Southwest Airlines Community

In the other Big Game we will watch two iconic Teams, Team Ruff and Team Fluff, take on the gridiron for Puppy Bowl XX.        Each year, Puppy Bowl brings some of the most adorable dogs together for this fun show that also serves the important purpose of sharing stories of animal adoption and highlighting animal shelters and rescue organizations across the country.   This season, we had the opportunity to play a small part in this year’s event as we transported a V-I-Pup, Beignet, to participate in this year’s Puppy Bowl XX. Beignet is a cute Dachshund Mix, representing Take Paws Rescue in New Orleans (where he was adopted and now lives with his fur-ever family).     In preparation for Puppy Bowl, Southwest Airlines, Animal Planet, and Beignet and his friends from Take Paws Rescue surprised  Customers with a Pup Rally at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Customers in the gate area getting ready to board a Las Vegas-bound flight enjoyed Puppy Bowl trivia in the gate area (with PAWsome t-shirts for prizes), as well as puppy cuddles from Beignet and his furry friends (which was an exception made by the airport and Southwest for this promotional event).     The Southwest Employees in New Orleans went above and beyond to make the Pup Rally memorable with gate decorations and photo opportunities. Customers boarded the flight through a decorated jetbridge that included Puppy Bowl posters and were given Puppy Bowl beanies as a memento of the fun flight.       This February, we've got all the Big Game action. Customers can tune in to a dog-gone good time with the Puppy Bowl On Demand TV series on our Inflight Entertainment Portal, which features past Puppy Bowl favorites, including last year's game “Puppy Bowl XIX,” “Puppy Bowl Presents: Dog Bowl All Stars,” and “Journey to Puppy Bowl,” which follows puppies as they travel to compete in the Puppy Bowl. Not flying on Sunday, Feb. 11? Watch Puppy Bowl XX at 2 p.m. ET on Animal Planet. Learn more about the big game at PuppyBowl.com and join in on the fun on social media with #PuppyBowl.     ... View more

Mother’s Day is a special day for us to celebrate and thank all of our mothers and mother figures who’ve played important roles in our lives. At Southwest Airlines ®  we believe in connecting people to the moments that matter most in their lives, so we’re excited to share this story that is near and dear to our Heart.   On July 23, 2022, Southwest ® made history with its first mother/daughter Pilot duo, Captain Holly Petitt and First Officer Keely Petitt, when they flew Flight #3658 from Denver to St. Louis. We featured their story on several of our channels, including a TikTok with the song “Got It From My Mama” by Dani Rose of Honey County playing in the background. Dani saw the reel using her song and reached out to Southwest to say thank you and explore opportunities to partner. After seeing all the love from Southwest social fans, we jumped at the opportunity to have some fun with Honey County’s song on Mother’s Day.         This past Tuesday, May 9, in honor of Mother’s Day, Southwest took this story to new heights, literally, with a Live at 35 ® performance from Honey County. But of course, a Mother’s Day concert with a song inspired by a mother would not be complete without a full-circle moment.  To further honor mothers and mother figures, Southwest’s first-ever mother/daughter Pilot duo, Captain Holly Petitt and First Officer Keely Petitt, piloted the flight for Honey County's Live at 35 performance flying the plane from Nashville (BNA) to New York (LGA)!     A Live at 35 is a one-of-a-kind performance featuring artists at 35,000 feet. These concerts in the sky feature artists of all levels, including those who are On The Rise. Through our ongoing On The Rise program, we offer those in creative spaces a lift as they reach new heights in their careers and achieve their goals. Visit Southwest.fm to learn more about music at Southwest and to watch Live at 35 performances.     Ahead of the flight, Southwest and Dani of Honey County celebrated Mother’s Day with Southwest Employees and Customers in the gate area at Nashville International Airport gate. Employees and Customers had the opportunity to jam out to Honey County’s “Got It From My Mama” song and even learned her trending TikTok dance to participate in videos for her channels. It was an amazing event and we’re super thankful for Honey County, Holly and Keely Pettit, and our wonderful Employees at Nashville International Airport who made this possible.     I hope it was a happy Mother’s Day for all the mothers and mother figures. I would, of course, be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge my own mother—as Honey County sings it best, “Everything good in me, I got it from my mama.” ... View more

