Southwest Airlines Community

Book it to the slopes! Southwest Airlines serves Hayden/Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN), which offers Customers access to the beauty of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Check out the Southwest Destination: Steamboat Springs video and dive into some of the best things to see, do, and eat in this mountain town!     Let’s play: Steamboat Ski Resort: Enjoy the world-famous Champagne Powder(R) at Steamboat Springs Ski Resort, as well as the Steamboat Springs Gondola. Don’t forget that on Southwest skis and snowboards fly free!* Grab a bite: Enjoy a treat at Lyon’s Corner Drug and Soda Fountain, like delicious ice cream, shakes, and malts, or lunch items like grilled cheese, or a BLT. Aurum Food and Wine boasts seasonal, new American dishes, plus a variety of beer, wine, and cocktails. For a unique dining experience, check out the Yurt Dining in the winter. For a more casual setting, head to Mountain Tap Brewery for wood fired pizzas and locally brewed beer. Go explore: Looking to explore beyond the slopes for Steamboat Springs? Hit the trails and go horseback riding with Del’s Triangle 3 Ranch, which offers year-round adventures. Take it all in: Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs: Soak it all in – literally! – at the Strawberry Park Hot Springs and wind down after a full day. For the easiest way to get to the hot springs, book a ride on The Hot Springs Shuttle.   Inspired to visit Steamboat Springs? Visit Southwest.com to explore our flight schedule and to book your next trip now!     A special thanks to Steamboat Ski and Resort for their recommendations on things to see, do, and eat in Steamboat!      The locations featured in these videos may or may not be currently open, pending local guidelines. Please check local restrictions and safety protocols before planning a trip, and remember to wear a mask.    * Snow ski equipment, including skis or snowboards, ski boots, and ski poles: including one pair of skis or one snowboard, one set of poles, and one pair of ski/snowboard boots encased in a container(s) acceptable to Carrier. When substituting ski equipment for a free bag, Southwest Airlines allows up to two bags (containing one set of snow skis, ski poles, and ski boots) to count as one item, even if they are packed and tagged separately.   Note: Snow ski equipment will not be subject to excess size charges. However, excess weight charges may apply.     ... View more

Miami on your mind? Southwest Airlines serves Miami, Florida, a spot that’s sure to be at the top of your bucket list. Here’s a list of some of our favorite spots to check out during your trip.     Go explore A trip to Miami isn’t complete until you stop by Little Havana, a vibrant community that showcases Latin American art in galleries, delicious Latin-inspired beverages and bites in cafes, and Calle Ocho, the heart of the community and culture in Little Havana.   Cape Florida Lighthouse: This local landmark was built in 1825 to help guide sailors away from the Florida Reef. Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM): Enjoy this museum, which features modern and contemporary art. While you’re there, stop by Verde restaurant, and close out your visit with a trip to the museum gift shop to take home a special memento. Visit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, which were constructed by businessman James Deering from 1914-1922, and feature Round out your sightseeing with a stop at the Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College, which is a contemporary art museum and part of the Miami Dade College.   Let’s play A highlight of any trip to Miami is a day spent at the famous Miami Beach. Soak up the sun and splash in the clear water, and take in the views at South Beach, including bright pastel painted buildings and Art Deco architecture.   Grab a bite CAFÉ LA TROVA, located in Little Havana, features Cuban-styled dishes and specialty cocktails. Craving soul food? Lil Greenhouse Grill, located in historic Overtown, features dishes like smoked BBQ ribs, seafood cakes, and chick n waffles. Sweet Liberty, in the heart of Miami Beach, serves up handcrafted cocktails and funky American dishes, like cauliflower nachos, Maine lobster “hot pocket,” and a corned “beet” reuben. Enjoy a refreshing beverage from the Miami Mojito Company, which is a tiki bar offering up signature mojitos with fresh sugarcane, mint, and lime juice.   Inspired to visit Miami? Visit Southwest.com to explore our flight schedule and to book your next trip now!   The locations featured in these videos may or may not be currently open, pending local guidelines. Please check local restrictions and safety protocols before planning a trip, and remember to wear a mask.     ... View more

