Southwest Airlines Community

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today that the Company flew 6.7 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in August 2009, a 1.0 percent increase from the 6.6 billion RPMs flown in August 2008.  Available seat miles (ASMs) decreased 6.1 percent to 8.3 billion from the August 2008 level of 8.9 billion.  The load factor for the month was 80.2 percent, compared to 74.6 percent for the same period last year.  For August 2009, passenger revenue per ASM is estimated to have decreased in the five to six percent range as compared to August 2008.                 For the eight months ended August 31, 2009, Southwest flew 50.5 billion RPMs, compared to the 50.9 billion RPMs recorded for the same period of 2008, a decrease of 0.8 percent.  Available seat miles decreased 3.8 percent to 66.8 billion from the 2008 level of 69.4 billion.  The year-to-date load factor was 75.6 percent, compared to 73.3 percent for the same period last year.               This news release, as well as past news releases on Southwest, are available online at southwest.com. ... View more

Nobody likes being the last person to board an airplane. In addition to zero overhead bin space that's left over, it's inevitable that the only seat left on the aircraft is in the back next to the lav between two enormous, smelly, sleeping wrestlers. Traditional airlines get around this by assigning seats at ticketing (and often separating select seats out for elites,) but Southwest Airlines has always had an "open seat" policy. That is, you board roughly in zones and pick whichever seat you want when you get onto the plane. Kind of like a bus. Depending on when you check in and a few other factors, you're allowed to stand in a certain part of the line. to read more, visit: http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/02/southwest-airlines-offers-early-boarding-for-10/ ... View more

There will be a new non-stop daily flight to Phoenix from Reno-Tahoe International Airport beginning Jan. 10, the airport announced today. Advertisement It will be on Southwest Airlines and will bring the daily Southwest flights between Reno and Phoenix to three, the airport said. It will be a mid-day flight on a 136-seat Boeing 737. to read more, visit: http://www.rgj.com/article/20090901/BIZ/90901019/1071/BIZ ... View more

EarlyBird Check-in Automatically Assigns and Confirms Customers’ Boarding Positions in Advance of General Check-in Don’t race. We’ll save your place! Southwest is proud to announce its newest product, EarlyBird Check-in, which gives Customers the option to score an early boarding position by adding an additional $10 to the price of a one-way fare. The low-cost service automatically reserves a boarding position for Customers prior to general check-in, allowing EarlyBird Customers to begin boarding the plane after Southwest’s Business Select and Rapid Rewards A-List Customers. EarlyBird Check-in is available for purchase beginning today, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009, for travel beginning Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009. For additional information on EarlyBird Check-in, visit http://www.southwest.com/flight/early-bird-retrieve-reservation.html or the Company Blog at www.nutsaboutsouthwest.com. “With EarlyBird Check-in, you no longer need to watch the clock or set your alarm to be one of the first Customers to check in for a Southwest flight. EarlyBird Customers can relax, and let us do the work for them,” said Kevin Krone, Southwest’s Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Distribution. An early boarding position provides Customers with the opportunity for a better seat selection and earlier access to overhead bin space, giving Customers the option to enhance their travel experience while creating incremental revenue opportunities for Southwest.  Early boarding privileges are already included in the purchase of a Business Select fare and are a benefit of being on the Rapid Rewards A-List. All Customers are required to print their boarding pass prior to their scheduled departure. Customers can purchase EarlyBird Check-in through a link in the Travel Tools section of southwest.com. They also can select EarlyBird Check-in from their southwest.com confirmation page online and from their confirmation e-mail. EarlyBird Check-in can be purchased up to 25 hours prior to the scheduled departure time of the Customer’s flight. After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation’s leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service.  Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom.  Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest Airlines even more convenient.  Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 67 cities (adding Milwaukee later this year) in 33 states.  Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 34,000 Employees systemwide. ... View more

Adding Flight Change Notifications ‘The Southwest Way.’ Fred Taylor Jr.'s job at Southwest Airlines is to head customer service problems off at the pass. Ideally, he presents customers with a range of solutions before they even know that they have an issue – for example, by calling them to let them know a flight has been delayed or cancelled before they've left for the airport and letting them know their options. to read more, visit: http://www.cioinsight.com/c/a/Case-Studies/Southwest-Upgrades-Customer-Service-420768/ ... View more

from WSJ.com: The Middle Seat Terminal by Scott McCartney Deregulating the airline industry was a major legislative achievement for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who pushed the issue even though he didn’t have jurisdiction over aviation and used his substantial charm and persuasiveness to change the way America travels. to read more, visit:  http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2009/08/26/kennedy-pushed-airline-deregulation-changed-us-air-travel/ ... View more