Southwest Airlines ® is celebrating Valentine’s Day all month long. As the LUV airline, with a Heart as its logo, we are giving our Employees and Customers ample opportunities to celebrate.   “We are the airline with Heart, and we love to celebrate the moments and people that matter in our Employees’ and Customers’ lives,” said Whitney Eichinger, Senior Vice President Culture & Communications for Southwest Airlines. “Whether that be giving the gift of travel, helping Customers earn Rapid Rewards points with flowers and wine, or even bringing that extra added touch at the airports and inflight, we’re here to celebrate this holiday all month long.”      Earn Points While Shopping for that Special Someone Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and Southwest ® is giving its Rapid Rewards ® Members a little something extra while shopping for that special someone. Visit Southwest.com to view full offers and terms & conditions.   1-800-Flowers ® : Stop and smell the rewards—Earn 1,500 Rapid Rewards bonus points. Earn on orders of $34.99 or more* from 1-800-Flowers with promo code SW17. (Minimum purchase $34.99. Limit 5 per Customer and code.) Laithwaites: Raise a toast to 3,000 bonus points. Fall in love with six top-rated wines—plus two BONUS bottles of Rosé Prosecco and two glasses—ONLY $49.99 with free shipping. Rapid Rewards Dining ® : Hungry for 1,000 bonus points? Join Rapid Rewards Dining, dine at a participating restaurant, complete an online review, and earn 1,000 bonus points. Existing Members, savor even more rewards. Members who opt-in for emails from Rapid Rewards Dining earn 3X Rapid Rewards points per dollar at participating restaurants and bars. Harry & David ® : Appeteasers for a love-filled day. Get 1,500 bonus points for every order of $29.99 or more at Harry & David with promo code SW44. Rapid Rewards Shopping ® : Get them what they want, what they really, really want. Turn purchases into points when you shop at over 850+ online stores through Rapid Rewards Shopping.   Southwest super-fans can purchase their Valentine’s Day merchandise at Southwest the Store.   Plan a Romantic Getaway Whether planning a staycation or vacation, Rapid Rewards Members can earn additional points on hotels, rental cars, and more! Visit Southwest.com to view full offers and terms & conditions.   Hotels: This will woo you—double your points overnight. Earn 2 points per $1 spent on select rooms booked before Feb. 28, 2023, and checking out on or before Sept. 11, 2023. Rental Cars: Accelerate your romantic getaway with up to 2,400 points. Earn up to 2,400 bonus points and save up to 30% when you rent a car from Budget. Offer is valid through Feb. 28, 2023, on qualifying rentals at participating Budget airport locations in the United States.   Exclusive Getaway Events for Southwest Rapid Rewards™ Credit Cardmembers While earning points is fun, so is spending them! Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers can redeem their Rapid Rewards points for exclusive Rapid Rewards Access Events, giving them access to intimate concerts and packages such as wine tasting, destination getaways, and more! Visit Southwest.com/RRAE to learn more.   Miami Beach VIP Getaway: Feb. 26 – March 1 Private Concert with American Authors: March 15 in San Diego, Calif. VIP Costa Rica Experience: April 20 – April 23 VIP Kiawah Island Golf Resort ® : May 21 – May 23 in Kiawah Island, S.C.   Free Drink on Valentine’s Day and Romance Movies Onboard LUV is in the air, literally! Celebrate Valentine’s Day all month with romcom favorites picked by Southwest’s Flight Attendants on the Inflight Entertainment Portal. On Valentine’s Day, Customers 21 years of age and older can also enjoy one free premium drink, including the new ready-to-drink coffee beverage, onboard their flight (limit one per Customer while supplies last).   “Romance our Flight Attendants Love” movie collection on the Inflight Entertainment Portal:   50 First Dates Crazy Rich Asians Crazy, Stupid, Love Dirty Dancing Love & Basketball Mamma Mia! Me Before You P.S. I Love You The Notebook Ticket to Paradise When Harry Met Sally You've Got Mail   Celebrate with Southwest Employees Southwest celebrates the love holiday with its Employees and Customers. Employees are encouraged to plan local celebrations and are provided with a number of resources available through its internal Celebrate with Heart program. Resources include station decorations, photo frames, props, and much more as a way to engage Employees across the Company.   Valentine’s Day is a signature holiday at Southwest Airlines and another opportunity to elevate how we share our Heart and Hospitality with Customers and Cohearts. From Feb. 1 through Feb. 14, uniformed Employees are encouraged to wear Valentine’s-themed accessories with their full regulation uniform to help create a lighthearted and welcoming environment. To help set the mood on the aircraft and make a memorable travel experience for our Customers, Flight Attendants don festive holiday accessories like ties, aprons, nail art/color, scarves, socks, jewelry, headbands, barrettes, and clips. ... View more