Southwest Airlines is giving you a taste of all there is to do in San Diego. While San Diego, California, is known for its spectacular beaches, you’re sure to find culture, food, and fun across the city.         Let’s play: Known as a surfing hotspot, San Diego’s Windansea Beach was once a popular destination for the 1950s beachy teen. The frequented and popular Surf Shack, which sits in the sand on the shore, is a protected historical landmark. Speaking of history, Windansea Beach was the original spot for many of San Diego’s most famous surfers. This location will make you feel right at home with many of the locals that love and respect this surfer’s dream beach. Go explore: Explore San Diego’s historical roots with a visit to Chicano Park. Located in San Diego’s oldest Mexican-American neighborhood, Chicano Park is home to the largest concentration of Chicano murals in the world. Maybe you’ll witness one of the many festivals of music and Aztec dance during your visit to this national landmark or stumble upon San Diego’s infamous Pride Parade at Hillcrest, the center of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community. If you’re looking for some fun, you can visit Old Town. From music, food, and shopping, there’s nothing you can’t find in Old Town. To get away from all the hustle and bustle, Balboa Park can provide the beautiful botanic paradise you’re looking for right in the middle of San Diego. Grab a bite: By now you’re probably hankering for a bite to eat. For some casual sophistication, head to Common Stock where American nostalgia is prepared from scratch and served with genuine hospitality. For baked goods, fresh bread, and aromatic coffee you can head to Bread and Cie located in the Hillcrest area. But, if you’re still not satisfied, Café Coyote can promise the healthy spice of traditional Mexican food to keep your hunger pains at bay. Take it all in: Loved by both locals and visitor La Jolla Cove offers breathtaking sunsets and majestic sea lion spotting which would give any day a magical ending. La Jolla Cove is chock-full of activities for the whole family. There’s ample room to snorkel and discover in the 6,000 acre La Jolla Underwater Park, which includes an Ecological Reserve. If you can’t bear to get your hair wet, kayaking, paddle-boarding, and biking along the shore are all great ways to experience the beauty of La Jolla Cove. Let us know where you end up during your next exciting visit to sunny San Diego! ... View more

Cozumel is home to many spectacular underwater reefs, making it a must-see destination for divers and snorkelers. Read on to learn about some of the places to see and things to do during your visit.   Go Explore No Cozumel trip is complete without an underwater excursion to enjoy the beauty underneath the ocean’s surface. Book a scuba diving adventure with Scuba Life Cozumel.   Let’s Play: Activities for your Trip The Coco Tiki Beach Club offers something for everyone looking to spend a day at the beach. Add beach activities, like parasailing and jet skiing to your itinerary, or enjoy kayaks and banana boat rides. Prefer to spend the day lounging? You can enjoy food and drinks from the comfort of your beach chair.   Grab a Bite: Food to Enjoy Get a taste of the local flavors with the many restaurants in Cozumel. First up, La Cabaña del Pescador, which features fresh seafood, especially delicious lobster.   End your day with a sweet treat from The Key Lime Pie Factory, which offers mini pies in addition to full-sized pies.   Looking for a casual place with great service? Look no further than Taqueria El Gran Sitio, which serves up a variety of tacos at affordable prices.   Take It All In: Sights and Views Pueblo del Maiz is an interactive experience for visitors that gives an overview of the history of the ancient Mayans. During your visit, enjoy performances that include music and dance, and take part in activities, like learning how to grind corn to make tortillas and mix cocoa for chocolate.   ... View more

