Southwest Airlines Community

PR Week recently interviewed our own Olga Romero about our Hispanic public relations efforts.  Click on the link above to watch. ... View more

"The News Herald" of Panama City Beach has a story about how our Employees gave back to the community at the recent opening of our service to the new Panama City Beach Airport.  Click on the link above. ... View more

Panama City Beach's newpaper, "The News Herald," has a lot of online content about out first flights from our newest destination, Panama City Beach.  Just click on the link above. ... View more

Southwest Airlines Announces Innovative Advertising Airline Splashes Bags Fly Free Messages on its Aircraft and Equipment DALLAS, May 19, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --Southwest Airlines is taking its Bags Fly Free advertising one step further. Over the next six weeks, the airline will decal more than 50 aircraft with the slogan, "Free Bags Fly Here" and an arrow pointing to its Cargo bin. The airline will also tag approximately 1,000 luggage carts across the system with banners that say "I Carry Free Bags." Using its most visible assets--airplanes and ground support equipment--is just another way Southwest is reinforcing its commitment not to charge for Customers' first two checked bags! To see images of the decaled aircraft and luggage carts, click here. To support the new extension of its messaging, Southwest Airlines today brought some of its Employees made famous from the airline's recent television ad campaign to its Headquarters for a photo shoot with the aircraft and airport equipment. The "Rampers" from the spot entitled "Battle Cry," featuring Ramp Agents "revealing" Southwest's Bags Fly Free policy, hammed it up for the cameras in Dallas and talked about how life has changed since the commercials have aired. The Rampers even played an important role at the Company's Annual Shareholder Meeting today. At the meeting, Chairman, President, and CEO Gary Kelly asked the 11 Rampers to help him reiterate Southwest's stance on its baggage policy! See photos here. To view behind-the-scenes video from today's Shareholder meeting and photo shoot, please visit the video gallery at www.swamedia.com. After nearly 39 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, currently serving 68, soon to be 69 cities with the addition of Panama City Beach on May 23, 2010, in 35 states. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit http://www.southwest.com/cares/?src=PREMNASBFFDECALS0100521 to read the One Report. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

Southwest Airlines Declares 135th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend DALLAS, May 19, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --Southwest Airlines' (NYSE: LUV) Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $.0045 per share to Shareholders of record at the close of business on June 9, 2010 on all shares then issued and outstanding. The 135th consecutive dividend will be paid on June 23, 2010. SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

Looking to book a flight using frequent-flier miles? Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards program is the best option, with 99.3 percent of seats available for reward point bookings, according to a new survey. Shorewood airline consulting firm IdeaWorks and ezRez Software Inc., a San Francisco-based travel software provider, teamed to make 6,160 booking queries at the websites of 22 frequent-flier programs during February and March. Travel dates spanned June through October. Read more: The Business Journal of Milwaukee: Southwest soars in frequent flier survey ... View more

The Brands That Travel web site recently spoke with Teresa Laraba, our Senior Vice President of Customer Service, about the following topics:   ·How the Southwest corporate culture has changed over time (2:27) ·The unique way Southwest manages its culture across 68 locations (6:40) ·The reality series "Airline," and the outcome of Southwest's participation (11:01) ·Her opinion on the new DOT 3-hour tarmac regulation (12:39) ·The role social media and real-time communication plays in customer service (14:10) ·Her experiment with assigned seating and the customer reaction (18:17) ·The Traveling Five (20:30) Click on the link above to listen. ... View more

Check out the link above.  The folks at Good Housekeeping Magazine compare the true cost of air travel when all the extras that the other airlines charge are added onto the tab. ... View more

Check out the link above to read what Joe Harris, our Vice President Labor & Employee Relations, has to say about the relationship between Customer Service and Employees. ... View more