Looking for the perfect springtime getaway? Whether you’re dreaming of a sunny beach or a mountain adventure, Southwest Airlines is here to connect you with your next vacation.   Before you buy that ticket and pack your bags, here are some things you’ll want to consider to make the most of your trip:   Select the right destination for your needs. Southwest continues adding more service and access to our network of 121 destinations across the United States, Caribbean, and Latin America. Check the Low Fare Calendar on Southwest.com to get the best flight deals. Think about what day of the week to schedule your departure. In case of last-minute change of plans or emergencies, you can book your flight with confidence knowing Southwest offers flexible policies including bags that fly free ® , 1 no change or cancellation fees, 2 Rapid Rewards ® points that don’t expire, 33 and flight credits that don’t expire. 4 If you have kids, Southwest’s offers flexible open seating and pre-boarding options, as well as free inflight entertainment 5 with family-friendly favorites. Book your airport parking online for ease and convenience.   To make the most of your trip and get the best value, it’s essential to travel smart and plan ahead. So, whether you’re planning a spring break with the kids, a solo trip, or a couples getaway, Southwest is ready to serve our Customers with Heart.   See you onboard soon!     1 First and second checked bags. Weight and size limits apply. 2 Failure to cancel a reservation at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure may result in forfeited travel funds. 3 Rapid Rewards points do not expire. Should a Member close their account, the points in the account will be terminated. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply and can be found at Southwest.com/rrterms. 4 Flight credits for non-refundable fares are issued as long as the reservation is canceled more than 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Flight credits unexpired on, or created on or after July 28, 2022, do not expire and will show an expiration date (Dec. 31, 2040) until systems are updated. A flight credit with an expiration date on or before July 27, 2022, has expired in accordance with its existing expiration date. See My Account for flight credit expiration dates, if any. 5 Due to licensing restrictions on WiFi-enabled international flights, free live TV may not be available for the full duration of the flight. ... View more

At Southwest Airlines, we believe in delivering world-class Hospitality. That’s why we teamed up with Tiff's Treats founders, Tiffany and Leon Chen, to Surprise & Delight Customers with sweet treats onboard a flight from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).     Passengers onboard received a minibox of Tiff’s Treats, a copy of Tiffany and Leon's best-selling book, "It's Not Just Cookies," and coupons for their next treat that were all bundled together in a perfect mini-tote.     The fun didn’t stop there. Once the flight landed in Atlanta, the founders and Southwest Employees went the extra mile and treated Customers in the terminal by handing out more than 100 dozen cookies. That’s a lot of cookies!     The celebration commemorated Tiff's Treats Treat Week which offered daily free treats for Atlantans wanting to celebrate someone special in their lives with a dozen warm cookies. This all ladders up to Southwest's purpose of connecting its Customers to the people and places that matter most in their lives, while delivering its legendary Hospitality. Surprise & Delight events are core to Southwest and are one of the ways that we create memorable experiences for our Customers. We loved being able to team up with the amazing folks at Tiff’s Treats, creating sweet memories for our Customers. Stay tuned, as you never know who or what will be on your next Southwest flight! Book your travel today by visiting Southwest.com. ... View more

