Southwest Airlines Community

At the St. Louis Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 8, 2008, Southwest announced our partnership with the Center for Citizen Leadership. Southwest is endowing Fellowships in honor of two Southwest Employees who gave their lives in the current war—Finance Employee and Sergeant Charles B. Kitowski III, U.S. Army, and MCI Provisioning Agent and Sergeant First Class Michael T. Fuga, Army National Guard. The Mission Continues Fellowship program encourages Veterans to carry on their mission of service as they return to their communities by spending time at a service organization in a capacity that matches their skill set.  ... View more

Dave Ridley, our Senior Vice President Marketing and Revenue Management, recapped the changes we have seen over the past year, including the new boarding procedures, Business Select, and the Extreme Gate Makover.  He made the point that we have always been an airline for business travelers by showing some of our commericals from the 1980s.  The results have been encouraging in terms of traffic and perception according to him.  Dave also revealed that the first of four test aircraft equipped with Wi-Fi capability will roll out in December.  Fly-BY was also mentioned, and we have a separate post below. ... View more

Bob Jordan, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Planning, Pete McGlade, Vice President Schedule Planning, and a blog name you all know, Bill Owen explained the history of the Garage-o-Mizer.  As long time blog readers will know, Bill told the story here on the blog.  Interestingly the first two schedule optimizations freed up six additional aircraft each time.  These were aircraft we didn't have to buy for the schedule.  I always find it amazing, that no software companies could offer us a program that would optimize our schedules, and that we had to build it inhouse. If you want to see an outside perspective of today's events, check out Terry Maxon's reports at The Dallas Morning News' "Airline Biz" blog. ... View more

Ginger Hardage, our Senior "Faculty Advisor" (actually Senior VP Communications & Culture) greeted the reporters, and welcomed them to the event.  She was followed by Laura Wright, who briefed the media on Southwest's financial condition in light of the current mess on Wall Street.  She reports that at the current time, we are in a good position. ... View more

Hi everyone, I am blogging from Freedom Hall, here at our Headquarters, which will be the site for today's Media Day event.  We've invited reporters (including a lot of the bloggers you see in our Link LUV section) to come down here to Dallas for a day of presentations from our key Officers, including Gary, and their departments.  Don't worry, this is Southwest Airlines, so the presentations won't be the standard PowerPoint talk.  I'm wired and online, so I will be checking in during the day.  Stay tuned. ... View more

Well, I didn't get back with you as quickly as I wanted, but Blog Boy and all of the Emerging Media Team have left the building (the Las Vegas Convention Center).  We had a great time meeting new and old friends at BlogWorld, and it was amazing to see the videos our three Blog-o-spondent finalists, Ori, Abigail, and Kaci, put together in 24 hours.  The winner was Kaci Beeler, and you will be seeing a lot more of her videos in the year to come. If you want to see all of the finalists' videos, then click here.  Finally, special thanks to my Coworkers, Paula Berg and Christi Day,  for all their hard work in coordinating our participation in BlogWorld.   ... View more

That's right, a large number of the Southwest Blog Team are here in Fabulous Vegas at BlolgWorld.  We are waiting for the event to open so we can introduce the Blog-o-spondent Finalists to the everyone and to give them their final assignment.  Steve Heaser, the voice of Red Belly Radio will be hosting the ceremony, and the finalists have until tomorrow to create their video.  Tune in tommorrow for more info on that. In the meantime, we will be here in Booth 113 meeting  folks and playing some "Blog Games." ... View more

