Southwest Airlines Community

Last month, the Colorado Avalanche traded in the rink for the runway to team up with Southwest Airlines Denver-based Employees at Denver International Airport. As The Official Airline of the Avalanche, we invited Mikko Rantanen, Jack Johnson, and Bernie the St. Bernard to see if they have what it takes to run one of Denver’s largest airlines. The trio scored a hat trick during their time on the ramp, in the Flight Deck, and at the gate!   Colorado Avalanche hockey player, Mikko Rantanen and Southwest Ground Operations Employees marshaling an aircraft   The first goal came from the Team’s time on the ramp! Rantanen, Johnson, and Bernie marshaled in an aircraft to the gate with assistance from Southwest’s Ground Ops Team and helped to unload bags from the aircraft.   Colorado Avalanche hockey player, Jack Johnson, helping Southwest Ground Operations EmployeesAfter success on the ramp, it was time to head to the Flight Deck! The trio learned a bit about Southwest’s Legendary Hospitality from our Pilots and Flight Attendants.   Colorado Avalanche Jack Johnson, Bernie the St. Bernard, and Mikko Rantanen in the flight deckFinally, the Team Surprised & Delighted Customers in the gate area. Bernie and the Avs players broke the ice by taking photos in the gate area with Customers. Then, they made gate announcements, scanned Customers’ boarding passes, and even gave a few autographs as they boarded their flight to Los Angeles.   Colorado Avalanche Jack Johnson, Bernie the St. Bernard, and Mikko Rantanen Surprising & Delighting Customers at Denver International AirportThis hat trick wasn’t possible without our Denver-based Employees and Flight Crew as well as our partners at the Colorado Avalanche and Denver International Airport. After a win at the airport, we can’t wait to watch Rantanen, Johnson, and Bernie on the ice during the playoffs!   Colorado Avalanche Jack Johnson, Bernie the St. Bernard, and Mikko Rantanen with Southwest Denver-based EmployeesSouthwest Airlines is proud to be The Official Airline of the Colorado Avalanche and serves Customers in the Mile High City with more than 300 flights to nearly 100 cities. Hurry and book your next trip on Southwest.com as you never know who you may see on your flight! ... View more

Southwest Airlines is thrilled to be The Official Airline of the San Jose Sharks, connecting Customers in the San Jose community to what’s important in their lives. Southwest is proudly the largest carrier at San José Mineta International Airport (SJC), offering up to 97 departures a day to 27 cities, with several daily flights to California, Hawaii, and Nevada.   Sharks hockey players, William Eklund, Nico Sturm, and Mackenzie Blackwood try their hand at running airline operation; photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks Aloha Days In celebration of this partnership, Southwest and the San Jose Sharks teamed up to Surprise & Delight Customers and Sharks fans with Aloha Shirts leading up to Southwest’s “Summer in January” themed night at the Sharks game held on Jan. 20. Lucky Southwest Customers were given Aloha Shirts as they boarded a flight headed from SJC to Honolulu (HNL), as a way to celebrate our nonstop service from SJC to HNL and get Customers excited for the upcoming Sharks game. Additionally, Sharks fans at the Jan. 20 game were also Surprised & Delighted with the same Aloha Shirts to wear at the game and show off their Sharks and Southwest spirit!       Trading Places Last week, the two teams came back together for a fin-tastic event! Sharks players Nico Sturm, William Eklund, Mackenzie Blackwood, and beloved mascot S.J. Sharkie, traded the ice rink for the ramp as they tried their hand at learning what it takes to run the airline operation at SJC.   S.J. Sharkie marshalling aircraft; photo courtesy of SJC Ramp Supervisor, Mike P. Sharks players and S.J. Sharkie “traded places with our Southwest SJC Pros” and started their shift on the tarmac with our Ramp Agents, learning the ropes on how to marshal in an aircraft as well as how to handle and sort bags. They then worked their way up to the aircraft, learning from our Pilots and Flight Attendants. When it came time to board, the team Surprised & Delighted Southwest’s Employees and Customers in the gate area taking photos, making gate announcements, and helping Customers board the aircraft by scanning boarding passes.   Sharks hockey player, William Eklund, and S.J. Sharkie loading baggage; photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks   Southwest Captain Curtis H. and Sharks hockey player, Nico Sturm, in flight deck Sharks hockey players, William Eklund and Mackenzie Blackwood making gate announcements; photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks A special thanks to all our San Jose Employees and Flight Crew as well as our airport partners at SJC for making this nothing short of an All-Star Performance! While Sturm, Eklund, Blackwood, and S.J. Sharkie are returning to the ice rink, they will always be welcomed back anytime as honorary Southwest Employees.   Southwest’s San Jose All-Star Ground Ops Employees and Sharks hockey players, William Eklund, Nico Sturm, and Mackenzie Blackwood on the ramp; photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks   ... View more