It’s our 50 th Anniversary and Southwest Airlines has lots to celebrate. In honor of our 50 th Anniversary, Southwest partnered with Build-A-Bear Workshop ® to create a Retro Hostess Build-A-Bear, exclusively sold at Southwest: The Store! Beginning today, May 17, Southwest fans of all ages and collectors alike can purchase their bear online at www.swathestore.com!   Taking a trip down memory lane, the official Build-A-Bear furry friend commemorates the original Southwest Airlines’ Hostesses, now called Flight Attendants, in an iconic orange, white, and red outfit, reminiscent of the Hot Pants uniform of the early days.       This new bear is the fourth in a series of Build-A-Bear plush available exclusively at Southwest: The Store.    Join us in celebrating 50 years—check out southwest.com/50 for stories from Southwest’s history and then share stories and photos from your own travel journeys on social media using #Southwest50.   About the Retro Hostess Build-A-Bear Official Build-A-Bear Workshop bear with Build-A-Bear logo  Commemorative gold Southwest 50 th Anniversary treatment and tagline embroidery details on paws 15.5” tall  Iconic outfit modeled after Southwest Airlines Hostess Hot Pants uniform from the 1970s  Vinyl belt and go-go boots, with replica scarf  Great for Southwest fans of all ages and collectors   Retails for $25.00 plus tax/shipping   Part of a series, including:  Build-A-Bear Pilot  Build-A-Bear Flight Attendant  Build-A-Bear Ramper        Southwest: The Store will release additional items in the 50 th Anniversary collection, including our retro merchandise, throughout 2021 to commemorate Southwest’s golden year.  ... View more

Winter travel is just around the corner and Southwest Airlines is here to get you where you need to go. Whether your perfect winter get away is hitting the slopes, hiking the desert, or laying on the beach, Southwest is ready to take you on your next adventure with our latest WOW Sale, one of our largest sales of the year.   That’s right, you read it correctly—large sale, with fares as low as $39 one way! Dreams really do come true and is only a click away. Visit Southwest.com to book your perfect winter get away!     Want to travel, but not sure where to go? Here are a few of our favorite winter get aways this year.   Snowy Wonderland Does snow equal winter? Do you love the cold? Do you love the adrenaline pumping through your blood as you glide down a snow-covered mountain? Then you will love two of our newest destinations: Steamboat Springs, CO, and Montrose (Telluride), CO. Pro Travel Tip: Your skies and snowboard fly free! Visit Southwest.com to learn more about our Bags fly free® policy.   Steamboat Springs (Hayden), CO There is plenty to do in Steamboat Springs via the Yampa Valley Regional Airport (Hayden) from skiing to hot tubbing in the natural springs.   Hitting the slopes: Steamboat Springs is known for its excellent snowmaking skiing and snowboarding a top attraction for this beautiful winter wonderland. There are plenty of runs for all skill levels including your beginners to expert.  Make sure to check out the winter trail map to get a head start on your vacation. No matter your skill level, you are in for a good time! Night Skiing: Just because the daylight ends, does not mean the fun does. Take a ride on the Christie Peak Express (high-speed chairlift) to the top of Christine Peak. Choose between the five trails and enjoy all there is to experience at night. Hot Springs: Tired from a long day on the slopes? Sit back, relax, and enjoy soaking in the natural mineral water from Steamboat Hot Springs. Nothing says vacation like a nice warm natural hot tub. Book your trip to Steamboat Springs (Hayden) now on Southwest.com.   Montrose (Telluride), CO Similar to Steamboat Springs, Montrose (Telluride) is known for its amazing ski resort, winter activities, and powder-like snow.    Hitting the slopes: There are plenty of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. If you are a beginner, you may consider Sunshine, Ute Park, or Prospect Bowl. Intermediate skiers and snowboarders may want to check out Village, Palmyra, or Prospect. Advanced skiers and snowboarders may want to check out Kant-Mak-M, Spiral Stairs, or Mammoth trails. There is an adventure for all. Fat Tire Biking: interested in some moderate level activity? Go fat tire biking along the River Trail through town or out to Lawson Hill to the Telluride Brewing Co. along the valley floor. Sleigh Ride and Dinner: Take a break from the slopes and take a dinner sleigh ride on one of Telluride’s Sleigh and Wagons. Book your trip to Montrose (Telluride) now on Southwest.com.   Desert Wonderland Maybe snow isn’t your perfect winter get away. Are you looking for something warmer? Check out our beloved Phoenix, AZ. Phoenix is known for its beautiful winter weather with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s.   Phoenix, AZ There is plenty to do in Phoenix, whether you are looking for something indoors or some outside trails, there is something for everyone.   