Southwest Airlines Community

When Kevin reached out to share that he built a Southwest-themed flight simulator in his garage, we knew we had to see it!         Kevin fell in love with flying at the early age of eight after his first flight from Rochester, New York, to New York City. Despite his appreciation of aviation, Kevin could not become a Pilot due to his vision. Kevin didn’t let this setback deter him from his passion; instead, he adjusted his flight plan to fly from his home!   It all started 20 years ago with a joystick and a computer screen acting as a flight simulator, and from there, his setup expanded. Kevin soon had to move everything into his garage as his gadgets and displays grew. In his new space, Kevin began assembling his very own flight sim. In 2020, Kevin felt it was time to show his sim some LUV and headed down to the print shop to add the Southwest colors and logo to the exterior of his sim.   Back in December, Kevin invited the Southwest Team to his house to check out his simulator and tell us a bit about its history. After taking off in his simulator from Love Field, he showed us the routes he flies around the DFW metroplex, pointing out many Dallas landmarks. After wrapping up at Kevin’s home, the Southwest Team invited him to the state-of-the-art simulator bay at “our home.”     After meeting with the flight instructor, Kevin flew a route in and out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. He then tried his hand around the Dallas area, a route he often flies in his simulator. Kevin completed the route with ease, a natural pro in the sim. Thank you for spending the day with the Southwest Team, Kevin. We loved seeing your sim, and we hope you enjoyed your time in ours!   Check out more of our adventures at community.southwest.com ... View more

As millions watched the total solar eclipse in awe from the ground earlier today, a lucky group of travelers got to experience the incredible phenomenon at 35,000 feet!      Southwest hosted a unique inflight “Solarbration” with Customers including festive eclipse-themed glasses, napkins, and cosmic cocktails (one per Customer; 21+).       Southwest Solarbration flights that were within the path of the eclipse included:  Southwest Flight #1252: departed Dallas (Love Field) for Pittsburgh    Southwest Flight #1721: departed Austin for Indianapolis    Southwest Flight #1910: departed St. Louis for Houston (Hobby)       Leading up to the eclipse in March, in partnership with Omni Hotels, Southwest Airlines hosted a Solarbration Sweepstakes, awarding two winners an out-of-this-world eclipse experience. The winners and their guests enjoyed a decked-out eclipse-themed Omni Hotel room in the departure cities of Austin and Dallas, then headed to the airport to begin their celestial adventure aboard a Southwest Airlines flight within the eclipse path. For these flights, the glasses, napkins and stir-sticks were provided by Omni and included a luggage tag with special offers.      The whole world was looking up today, and we were over the moon to leverage our place in the sky by extending an opportunity to observe this phenomenon close up on several Southwest flights in the path of totality.    ... View more

Are you ready for the biggest celestial event of the year? On April 8, 2024, the United States will experience a total solar eclipse for the last time until 2044.      In partnership with Omni Hotels & Resorts, Southwest Airlines ® is hosting a Solarbration sweepstakes with the chance for two lucky winners and their guest to receive a total eclipse experience*. Winners will enjoy a prize package that includes air travel on a flight that Southwest Network and Schedule Planners predict will be in the direct path of the eclipse and a stay in an eclipse-themed hotel room. Beginning today through March 11, 2024, consumers can visit www.eclipsesweepstakes.com to enter for a chance to secure their seat for an out-of-this-world experience.     And what’s a Solarbration without some fun-LUVing décor? The winners will stay in an Omni hotel room inspired by the biggest celestial event of the year before and after their flight.     The following flights have been identified as having the greatest likelihood of offering Customers onboard the best view** of the eclipse and are included as sweepstakes prize options:     Southwest Flight #1252: departs Dallas (Love Field) at 12:40 p.m. CDT for Pittsburgh     Southwest Flight #1721: departs Austin at 12:50 p.m. CDT for Indianapolis        * NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.  Open to legal residents of 50 United States and the District of Columbia (excluding Alaska and Rhode Island) age 21 or older at the time of entry. Void where prohibited. Limit one entry per person. All fields must be completed. Approximate retail value of prize: $2,200. For complete details and Official Rules, visit www.eclipsesweepstakes.com. By submitting this entry, you agree to the Official Rules. By entering, information collected will be used in accordance with Sponsor's Privacy Policy at Southwest.com/privacy. Sponsor: Southwest Airlines Co., 2702 Love Field Drive, Dallas, TX 75235. Enter by March 11, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. CT.     **Looking directly at the sun is never recommended, but one can safely observe an eclipse with specialty-rated solar filters provided inflight.     ... View more

Today is Mardi Gras, and as a Company that employs nearly 200 Employees in New Orleans and with Louisiana fans across our Network, we decided to party with Customers on a flight route from Dallas Love Field to New Orleans before they hit the parade route!   Dallas Celebration We had some fun before boarding the flight with Mardi Gras Bingo in the gate area, where the winner was surprised with a year’s worth of Community Coffee, the beloved coffee brand of Louisiana, and our inflight coffee partner. Customers danced their way down a decorated jet bridge to Mardi Gras music and received beads and masks before boarding the flight. A Southwest Pilot even donned a mask for a quick photo before takeoff. Once at altitude, we offered a free drink for all Customers to kick off the weekend.   New Orleans Celebration   The real excitement came when Customers began to deplane and were greeted with a second line, brass band, and Community Coffee gift bags featuring Mardi Gras King Cake specialty coffee, welcoming them to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras!   As the airline with Heart, we always strive to give our Passengers a little lagniappe or “something extra” when they fly with us.  ... View more