DALLAS - April 16, 2010 - Southwest Airlines notified WestJet today of its intent to terminate the agreement to offer connecting service between the United States and Canada with WestJet.  Recently, WestJet requested significant changes to the agreement that the two airlines have had in place since 2008, and WestJet has since reaffirmed and clarified its request.  Southwest cannot agree with the modifications to the confidential agreement.                “We prefer the existing terms of our agreement with WestJet.  Upon reviewing the number of changes that WestJet has requested, we have decided that it is in the best interest of both parties to move forward independently,” said Southwest’s Executive Vice President of Strategy and Planning Bob Jordan.  “We remain interested in exploring the possibility of one day offering service to Canada if it makes sense for Southwest and for our Customers.  That would not rule out future codeshare relationships with Canadian carriers, or flying north of the border ourselves.”     Based in Dallas, Southwest (NYSE: LUV) currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide and is the largest carrier in the United States based on domestic passengers carried.      www.southwest.com   ... View more

Southwest Airlines Will Soon Offer Customers the Ability to Book Unaccompanied Minors (UMs) on Southwest.com DALLAS, April 16, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --On Friday, April 23, Southwest Airlines Customers will have the ability to book Unaccompanied Minors (UMs) on southwest.com! Currently, Customers booking UM travel must complete their transaction and fill out the necessary paperwork once they arrive at the airport. Southwest will soon offer this service via southwest.com - allowing passengers the added convenience of entering their information online and giving them more quality time to spend with their young travelers at the airport before they depart. "We continuously evaluate our UM process to ensure that we deliver the best possible service to our young Customers who are traveling alone," said Teresa Laraba, Southwest's Senior Vice President of Customer Services. "During a recent audit, we identified several opportunities, including the creation of an online booking tool for UMs and an enhancement in the Employee training that comes along with handling our young passengers who are flying solo." Children ages five through 11 traveling without an accompanying Passenger age 12 or older must travel as Unaccompanied Minors (UMs) on Southwest Airlines. Unaccompanied Minors may only travel on nonstop or direct flights. The UM program does not permit direct or connecting flights. In addition to the new online booking feature, parents and guardians should know that the UM service charge will go from $25 to $50 each way, which is still among the lowest in the industry. Even with the increase in service charge, Southwest will continue to absorb some of the cost associated with the extra care necessary to safely transport Unaccompanied Minors. Last year, Southwest implemented a $25 each way service charge, in addition to the fare or Rapid Rewards Award ticket, for Customers who are traveling as an Unaccompanied Minor. The new Unaccompanied Minor service charge will apply to tickets purchased on April 23, 2010, and later. Children traveling on tickets booked before April 23 (even if traveling after that date) will still pay $25 each way at a Southwest ticket counter. "The increase in our UM service charge will help us cover the added costs that come along with safely transporting our youngest travelers, while still allowing us to maintain our competitive Low Fare advantage," said Laraba. For additional information on Southwest's Unaccompanied Minor program, visit the Company's website at southwest.com. After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience, with all leather seats, 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 (Southwest will launch service to Panama City Beach, FL on May 23, 2010). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. ... View more

Who knew that Southwest Airline’s CEO, President, and Chairman, Gary Kelly, is also an artistic genius?  The proof is in the picture below, and it looks like Gary's work is from his "Blue Period."  Okay, Gary, maybe you should keep your day job, but the beauty in this art is the meaning behind its creation.  Gary was one of many Dallasites asked to complete an original work of art on canvas for the Art From the Heart Celebrity Auction and Benefit to be held on Friday April 30.   The event is sponsored by Dallas Challenge, which is a 25-year-old agency that has helped 125,000 youth in trouble to stay in school, off of drugs and alcohol, and out of trouble.  For more information about the event and Dallas Challenge, visit their web site.   Oh, and there is no truth to the rumor that Gary is accepting commissions for future art work. ... View more