Hiking: Experience the desert! Phoenix is known for its parks and preserves in and around the city. Looking for some easy trails, try the Double Butte Loop and Hole-in-the-Rock Trail in Papago Park, Waterfall Trail in White Tank Mountain Regional Park, or the Blevins Trail in Usery Mountain Regional Park. Looking for more of a challenge, try the Hidden Valley via Mormon Trail in South Mountain Park/Preserve, Pinnacle Peak Trail in Pinnacle Peak Park, or the Lookout Mountain Summit Trail in Phoenix Mountains Preserve. Been there, done that? Try one of the more advance trails like the Tom’s Thumb Trailhead in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain, or the Piestewa Summit Trail in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. Whatever your speed is, there is a trail for everyone. Biking: Similar to hiking, there are plenty of trails for different skill levels. Beginners should try the Trail 100 - North Mountain, Double Butte Loop - Papago Park, or the Brown’s Ranch Trailhead - McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Looking for more of a challenge, try the Desert Classic Trail - South Mountain Park and Preserve, Desert Classic Trail - South Mountain Park and Preserve, or the Trail 100 - Dreamy Draw Recreation Area. Experts should try the National Trail - South Mountain Park and Preserve, McDowell Mountains - McDowell Sonoran Preserve, or the Black Canyon Trail. Zoolights: Have you ever wanted to visit a zoo at night? Now you can! The Zoolights is a cherished holiday tradition with twinkling lights, animal sculptures, and a wildlife lantern safari. Haven’t you always wanted to visit a zoo at night? Museums: Take a break from the outdoors and visit one of Phoenix’s amazing museums. Chose from the Phoenix Museum of Art, the Arizona Science Center, the Herold Museum, or the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM). There is more than one way to experience the unique culture of a city. Book your trip to Phoenix now on Southwest.com.   Adventure is out there, and we are here to help you get there this winter. With no change, bag, or cancel fees, and with low fares across our expanding network, winter plans have never looked this good. Visit Southwest.com for a full list of fares, fare rules, and terms and conditions.     SOUTHWEST AIRLINES SALE FARE RULES Purchase today through Oct. 22, 2020, 11:59 p.m. Central Daylight Time. Continental U.S. travel valid Dec.1, 2020, through March 4, 2021. Travel Continental U.S. to/from Hawaii valid Nov. 12, 2020, through April 8, 2021. Interisland Hawaii travel valid Nov. 12, 2020, through April 8, 2021. Travel to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico valid Nov. 12, 2020, through Dec. 3, 2020, and Jan. 11, 2021, through March 4, 2021. International travel valid Nov. 12, 2020, through Dec. 9, 2020, and Jan. 11, 2021, through March 4, 2021. Continental U.S. travel blacked out Dec. 18, 2020, through Dec. 19, 2020, Dec. 23, 2020, Dec. 26, 2020, through Dec. 27, 2020, and Jan. 2, 2021, through Jan. 3, 2021. Travel from continental U.S. to Hawaii blacked out Nov. 19, 2020 through Nov. 22, 2020, Dec. 17, 2020, through Dec. 27, 2020, Feb. 11, 2021, through Feb. 14, 2021, March 19, 2021, through March 20, 2021, March 26, 2021, through March 28, 2021, and April 1, 2021, through April 3, 2021. Travel to continental U.S. from Hawaii blacked out Dec. 26, 2020, through Jan. 4, 2021, Feb. 19, 2021 through Feb. 21, 2021, March 27, 2021, through March 28, 2021, and April 2, 2021, through April 5, 2021. Except as otherwise specified, continental U.S. travel is not valid on Fridays and Sundays. Travel to Ft. Myers/Naples, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, Steamboat Springs/Hayden, CO, Montrose, CO, and Las Vegas; and from Ft. Myers/Naples, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, Montrose, CO, and Steamboat Springs/Hayden, CO to Las Vegas is valid only on Sundays through Wednesdays. Travel from Ft. Myers/Naples, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, Montrose, CO, Steamboat Springs/Hayden, CO, and Las Vegas; and from Las Vegas to Ft. Myers/Naples, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, Montrose, CO, and Steamboat Springs/Hayden, CO is valid only on Tuesdays through Fridays. Travel continental U.S. to/from Hawaii is valid Monday through Thursday. Interisland Hawaii travel is valid Monday through Thursday. Travel to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico is valid Monday through Thursday. International travel is valid Monday through Thursday. Travel to Mexico is valid only on Sundays through Wednesdays. Travel from Mexico is valid only on Tuesdays through Fridays. Fares valid on nonstop service where indicated; if not indicated, fares are valid on single connecting service. Displayed prices include all U.S. and international government taxes and fees. Points bookings do not include taxes, fees, and other government/airport charges of at least $5.60 per one-way flight. Seats and days are limited. Fares may vary by destination, flight, and day of week and won't be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Travel is available for one-way Wanna Get Away® fares. Fares may be combined with other Southwest Airlines® combinable fares. If combining with other fares, the most restrictive fare's rules apply. Sale fares may be available on other days of week, but that's not guaranteed. Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied toward future travel on Southwest Airlines, as long as reservations are canceled at least ten minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Failure to cancel prior to departure will result in forfeiture of remaining funds on the reservation. Any change in itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Standby travel may require an upgrade to the Anytime fare depending on Rapid Rewards® tier status. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Offer applies only to published, scheduled service.   At Southwest Airlines, there are no Change Fees and Bags Fly Free®. ... View more

“Take things one day at a time, and don’t forget to enjoy the little victories.” —Adam Doleac, Musician   Singer-songwriter Adam Doleac is no stranger to the spotlight. Adam was playing baseball at the University of Southern Mississippi when he decided to take a leap of faith and begin his music career. From there he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue his passion for country music. Adam’s positive attitude and his personal mission to “work hard and not expect anything in return” have helped him become successful in his field. He spends the majority of his time on tour and is able to connect with audiences around the country through his music. Adam loves flying Southwest® and often meets fans while traveling. Thank you, Adam, for your loyalty to Southwest as well as your commitment to music!    Do Your Best “There is no magic formula for success. You just have to do well each and every day.”   Precious Cargo “I fly Southwest because I know my instruments are in good hands. I always leave my flight feeling stress-free and ready to take the stage.”   Finding Muses “I often get inspiration from those around me. It can be a person I meet along the way, or even something on one of my Southwest flights. You never know!” ... View more

At Southwest Airlines, our Heart is to do what is right by championing our communities and respecting our resources. Whether in the air or on the ground, our Employees play a crucial role in protecting our environment.   In 2009, our Green Ambassadors, who are Employees throughout the Company dedicated to furthering our commitment to environmental efficiency and responsibility, were tasked with the challenge of finding a unique way to recycle that would not only help Southwest save money, but would help reduce our environmental footprint. Our passionate Employees collaborated with Hi-Cone®, the manufactures of ring carriers, to bring to life the Ring Leader Recycling Program™ at Southwest.   Our Green Ambassadors worked with Orlando Ops Agent Sheila to start the program, which later spread to different stations across the Company. The Ring Leader Program consists of collecting and recycling six pack rings across the Company and shipping them to Hi-Cone to use in open-loop recycling, which is when one or more recycled products are converted into an entirely new product, ultimately changing their properties. This practice helps reduce litter and waste in our landfills and limits the amount of natural resources used to create new plastic products. Today, 11 of our airport locations, including the ones that provision the drinks and snacks on our flights, are part of the Ring Leader Recycling Program™.   Los Angeles Customer Service Supervisor Pauline is one of our many amazing Green Ambassadors who has kept this program alive and thriving at Southwest. “It’s important to be involved in this program as a Company since we serve sodas and canned water on our aircraft and in our stations,” shared Pauline. “We have a large impact on the environment and it’s up to us to help save our planet.”   Since inception of the Southwest Ring Leader Recycling Program in 2009, Southwest has recycled over one million rings—that’s about 8,300 pounds of plastic kept out of landfills!   Through this program, Southwest has not only made an impact in the community, but also helped our Employees create lasting memories.     One of Pauline’s favorite memories in the program occurred when rings were ready to ship to Hi-Cone. “I was in the provisioning area putting the rings into boxes. It was windy and the wind blew over one of my boxes. The rings started flying everywhere and before I knew it, my Coworkers were running around ensuring we collected them all.” For Pauline, that was a sight to see—her Coworkers coming together for a great cause.   To learn more about how Southwest works to positively impact the environment, check out: www.Southwestonereport.com. ... View more

