Southwest Way. And be sure to tune in to the Southwest Destinations Custom TV Channel onboard your next WiFi-equipped flight to see the places featured in this post!     ... View more

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is your next relaxing destination to vacation. Known for its beaches and resorts, Cabo has a Caribbean experience made for a memorable beach visit. Cabo offers luxury resorts and restaurants along the fine, white sand beaches, as well as the chance to scuba dive and spot the range of marine life in the deep blue waters. Located on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Cabo is one of Mexico’s top tourist destinations. Cabo also has an exciting nightlife with its own Mexican flair that makes for a trip that truly has it all.     Did we also mention that Southwest offers convenient and affordable nonstop service to Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos to 11 cities including Baltimore, Chicago, and Los Angeles? Here are some of our top picks for a trip of a lifetime to Cabo.   Explore Snorkel at Lover’s Beach – This is your chance to see exotic marine life and enjoy the beach. All you need is some snorkeling gear and a bottomless boat ride out to Pelican’s Rock. As you snorkel and swim near the famous Arch and an array of rock formations along the coast, you may see tropical fish and other beautiful sea life. Let’s Play Monster Ziplines – Feel the arid desert wind on your face as you zip through 300 feet in the air. As you fly, you’ll get an amazing view of desert landscapes and canyons. Friendly staff help you feel ready and safe for the experience ahead. Be sure to get a picture of your experience and have a fun, thrilling time. Migrino ATVs – Ride through the landscapes of Cabo on a single or a double rider ATV for an electrifying excursion. On this two-hour ride, drive through Baja’s desert and mountains, and to finish off your exploration you’ll visit the local home of lizards, snakes, and wildlife. There’s no doubt that the experience will be thrilling the entire time. Take it all in Todos Santos Day Trip – Todos Santos (All Saints) is a town outside of Cabo that gives tourists the opportunity to explore this historic city. Visit the historic Hotel California (no affiliation to The Eagles), considered a little jewel in the middle of the desert. Shop and dine in this quaint little town that offers a more authentic, historic version of Mexico with the chance to buy items made by local artisans and regional sweets. Electric Fat Tire Bikes – Experience Cabo’s beaches in a different way with electric fat tire bikes. Rent them for a couple hours for exploration of the rocky, desert mountains or just have fun and let the bike do the work as you wander through Cabo’s beaches. This is a great laid-back version of traditional bike rides for those who want to see all Cabo has to offer. Grab a Bite Sunset Monalisa – A restaurant with Instagram ready views and dishes, built into a cliff overlooking the ocean and the famous Arch at Land’s End. This is the destination for anyone who wants to fully experience Cabo’s beach views, while enjoying the dynamic menu created by Chef Casiano. A five-star experience all around.     What are you waiting for? Get your beach gear out of storage and get to packing! Book your flight today on www.Southwest.com, and visit Cabo The Southwest Way. And be sure to tune in to the Southwest Destinations Custom TV Channel onboard your next WiFi-equipped flight to see the places featured in this post!   ... View more

While hordes of music lovers make their way to Austin, TX, March 14 for one of the country’s biggest creative conferences of the year, a boutique music festival takes place just 30 miles outside the capital city. Offering a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of downtown Austin, Willie Nelson’s legendary ranch hosts the Luck Reunion—a celebration of old and new that features trailblazers of American roots music and up-and-coming artists following in their footsteps. The event is named for Nelson’s property, which he dubbed “Luck, Texas.”     Our Passion for Music Southwest is excited to return for a third year as the presenting sponsor of Luck Reunion. Through this partnership, we look to connect with our Customers through our shared support of music, as well as create a platform for Artists On The Rise.   For those who would like to enter for a chance to win tickets to this unique event, you can visit Southwest.fm between February 1-22 to enter our VIP Package sweepstakes. This prize includes roundtrip air travel on Southwest for winner and one guest to Austin, hotel accommodations, VIP tickets to the Potluck Dinner on March 13 and to the Luck Reunion festivities on March 14, car service, and Luck merchandise.    Our Music Platform We are also pleased to continue our support of up-and-coming artists through our signature Artists On The Rise program. The program allows talented rising artists to showcase their work for an opportunity to rise to the stage at Southwest music events. For the second year in a row, Southwest: On The Rise to Luck will allow finalists to vie for a chance to play an opening set on the main stage at Luck Reunion in March.   At Southwest.fm, you can also learn more about the artists participating in Southwest: On The Rise to Luck, and later this month, you’ll have a chance to vote for who you want to see perform on the main stage. Artists participating include: Cha Wa from New Orleans Katie Pruitt from Nashville Madison Cunningham from Los Angeles Stay tuned to Southwest.fm for more information, to enter the Get Lucky to Luck sweepstakes, and to check out the Artists On The Rise.   NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to 48 contiguous U.S. and D.C. age 21+. Odds depend on number of entries. See Official Rules and Privacy Policy. ... View more