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES RESPONDS TO WESTJET COMMENTS IN THE NEWS MEDIA   DALLAS - April 1, 2010- Southwest Airlines learned from media reports this week that WestJet apparently intends to enter into a codeshare agreement with Delta Air Lines.   At about the same time, Southwest learned of a deal by which Delta would transfer slots at LaGuardia Airport in New York to WestJet.  A codeshare between WestJet and Delta, as indicated in media reports, could be inconsistent with the agreement presently in place between Southwest and WestJet. “The Southwest/WestJet project was on target in accordance with a mutually agreed upon timetable,” said Bob Jordan , Southwest’s Executive Vice President of Strategy and Planning.  “However, WestJet in recent weeks requested material and significant changes to our agreement that we could not accept.  We are, and always have been, prepared to move forward to implement our agreement with WestJet.  We have not yet been notified of WestJet’s intent to terminate that agreement.  If we are so notified in order for WestJet to consummate its deal with Delta, Southwest remains very interested in offering our loyal Customers service to Canada via the most efficient means possible.” Based in Dallas , Southwest (NYSE: LUV) currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.    www.southwest.com ... View more

Meetup, tweetup, post, comment, sell! If you think you're having social media management issues, consider the plight of big companies. They're trying to stay connected to customers whose main mode of communication is social networking. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports. A sign on the table of a Ford Motor Co. tweetup. (Courtesy of Scott Monty / Ford Motor Co.) Links PHOTO GALLERY: View Slideshow Ford's Manhattan Tweetup page on Facebook (Login required to see full page) Southwest Airlines' Facebook page (Login required to see full page) Ford Motor Co.'s Scott Monty, at left in pink shirt, hosts a "tweetup" at a Starbucks inside the Empire State Building. Brian Lusk, Southwest Airlines' manager of communications. TEXT OF STORY Kai Ryssdal: Here is a completely random but somehow also completely stunning Internet statistic. The research firm Hitwise reported today that 14 percent of all Internet visits last week went to just two sites. Google.com was one of them. Facebook.com was the other. It actually had more hits than Google did. So you know what that means. It's going to get even harder to keep up with your Facebook page. To say nothing of your Twitter feed, your LinkedIn account and all the rest. But if you think you're having social media management issues, consider the Internet plight of big companies. Desperately trying to stay connected to their customers whose main mode of communication is fast becoming social networking. Marketplace's Stacey Vanek-Smith reports. STACEY VANEK-SMITH: At a Starbucks inside the Empire State building, about a dozen people are seated at a table, sipping coffee and hunched over their smart phones. This is what's known as a tweetup, a get together set-up on social networking site, Twitter. In this case, by Ford Motor Company. Ford truck owner Jack Monson came to the Tweet-up. He's deep in conversation with the other people at the table but nobody's actually talking. JACK MONSON: Actually, we're sitting at the table, and I'm already in touch with them over Twitter. We've already shared a few photos of when some of the folks were speaking at the table, and re-tweeted those photos, and we're actually talking about what the other folks at the table are talking about right now. If that just blew your mind, don't worry. Most of corporate America has no idea what to make of it either. But more and more consumers are going to tweet-ups and Facebook pages and blogs to learn about products. So companies are scrambling to adjust, says Sam Ford. He researches social media at MIT. SAM FORD: Corporate America really hasn't completely caught on to how to deal with that yet. You're telling your story directly to the customer now. That changes the game completely. On sites like Facebook and Twitter, companies have to respond to their customers directly and immediately. They also have to keep people interested, with things like coupons or videos. If they succeed, the payoff can be big. Jake Hurwitz: We're driving the Ford Fiesta around the country... Ford recently launched a social networking campaign around the new Fiesta, which goes on sale later this year. Ford loaned Fiestas to young people all over the country and sent them out on adventures. Ford had them blog, shoot video, and post Twitter and Facebook updates. Hurwitz: We're going to tweet clues about what different cities we're in and the first two people to find us, we're going to take them out to dinner. The result? Thousands of Fiestas have been pre-ordered, sight unseen, and the car has better brand recognition than some Ford models that have been around for years. Scott Monty is the head of new media at Ford. He says it took a while to get the company up to speed. When he first asked Ford's CEO if he'd answer some questions on Twitter... SCOTT MONTY: His immediate response was: Sure, what's Twitter? But Monty says, with successes like the Fiesta campaign, everybody's interested in social media now. MONTY: Suddenly, people internally are really excited about it and see the possibilities. We no longer have to educate and convince. That's true at a lot of companies. And consultant Shel Holtz says people with social media expertise are in demand. SHEL HOLTZ: If you look position descriptions for companies that are hiring in their communications department, their marketing department. They're all looking for social skills. Or teaching them. HOLTZ: It's like my head is spinning, cause I mean, I didn't even know what a blog was five years ago. Brian Lusk manages communications at Southwest Airlines. He's worked there for 15 years. Lusk says social media requires transparency, which can be awkward. When filmmaker Kevin Smith was kicked off of a Southwest flight because he was considered too big for one seat, Southwest got hammered on Facebook, Twitter and its own blog. BRIAN LUSK: I think it shows this is a company that's gutsy enough to post these negative comments. They're going to treat me right, because they're not going to hide behind corporate speak. Ford's Scott Monty says companies are still trying to deal with being so exposed, and they'll make mistakes. But the effort is crucial... MONTY: We subscribe to the Woody Allen theory of social media -- 90 percent of social media is just showing up. But Monty jokes, the other 10 percent is half the battle. If companies are smart with social media, they can build new types of relationships with consumers, and if they get it wrong, it's going to be all over Facebook. I'm Stacey Vanek-Smith for Marketplace. ... View more