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES ANNOUNCES PLANS TO RESUME LIMITED OPERATIONS TO AND FROM HOUSTON HOBBY BEGINNING TUESDAY, SEPT. 16 Airline Continues to offer Alternatives to Customers Affected by the Storm             DALLAS—Sept. 14, 2008—Southwest Airlines plans to operate a limited schedule to and from Houston Hobby Airport on Tuesday, Sept. 16 and Wednesday, Sept 17. The airline suspended its Houston Hobby operation on Friday, Sept. 12, and plans to remain closed through the close of business Monday, Sept. 15 due to the impact of Hurricane Ike. Since the storm’s passing, the airline continues to focus its attention on ensuring the safety of its Houston Employees and Customers and on assessing the condition of its airport facilities. The airline’s ultimate plans to resume a full schedule in Houston will depend upon the status of airport security personnel and facilities, as well as clear access to the airport and passenger services in the wake of the storm. As a reminder to those Customers planning to travel to or from the area, the Houston Airport System recently announced the curfew in effect for the City of Houston does not apply to Customers or Employees driving or being driven to and from Houston Hobby Airport.  Southwest also continues to operate a limited schedule at Corpus Christi International Airport and Valley International Airport in Harlingen.  Please visit www.southwest.com for specific flight offerings to and from these airports.             Southwest still encourages travelers to contact Southwest Reservations at (800) 435-9792 or look for updated travel advisories at http://www.southwest.com before checking in online for a flight or proceeding to the airport. Customers can also copy and paste the following link into a web browser for direct access to Southwest’s travel advisory page: http://www.southwest.com/content/travel_center/travel_advisory_0040.html?ref= wthr.            Southwest Airlines continues to offer alternative options for those Customers whose travel plans were disrupted by the storm. Southwest Customers holding reservations for travel to and from Austin, Dallas Love Field, or San Antonio from Noon Central Time on Wednesday, Sept. 10, through the close of business Monday, Sept. 15 may change their travel plans and rebook in their original class of service or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying any additional charge. Southwest has extended the dates for Customers holding reservations to or from Corpus Christi, Harlingen, or Houston Hobby through Wednesday, Sept. 17.           Customers holding reservations for a flight that is cancelled to and from Corpus Christi, Dallas Love, Harlingen, or Houston Hobby may request a refund for any unused ticket/travel itinerary.          Southwest Airlines is doing its best to take care of Customers’ air travel needs and to keep Customers and Employees safe in the wake of the storm. The airline invites Customers to visit southwest.com to receive the latest information regarding a flight. Southwest also encourages Ticketless Travel Customers to visit the Travel Center on southwest.com to cancel, change, and/or rebook their flight reservations. All ticketed Customers may contact Reservations (1-800-435-9792) for additional assistance. For specific airport information including number of daily departures and number of Employees, please visit www.swamedia.com.   ... View more

UPDATE: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES REPORTS SERVICE DISRUPTIONS IN CORPUS CHRISTI; HARLINGEN; HOUSTON; AND DALLAS IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE IKE Airline Offers Alternatives to Customers Affected by the Storm and Continues to Closely Monitor its Austin and San Antonio Operations             DALLAS—Sept. 12, 2008—Southwest Airlines suspended its operations to and from Corpus Christi International Airport, Houston Hobby Airport, and Valley International Airport in Harlingen on Friday, Sept. 12, as a result of the predicted severe weather from Hurricane Ike. Southwest Airlines also will suspend its Dallas Love Field operations from 10:30 a.m. CT to 5:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 13 – additional Dallas flights may be cancelled throughout the day depending on the changing weather conditions. The airline’s ultimate plans to resume service to and from Corpus Christi, Harlingen, and Houston will depend upon the status of airport security personnel, facilities, and services after the storm passes. Currently, Southwest flights at Harlingen and Corpus Christi have been cancelled through close of business Saturday, Sept. 13, and Southwest flights at Houston Hobby have been cancelled through close of business Sunday, Sept. 14. Southwest is closely monitoring Hurricane Ike and will announce any additional changes to its operation as the storm progresses.             Southwest strongly encourages travelers to contact Southwest Reservations at (800) 435-9792 or look for updated travel advisories at http://www.southwest.com before checking in online for a flight or proceeding to the airport. Customers can also copy and paste the following link into a web browser for direct access to Southwest’s travel advisory page: http://www.southwest.com/content/travel_center/travel_advisory_0040.html?ref= wthr.             Southwest Airlines Customers holding reservations for travel to and from Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas Love Field, Harlingen, Houston Hobby, or San Antonio from Noon Central Time on Wednesday, Sept. 10, through the close of business Monday, Sept. 15 may change their travel plans and rebook in their original class of service or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying any additional charge. Also, Customers holding reservations for a flight that is cancelled to and from Corpus Christi, Dallas Love, Harlingen, or Houston Hobby may request a refund for any unused ticket/travel itinerary. Southwest Airlines is doing its best to take care of Customers’ air travel needs and to keep Customers and Employees safe during the storm. The airline invites Customers to visit southwest.com to receive the latest information regarding a flight. Southwest also encourages Ticketless Travel Customers to visit the Travel Center on southwest.com to cancel, change, and/or rebook their flight reservations. All ticketed Customers may contact Reservations (1-800-435-9792) for additional assistance. For specific airport information including number of daily departures and number of Employees, please visit www.swamedia.com.   ... View more