      This blog was authored by Nicole Brandon, Southwest Flight Attendant.    This year, my daughter Khloe, my husband Paul, and I joined a new family—the Kidd’s Kids family—when we were selected to go on the annual Kidd’s Kids trip to the Walt Disney World® in Orlando. If you aren’t familiar with this organization, Kidd’s Kids, founded by the late radio personality Kidd Kraddick, strives to make a difference in the lives of children and their families and sends them on the trip of a lifetime to the Happiest Place on Earth.   How did we become a member of the Kidd’s Kids family? This past summer, representatives from the Kidd’s Kids organization surprised us after I finished a trip with the news that we had been selected as a family to go on the Kidd’s Kids trip. This was amazing, especially following our daughter Khloe’s leukemia diagnosis in December 2018.   Since finding out that we were going to go on the Kidd’s Kids trip, we counted down the days until departure. We were so excited to have something to look forward to! The Kidd’s Kids trip was a welcome distraction from the doctor visits and medical treatments that have now become a part of our life. We also received such an outpouring of love from fellow co-Hearts and even strangers on social media when our story was posted to Southwest social channels.   The Kidd’s Kids send-off day finally arrived and it was the best celebration! The hangar at Burbank Partners near Love Field was filled with Southwest and Kidd’s Kids volunteers, the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show cast members, and other families who were going on the Kidd’s Kids trip. In total, there were 39 families with 40 Kidd’s Kids who were headed to Orlando on the chartered flight. It was the best send-off, and Khloe, Paul, and I felt celebrated and loved. The Morning Show cast called Khloe’s name and we were cheered down a red carpet as we boarded the flight. We took our seats toward the back of the aircraft and we were on our way!   This trip was one of the most memorable experiences we’ve ever had. While we have been to Disney before, it was especially meaningful to go this year. Without this trip, we would probably not have taken a family vacation due to medical costs and treatments, but thanks to the donations of Kidd Kraddick Morning Show listeners and Southwest Employees, we were able to leave our worries behind and take a trip together as a family. It was the best experience and we are so grateful.   We’ve been a part of the Southwest Family for more than 20 years since I’m a Dallas-based Flight Attendant. I’ve felt the love and support from my Cohearts as we’ve gone through one of the toughest times we’ve had to face as a family. Now, we have the support of the Kidd’s Kids family and we can’t thank Southwest enough for this connection. Before this trip, I had always wanted to volunteer to be on the Crew for the Kidd’s Kids trip. Now that we’ve had this experience, we’ll be paying it forward and helping send another group of families on this once-in-a-lifetime Kidd’s Kids trip. ... View more

The islands of Hawaii offer beautiful sights, a rich culture, and a variety of experiences. Maui, an island that is part of the Hawaii archipelago, shows off its unique flair in many fashions. Maui has the most miles of accessible beach than any other Hawaiian island, with sands of red, black, and white, and is home to the largest dormant volcano in the world.   With plenty of ways to explore, you’ll never run out of things to do. Hawaiian culture is inspired by the landscape that surrounds it, so take a look at how you can see and experience what makes Hawaii and its culture so special.     Let’s Play Sail Trilogy Snorkel Cruise – Hawaii has plenty of sights to offer, but below the ocean surface the sights only get grander. Dive and see honu (Hawaiian sea turtles) and schools of exotic fish, all while being treated to local food and drinks. The crystal clear water of Honolua Bay and Maui’s marine life is sure to take you to a whole new world. Maui Pineapple Tour – Have you ever wondered how pineapples grow? On a tree? In a bush? Learn more about the fruit, and enjoy tastings of the sweet, juicy Maui pineapple. If you’re a spirits fan, you can even add in a tour of a distillery that uses Hawaiian fruits and spring water Maverick Helicopter – Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the island of Maui, the flora and fauna that covers the island, and the blue water that surrounds it. This exhilarating adventure provides a unique view of the island’s volcano, waterfalls, and rainforests.   Take It All In Road to Hana – This famous and beautiful road has beauty and possibility for unplanned excursions around every corner. Stops include towns, surfing lookouts, trails through tall trees, opportunities to see waterfalls, the Garden of Eden Arboretum, and dozens of other adventures waiting at each mile marker. Waianapanapa State Park – Located off Hana highway, this is home to one of Hawaii’s volcanic-sand beaches. The black sand, white waves, caves, and arches are all part of this unique park. Plenty of folklore and history makes for a special place to camp, fish, hike, and sightsee.   Grab a Bite Da Kitchen – This island-style food is not only amazing, but also makes for an Instagram-worthy post. Da Kitchen was established in 1998 and has continued to elevate their food while keeping with the same local and traditional favorites. They have been featured on several food shows and this award-winning restaurant keeps locals and visitors alike coming back for more. So get out, and enjoy the local flavors!   A special thanks to the Maui Visitors Bureau! ... View more

As Southwest Airlines celebrates the one-year anniversary of the Great American Eclipse, we look back on an experience that our Customer, Photographer Jon Carmichael, had onboard one of our special eclipse flights from Portland to St. Louis on August 21, 2017. With his amazing Southwest Crew going above and beyond to help him capture his dream photograph, this memorable flight was etched in Jon’s memory for a lifetime.   ... View more