Oakland International Airport ’s Terminal 2 Awarded Prestigious LEED® Green Building Silver Certification   First Airport Passenger Terminal in the U.S. to be Awarded LEED “Silver,” Saving Energy, Reducing Waste, and Protecting the Environment     Oakland, Calif. (March 17, 2010) – The Port of Oakland announced today that Terminal 2 at Oakland International Airport (OAK) has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. OAK received Silver recognition for its environmental leadership in extending and renovating Terminal 2, the first airport passenger terminal in the U.S. to receive the “Silver” level of this prestigious award.   The LEED rating system was developed to encourage and facilitate the development of more sustainable buildings, which meet certain environmental or “green” criteria. OAK’s Terminal 2 extension and renovation, completed in 2007, achieved LEED Silver Certification for conserving energy, material, and water; and incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using fewer resources, LEED certified buildings save money; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.   Port of Oakland Board President Victor Uno praised former Port Commissioners who, in 2000, put in motion the Port’s current culture of sustainability. He explained, “Their forward-thinking approach to environmental stewardship, economic vitality and social responsibility led us to where we are today, and will continue to shape our organization’s sustainability efforts for years to come.”    According to Port of Oakland Executive Director Omar Benjamin , “The Port of Oakland’s environmental leadership is exemplified through this prestigious award. Our investment in state-of-the-art green building practices will result in long-term savings of energy, water, and operating costs that will continue throughout the life of Terminal 2. Additionally, our community is benefitting as we are reducing the airport’s operational impact on the environment.”   “Achieving LEED Silver Certification was not an easy process, as it took many years of planning and follow-up by a team of Port employees, tenants and partners. The fact that Oakland International Airport has the first passenger terminal to receive the Silver level of recognition is a testament to this,” said the Port’s Acting Director of Aviation Deborah Ale Flint. “It takes a minimum of 33 credits to achieve LEED Silver Certification, and we earned every one of these through a committed team of people who were intentionally focused and driven by their motivation to protect the environment,” she continued.   "The Port of Oakland ’s LEED Silver certification for its Terminal 2 Project at Oakland International Airport is an accomplishment that the entire community can be proud of, and an outstanding example of how green building practices make the most sense economically and environmentally," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "By carrying the commitments made in the Port's sustainability policies to the design and construction of Terminal 2, the project team has delivered a building that will yield benefits to the environment, the local community, and the Port's bottom line over the life of the facility."   LEED Silver Certification of OAK’s Terminal 2 extension and renovation was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:   Q  Energy efficiency measures that exceed California energy standards by 25% and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 211 tons per year. Q  Diversion from landfills of more than 80% of jobsite waste, by recycling or reusing scrap drywall, metal, plywood, carpet, and other materials. Q  Water conservation measures yielding 24% less water use than in a similar conventional building. Q  Selection of paint, carpet, glue, cabinetry, and plywood products that emit few or no volatile organic compounds, or VOCs--the stuff that gives paint that strong smell--and are therefore better for the environment and our traveling public than conventional products. Q  An advanced stormwater treatment system that channels runoff into plant-filled ditches, or swales, providing a natural filtering system that removes pollutants before the water reaches the San Francisco Bay . Q  Innovations such as a “Green Housekeeping” program to reduce environmental and health impacts of cleaning products and chemicals used in the terminals.   OAK’s Terminal 2 project, completed in spring 2007, added 108,000 square feet on two levels, including a new seven-gate concourse (net five boarding gates); expanded ticketing and passenger screening areas; centralized food, beverage and retail shopping areas; a new airport operations dispatch center; and a state-of-the-art mechanical building. Additionally, a new 27,000 square feet baggage claim building, and an in-line explosive detection baggage screening building were opened in summer 2006.   Southwest Airlines, OAK’s largest air carrier, operates exclusively from Terminal 2. Turner Construction, the largest builder of green buildings in the nation, was the prime builder for Terminal 2.   Port of Oakland/Oakland International Airport The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S. ; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport and fourth largest airport in California , offering over 140 daily flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland . Visit portofoakland.com and oaklandairport.com.   U.S. Green Building Council The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 20,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 100,000 LEED Accredited Professionals, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to soar to $60 billion by 2010. The USGBC leads a diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students. Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO 2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.   LEED The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings.  35,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED system, comprising over 5.6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 91 countries. By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community. Visit usgbc.org.   ... View more