Three airlines, three rockstars. Heard of Morgan Johnston? On Google, “Morgan Johnston Jetblue” produces over 37,000 results, as compared to “Dave Barger jetblue”, which returns 26,800 results. Dave Barger is the CEO of the airline, and Morgan Johnston leads JetBlue’s social media branding strategy. Morgan was into video production, before he joined JetBlue’s Corporate Communications department in early 2007. Heard of Christi Day? She was voted the Employee of the Quarter earlier this year at Southwest Airlines, because of her tremendous efforts in leading the airline’s brand on various social networks. It’s not very often that a personin the PR dept. of an airline gets such a prestigious award. Heard of Elliott Pesut? He was featured as the Geek of the Month, in one of Seattle’s leading daily this summer. Why? Because he is the “Head Twit” for Alaska Airlines. Elliot is a trained pilot, who was earlier at Flight Operations in Alaska Airlines. He volunteered for this new role, when the opportunity arose. to read more, visit: http://simpliflying.com/2009/so-you-work-for-an-airline-here-are-eleven-steps-to-lead-the-social-media-branding-initiative-and-become-a-rockstar/ ... View more

Social media and Internet addicts, rejoice! When you board a Southwest Airlines flight sometime early next year, you’re going to be able to surf the web via Wi-Fi. to read more, visit: http://mashable.com/2009/08/23/southwest-wifi/ ... View more

Our friend Tom at The Airline Blog writes about his experience at the BOS opening. To read and see his fantastic pictures, visit: http://theairlineblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/southwest-lands-in-boston.html ... View more

Southwest Airlines’ Dallas and Houston operations were recognized today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its leading Green power purchase and for its support and participation in the Agency’s Fortune 500 Green Power Challenge. The  Dallas and Houston operations are purchasing nearly 16 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of Green power, which is enough to meet 30 percent of the facilities’ purchased electricity use.  Southwest Airlines’ Dallas and Houston operations are buying renewable energy certificates (REC) from Reliant Energy. Earlier this week, the EPA updated each of its National Top Partner lists, highlighting some of America's largest Green power purchasers.  Southwest Airlines (Dallas & Houston Operations) currently ranks No. 32 on EPA’s Fortune 500 List.  Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through July 7, 2009.  EPA updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/. Southwest Airlines (Dallas and Houston operations) is purchasing Green power in support of EPA’s Fortune 500 Green Power Challenge.  EPA is challenging Fortune 500 Corporations to collectively exceed 10 billion kilowatt-hours Green power purchasing by year end 2009.   “This was a wonderful initiative by our Green Team, and we are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “Purchasing Green power helps our Company become more sustainable, and it helps us in our mission to do the right thing by Our Planet, Our Communities, and Our People.” Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro.  These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources.  Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide. "EPA commends our leading partners for their continued commitment to protecting the environment by using green power," said Kathleen Hogan, Director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at EPA. “By supporting green power, Southwest Airlines is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, supporting clean energy technologies, and contributing to a clean energy future." About Southwest Airlines Efficient operations are the hallmark of our Company and the foundation of our environmental commitment. Over the decades, Southwest has been at the forefront of such efficiencies as paperless tickets, quick turnarounds, installation of winglets, and, more recently, the installation of fleet-wide advanced avionics, engine washing, and aircraft performance management. This focus on efficiency not only makes good business sense, it is the right thing to do. For more information on how Southwest Airlines cares for the environment, visit www.southwest.com/cares. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) currently serves 67 cities in 35 states, and announced service to Boston Logan beginning Aug. 16, and service to Milwaukee beginning Nov. 1. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide. About EPA’s Green Power Partnership The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,100 Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities.  For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower. ... View more

to view the video, visit: http://www.okcrotary.com/ ... View more

“One if by land. Two if by sea. Three if by…air?” Yes, Colonial humor was in high demand as Southwest began service to its 67th city this weekend.  Picture: We were greeted by the traditional water arch and a crowd of Southwest Employees when we landed. Boston is a city steeped (tea pun intended) in tradition, history, and cobblestone streets. I found the city to be beautiful, pedestrian-friendly, and full of my three favorite foods: chowdah, baked beans, and beer. On Saturday night, Southwest welcomed its Twitter followers, Facebook fans, and online friends to a social at the House of Blues. Karaoke was the main attraction, but my hat goes off to Kyle, our Flight Attendant from the ferry flight, as the best performer of the night. His rendition of Pink's "I'm coming out" was better than the original.      Picture: Kyle, our star Flight Attendant. Sunday was our first day of service, with bagels and air guitar contest greeting our Customers. That afternoon, a team of 30-odd volunteers participated in a Share the Spirit event at the Curtis Guild School in East Boston. Southwest was able to partner with Boston Cares and the Container Store to bring a bit of LUV to this decades-old school located close to the airport.  We painted, we sweated, we cleaned…some of us even learned to use a miter saw! (Cough, me.) On Monday, the festivities took an even wilder turn as our CEO Gary Kelly, Senior Vice President Culture & Communications Ginger Hardage, and Massport officials took a water taxi from Rowe’s Wharf to be greeted by cheering Southwest Employees on the other side of the harbor.     Picture: our water taxi We then jumped in a duck boat headed to Boston Logan, Terminal E (with just a slight detour along the way.) The Lexington Minute Men and a marching band (complete with a fife!) waited at the entrance in what was surely one of the best greetings I’ve ever seen. The town crier, well, cried, and Customers were treated to clam chowder, tea, and cookies. As one of the event photographers, I heartily enjoyed climbing playscapes, crawling on the floor, and swaying on a boat just to get that perfect shot. I’m sharing just couple of my favorites, but you can check out the rest on our flickr page.     Picture: the BOS Employees with the Southwest "Bags Fly Free" giant suitcase. “Cheers” to Southwest now in Boston! ... View more