DALLAS—Sept. 11, 2008—Southwest Airlines will not operate flights to and from Corpus Christi International Airport and Valley International Airport in Harlingen on Friday, Sept. 12, and Saturday, Sept. 13 as a result of the predicted severe weather from Hurricane Ike. Southwest Airlines also will suspend its Houston Hobby operations at 9:00 a.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 12. The airline’s plans to resume service to and from Corpus Christi, Harlingen, and Houston will depend upon the status of airport security personnel, facilities, and services. Southwest is closely monitoring Hurricane Ike and will announce any additional changes to its operation as the storm progresses.  Southwest strongly encourages travelers to contact Southwest Reservations at (800) 435-9792 or look for updated travel advisories at http://www.southwest.com before checking in online for a flight or proceeding to the airport. Customers can also copy and paste the following link into a web browser for direct access to Southwest’s travel advisory page: http://www.southwest.com/content/travel_center/travel_advisory_0040.html?ref= wthr.  Southwest Airlines Customers holding reservations for travel to and from Austin, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Houston Hobby, or San Antonio from Noon Central Time on Wednesday, Sept. 10, through the close of business Monday, Sept. 15 may change their travel plans and rebook in their original class of service or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying any additional charge. Also, Customers holding reservations for a flight that is cancelled to and from Corpus Christi, Harlingen, or Houston Hobby may request a refund for any unused ticket/travel itinerary.            Southwest Airlines is doing its best to take care of Customers’ air travel needs and to keep Customers and Employees safe during the storm. The airline invites Customers to visit southwest.com to receive the latest information regarding a flight. Southwest also encourages Ticketless Travel Customers to visit the Travel Center on southwest.com to cancel, change, and/or rebook their flight reservations. All ticketed Customers may contact Reservations (1-800-435-9792) for additional assistance. For specific airport information including number of daily departures and number of Employees, please visit www.swamedia.com.  ... View more

DING! Southwest Airlines Celebrates One Year at SFO Airline Offers San Francisco Travelers Special DING! Fare SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines and its San Francisco-based Employees are today celebrating the carrier's first year of resumed service at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). SFO is one of three Bay Area airports Southwest Airlines serves. "Our return to SFO has been a rousing success, and we thank the people of the Bay Area for their support," said Kevin Krone, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Distribution. "We know that our Customers value Southwest for our commitment to low fares, frequent flights, superior Customer Service, and no hidden fees." Southwest Airlines originally served SFO from 1982 to 2001. Southwest returned to San Francisco International Airport on Aug. 26, 2007, with 18 daily nonstop flights to three cities; the carrier's largest new city startup. In one year, Southwest Airlines' service from SFO has grown rapidly. Today, Southwest Airlines offers 37 daily nonstop flights from SFO to five cities: Chicago Midway, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Diego, with direct and connecting service to 46 additional cities across the United States. On Sept. 2, Southwest begins nonstop service between SFO and Denver International Airport, bringing the total number of daily nonstop flights offered by Southwest Airlines out of SFO to 40. Other exciting SFO statistics: -- Since Southwest resumed service, we've grown to nearly 11 percent market share at SFO, as of the first quarter 2008, making us the third largest carrier at SFO based on Origin and Destination passengers. -- Southwest is California's largest carrier with 34 percent overall market share; California's largest intrastate carrier with 70 percent market share; and the Bay Area's largest carrier with 37 percent market share, as of the first quarter 2008 -- Since Southwest returned to SFO (as of the first quarter 2008): -- Between San Diego and SFO, fares fell by eight percent while the number of passengers grew 52 percent, with Southwest's average one-way fare 15 percent below the average fare of other carriers -- Between Las Vegas and SFO, fares fell by ten percent while the number of passengers grew 16 percent, with Southwest's average one-way fare ten percent below the average fare of other carriers. -- The Southwest Effect is alive and well between the Windy City and SFO. When Southwest entered the market, fares to both Chicago airports (O'Hare and Midway) fell by 14 percent while the number of passengers grew 31 percent, with Southwest's average one-way fare 42 percent below the average fare of other carriers. "We believe in giving people the Freedom to Fly, and, as the largest California carrier, we do just that," Krone says. "To celebrate, we are offering our Bay Area Customers special DING! fares." In celebration of its one-year anniversary, Southwest Airlines will offer its SFO Customers special DING! fares. Fares will be available for purchase for one day only between 9 AM and 9 PM on Aug. 26 for flights out of SFO to select markets DING! is the first-ever "direct link" to Customers' computer desktops, delivering discounted fares to a variety of Southwest Airlines destinations. To take advantage of these super low fares, download DING! at http://www.southwest.com/ding/what_is_ding.html In addition to low fares, excellent Customer Service, and frequent flights, Southwest Airlines is proud to Share the Spirit and give back to the communities it serves. Through Mayor Gavin Newsom's Cool Globes Green Initiative and Backpack Giveaway for which Southwest contributed all the school supplies, Southwest supports the passions of its neighbors. Read about the Mayor's Backpack Giveaway event on Aug. 23 from one of our Employee volunteers at http://www.blogsouthwest.com. To find out how else Southwest cares, visit http://www.southwest.com/cares. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest airline in terms ofCustomers carried, currently serves 64 cities in 32 states with more than3,400 flights a day. ... View more

The link will take you to a video that is a parody of airline fees. ... View more