Southwest Airlines Celebrates 25 Years of 'LUV' in Chicago DALLAS, March 17, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Southwest Airlines today is celebrating the carrier's 25th Anniversary of service at Chicago Midway International Airport. To commemorate the occasion, Southwest is celebrating with its Employees and Customers at the Chicago Midway International Airport, complete with the Pipes and Drums of the Chicago Police Department band, decorations, games, prizes, and a media event. Media Event Details: When: Wednesday, March 17 at 11 a.m. CDT Where: Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter, Chicago Midway International Airport What: Officials from Southwest Airlines and Chicago Midway International Airport will give remarks, followed by a presentation from Southwest to the Airport.   "Southwest Airlines has been bringing our wonderful brand of low fares and legendary Customer Service to the Windy City for 25 years," said Southwest's Chicago Midway Station Leader James Story. "We have a lot of people to thank for that, including our hard-working local Employees, our loyal Customers, the city of Chicago, and our friends at the Chicago Midway International Airport who have all been excellent partners and very supportive of our growth and service over the years." "We are pleased to celebrate a 25-year partnership between Southwest Airlines and Midway International Airport," said Rosemarie S. Andolino, Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Aviation. "Midway's success as the premier point-to-point, mid-size airport in the country would not be possible without Southwest's commitment to the City of Chicago and its passengers." Southwest Employees are also celebrating the 25th Anniversary in Chicago by becoming "blanketeers" for the day and creating dozens of blankets to donate to Project Linus, a nonprofit organization "that provides love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans." The airline's Employees proudly Share the Spirit through volunteering in the communities where they work and live. Southwest Airlines launched service at Chicago Midway on March 17, 1985, with eight daily nonstop flights to St. Louis, which is also celebrating its 25th Anniversary today. Southwest is the largest carrier at Chicago Midway, and the third largest carrier in Chicago, with 198 daily flights to 50 nonstop destinations, as of March 2010. Chicago was the 21st city to join Southwest's system, and is now the second busiest city in the airline's 68-city network. Southwest is the Low-Fare Leader out of Chicago with an average one-way fare of $115 (as of the third quarter of 2009). After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the 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 (Southwest will begin service to Panama City Beach, Florida, on May 23). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