  Meet Elinor Otto, "America’s Longest Working Rosie the Riveter." Elinor began building aircraft in 1942 during WWII and continued working as a riveter until she retired from Boeing’s Long Beach factory at the age of 95. WWII was transformational in terms of opening the doors to greater advancement for women in the workplace and symbolized by the iconic image of "Rosie the Riveter" with her famous arm salute and the message, "We Can Do It!"ligning with Spirit of 45 Day that honors America’s WWII generation, Southwest recently welcomed the 97-year-old quintessential "Rosie" onboard for a special trip. Elinor flew from Los Angeles to New York City where she announced a national initiative honoring the women who worked alongside her during WWII.   Elinor’s presence at the airport and onboard did not go unnoticed, and she was welcomed with open arms in each Station she visited. Employees waved colorful posters, dressed in "Rosie the Riveter" ensembles, and introduced Elinor’s accomplishments inflight and in the decorated terminals. Customers got into the spirit by writing her notes of gratitude and by cheering her on as she traveled. Upon landing home at LAX, Southwest Employees showed Elinor around the Ramp, the Hangar, and other Southwest facilities where she felt very much at home.   We are honored to share this experience with Elinor, and we thank her for blazing trails in the aviation field for women and more!   ... View more

  This time last week Captain Lou Freeman was making his final descent on a career of 36 years of legendary service to Southwest Airlines. Captain Lou Freeman is more than just a retired Pilot; he is a trailblazer, hero, a mentor, a friend, a leader, a husband, and a father.   Captain Freeman was the first African-American Chief Pilot for any major U.S. airline and has been a huge advocate for encouraging diverse youth to pursue careers in aviation. He was one of Southwest’s original Adopt-A-Pilots where he spent time volunteering in the 5th grade classroom.  He has also mentored and encouraged his fellow Employees to reach their dreams within Southwest Airlines. Captain Freeman is not just a Leader in our industry but within the Community as well. A regular volunteer for Southwest’s Continuing the Legacy in Aviation program, Lou has had the honor of giving back alongside the Tuskegee Airmen in an effort to show the participants that hard work and dedication can help them overcome barriers to achieve their dreams. Captain Freeman was chosen to fly Rosa Parks’ remains to her final resting place and he describes it as one of the greatest honors in his life.   We are so thankful for Captain Freeman’s dedication to and passion for Southwest Airlines. Captain Freeman has overcome barriers and made history throughout his life and has done so with grace and humility. Southwest is honored to have been a part of his journey. Even though he has retired, we know his legacy will live on as he continues to inspire others through his words of wisdom and encouragement.  Thank you, Lou, for sharing this very special day with us! We LUV you! ... View more

On June 12, 2016, a senseless act of violence occurred at Pulse night club in Orlando, FL. Several Southwest Airlines Employees were there at the time, including Orlando Customer Service Agent Angelique Caro, who was shot twice.   One year later, Southwest's Orlando Employees held a memorial at the Station, for the lives lost. Angelique continues to recover from her injuries, but I had a chance to sit down with her in this video. Team MCO—we’re all Orlando Strong, and we’re thinking of you.   ... View more

What started as a Facebook post from DCA Ramp Agent Will Santiago, asking his Fellow Southwest Employees to share photos so he could show his young daughter that awesome women work on the Ramp, turned into an entire day in Baltimore meeting women in aviation. Thanks to everyone at BWI for helping make this day possible and to the women across Southwest Airlines for inspiring the next generation.   Check out Lilly's Day at BWI:     ... View more

  It could be argued that the Broadway musical Hamilton is one of the most exciting, if not magical, shows to debut in New York’s famed Theater District within the last decade. Though, that is only if you were lucky enough to snag a coveted ticket. Luck befell upon a group of talented young artists known as the Get Lit Players. With an invitation from Tony-Award winning actor Daveed Diggs, we provided airfare for the Get Lit Players from Los Angeles to New York for one unforgettable experience. Based in Los Angeles, California, Get Lit – Words Unite is empowering a new generation of poets through the merging of classic and spoken word poetry. For many of the Get Lit Players, a future under the bright lights of Broadway is a dream. It was a dream realized for Daveed, who served as a Get Lit mentor for current mentor Marquesha Babers. After overcoming a life of hardship, Marquesha travelled with her fellow Get Lit Players to see Daveed perform in Hamilton and to show that one’s art, poetry in this case, can be the gas for one’s future. Meet the Get Lit Players and hear Marquesha’s inspiring story!   ... View more