At Southwest Airlines, we put our Heart into everything we do. We do this by connecting People to what’s important in their lives, in the air, on the ground, and in the communities where we live, work, and serve.   Since 2013, Southwest Airlines has partnered with Project for Public Spaces to award 25 Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grants across the United States and Mexico. These grants encourage civic participation and community collaboration through the creation of vibrant public spaces that strengthen connections and instill a sense of community pride.   After a year of community workshops, program testing, planning, and design, we were excited to launch our 2017 grant projects in Oklahoma City, New Orleans, and Buffalo.   From increasing literacy rates, to allowing free programming, to facilitating a safe space to spend time with friends, each of these spaces reflects the unique goals and ambitions of each city, empowering people to become their best selves and local communities to thrive.     Kerr Park  Location: Oklahoma City Launched: August 21 Local Partner: Downtown OKC, Inc.   Oklahoma City is a small town framed in a larger city. To Oklahoma City residents such as Cassi Poor, it is important to her that her community contributes to a lively and thriving city with a culture that attracts and retains young people. The new grant updates to Kerr Park have done just that to contribute to what she proudly calls her community.   “Oklahoma City is known for its selfless and giving residents. Over the years, Kerr Park has provided many things to many different people. With the most recent renovation, I think the park has been restored to give back even more to the community. Kerr Park is an urban oasis that provides a unique opportunity to downtown residents, employees, and visitors.”   “Being located in the central business district, it provides an opportunity for employees to escape from their offices and get some fresh air or soak up the sun. With more and more residents living downtown, there is always a need for greenspace to walk the dog or find a spot to get some light reading or work done. With activities like bocce and ping pong, it’s a great find for visitors staying downtown. Kerr Park provides an opportunity for all, whether it’s work or play.   “What I love the most about Kerr Park is engaging with the variety of people that now visit the park. When I am visiting the park, I tend to ask others if they live or work in the area and I am often surprised that many do not. All the improvements have helped to draw people in from outside of Oklahoma City.”   Duncan Plaza Location: New Orleans Launched: September 21 Local Partner: Arts Council New Orleans and the Downtown Development District of New Orleans   In an area where food, jazz, and family come to life, it is important to have a space that reflects those attributes, and that is what the new Duncan Plaza does for park enthusiasts like Hyma More.   “Being a New Orleans local is like being in a super-sized family, and I can feel that anywhere I go in the city. Before the grant updates, the park was closed off and unappealing to those who were not familiar with the area. Now, Duncan Plaza and its dog park is a place where people want to engage and be a part of the community, rather than somewhere you’d avoid. I strongly believe happy spaces promote happy living. I actually feel happier having a safe, green space so close to where I live and work, and now this is a place I bring my dog daily.”     Buffalo Reading Park Location: Buffalo Launched: October 28 Local Partner: Buffalo & Erie County Public Library   In a city that is growing very rapidly, it’s important to have a community that embraces growth, while holding on to the rich history that Buffalo values. Avid Buffalo Reading Park user, Richmond Wills, loves that this space allows the community to interact with one another in a creative manner.   “I intimately understand the huge potential of having such a space with the intention of stimulating people around the literary arts. There continues to be a need for more visibility and participation for the literary arts, and the Buffalo Reading Park fits that need by creating a safe haven for such convenings. From cultivating a warmly textured space for quiet reading, to hosting events ranging from spoken word to featuring favorite Buffalo novelists, the potential list of activities within the Reading Park are practically limitless, and a benefit to the Buffalo community at large.”   No matter the city, the state, or country, these spaces are truly the Heart of the Community in which local residents can learn, connect, grow, and build each other up in a place where they feel comfortable and accepted. Let us know about your experiences in these public spaces by tagging us on social and using #SouthwestHeart. ... View more