Southwest Airlines Celebrates 25 Years of 'LUV' in St. Louis DALLAS, March 17, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Southwest Airlines today is celebrating the carrier's 25th Anniversary of service at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. To commemorate the occasion, Southwest is celebrating with its Employees and Customers at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, complete with live music, decorations, games, prizes, and a media event. Media Event Details: When: Wednesday, March 17 at 12 p.m. CDT Where: Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter What: Officials from Southwest Airlines and Lambert-St. Louis International Airport will give remarks. The St. Louis Fire Department will pay a tribute to Southwest's Anniversary with a water arch salute at 12:35 p.m. CDT "Southwest Airlines is committed to St. Louis, and we are continuing to grow our footprint in the Gateway City 25 years after launching service," said Southwest's Senior Director of Ground Operations Anne Naylor. "We'd like to thank our hardworking local Employees, our loyal Customers, the city of St. Louis, and our friends at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, who have all been excellent partners and very supportive of our growth and service over the years." "We are thrilled that Southwest has steadily grown their operation in St. Louis," said Lambert Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge. "We value their commitment to the St. Louis region and look forward to even more service additions to new and existing destinations later this spring." Southwest Employees are also celebrating the 25th Anniversary in St. Louis by spending time beautifying the grounds both at the Saint Louis Zoo and the Missouri Botanical Garden this week. The airline's Employees proudly Share the Spirit through volunteering in the communities where they work and live. Southwest Airlines launched service into St. Louis on March 17, 1985, with 17 daily nonstop flights to four cities. Today, Southwest is the second largest carrier in terms of daily departures at St. Louis with 70 flights to 25 nonstop destinations, as of March 2010. With new nonstop service to Nashville, New Orleans, Raleigh-Durham (RDU), San Diego, Seattle/Tacoma, and Los Angeles (LAX) starting on May 9, Southwest will be the largest carrier at St. Louis with 83 daily flights to 31 nonstop destinations. Southwest is the preferred airline for St. Louis Customers, with a greater market share (35 percent) than any other carrier as of the third quarter of 2009. St. Louis was the 22nd city to join the Southwest system and is now the 16th busiest city in the airline's 68-city network. Southwest is the Low-Fare Leader out of St. Louis with an average one-way fare of $112 in the third quarter of 2009, 23 percent lower than all other airlines combined. After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the 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 (Southwest will begin service to Panama City Beach, Florida, on May 23). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide. www.southwest.com SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more

Southwest Airlines and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Open Travel Program for College Students LANZATE TAKES OFF! DALLAS, March 16, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Southwest Airlines, in conjunction with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), announced today the opening of "Dandole Alas a Tu Exito/Giving Flight to Your Success," its annual education travel award program. Online applications will be accepted through April 30, 2010, at www.hacu.net. A panel of judges comprised of college professors and education advocates from coast to coast will gather this summer to select students who will receive free travel to their colleges and universities. Each student is eligible to receive between one and four tickets for use by the student or immediate family to travel to/from a college or university. The tickets are awarded to undergraduate and graduate Hispanic students with socio-economic needs who journey away from home to pursue higher education. All of the participants must submit an essay explaining why they deserve the travel award and what inspires them to pursue a college degree. To view the criteria for the 2010 award program, please visit: http://www.hacu.net/images/hacu/development/Lanzate/2010Criteria.pdf "HACU's partnership with Southwest Airlines Lanzate Award has provided hundreds of students with travel over the past six years," said Antonio R. Flores, HACU President and CEO. "For students who left home to pursue a higher education, a visit with family often is the tipping point for success. HACU is proud to partner with Southwest Airlines to help so many students on their educational journey." With more than 1,500 applicants in the last five years, this is a successful educational program that serves underprivileged students, providing free travel for them and their families to maximize their potential and create opportunities for growth. "The Lanzate/Take Off travel award provides travel to students who, for example, might not get to go home during Christmas break. It can also give parents an opportunity to see their kids through their proudest moments, like moving into a dorm or graduation day," said Christine Ortega, Southwest Airlines Community Affairs & Grassroots Manager. "This contact removes barriers and gives each student more confidence to pursue the dream of higher education without worrying about economic hardships." HACU, which has its national headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, represents approximately 450 colleges and universities, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), which collectively serve more than two-thirds of all Hispanic higher education students in the United States and Puerto Rico. HACU's international membership includes leading higher education institutions in Latin America and Europe. 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 domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 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 SOURCE Southwest Airlines ... View more