From its humble beginnings as a Texas-only carrier in 1971, Southwest Airlines has become the biggest domestic carrier in the United States, based on passenger numbers. to read more, visit: http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/08/16/as_boston_service_starts_southwest_looks_ahead/ ... View more

to see the news coverage, visit:  http://www.necn.com/Boston/Business/2009/08/16/Southwest-Airlines-begins/1250439767.html ... View more

Ready, set, go! It’s On with Southwest Airlines’ newest fare sale! Southwest is offering Customers additional discounts with airfares starting as low as $59 one-way to select destinations nationwide. Fares must be purchased by Sept. 3, 2009, and are available for travel everyday except Fridays and Sundays from Sept. 9, 2009, through Jan. 7, 2010. To get these special fares online, visit www.southwest.com. Examples of fares include (see Additional Fare Rules below): ·         $59 one-way between Las Vegas and Phoenix ·         $59 one-way between Baltimore/Washington and Manchester ·         $89 one-way between Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle ·         $89 one-way between Cleveland and Minneapolis/St. Paul ·         $109 one-way between Dallas Love Field and Chicago Midway ·         $109 one-way between New York LaGuardia and Ft. Myers After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation’s leading low-fare carrier, continues to differentiate itself from other airlines—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. The first two checked bags fly for free (size and weight limits apply), there are no fees for a window or aisle seat, and, as always, snacks, sodas, and smiles are all complimentary! Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience.  Southwest offers all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom with a young all-Boeing 737 fleet. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) currently serves 67 cities in 34 states with service to Milwaukee starting Nov. 1. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide. ADDITIONAL FARE RULES Southwest Airlines sale fares are available for purchase Aug. 18, 2009, through 11:59 p.m. PDT on Sept. 3, 2009, and travel must take place between Sept. 9, 2009, and Jan. 7, 2010.   Blackout dates apply from Nov. 24, 2009, through Dec. 1, 2009, and Dec. 18, 2009, through Jan. 4, 2010. Fares do not include a federal excise tax of $3.60 for each flight segment. A flight segment is defined as a takeoff and a landing.  Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility charges (PFC) of up to $9.00 and U.S. government-imposed September 11th Security Fee of up to $5.00 one-way. Travel to/from Washington, D.C. (Dulles) starting at $69 one-way.  Seats are limited. Fares may vary by destinations, flight, and day of the week. Fares may vary by flight and day of travel and will not be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Fares are available for one-way travel. Fares may be combined with other combinable fares.  When combining fares, all rules and restrictions apply. Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest Airlines.  Fares are not available through the Group Desk.  Any change in the itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Standby travel requires an upgrade to the Anytime fare. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Offer applies to operated published, scheduled service only.    www.southwest.com ... View more

The Air Transport Association of America, Inc. (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, announced today that eight of its member airlines have signed an unprecedented agreement with Rentech, Inc. and Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG) to purchase up to 1.5 million gallons per year of renewable synthetic diesel fuel (RenDiesel) for use in ground service equipment at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) beginning in late 2012, when Rentech's plant to produce the fuel is scheduled to go into service. The initial airline purchasers of RenDiesel are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, UPS Airlines and US Airways, with the potential for adding other airline partners. "We are proud to take part in this innovative, collective endeavor that, over time, will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality through the use of greener fuels," said Glenn Tilton, ATA board chairman and UAL Corporation chairman, president and CEO. "This transaction promises to be the first of many such green fuel purchase agreements by the commercial aviation industry. It exemplifies the ongoing commitment of airlines and energy suppliers to diversify our fuel sources while contributing to a cleaner environment and adding new jobs to the economy." The renewable RenDiesel will be produced at the commercial-scale facility that Rentech is developing in Rialto, Calif., primarily from urban woody green waste such as yard clippings. The fuel is expected to have a low carbon footprint and minimal particulate and other emissions while meeting or exceeding all applicable fuel standards. ASIG, which provides fueling services to many airlines that operate at LAX, will handle receipt and dispensing of the RenDiesel. Other discussions regarding potential alternative fuels agreements are continuing through the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative, of which ATA is a founding member. "This commercial purchase contract among Rentech, ASIG and the airlines validates the growing demand for synthetic fuels produced by the Rentech Process," said D. Hunt Ramsbottom, Rentech president and chief executive officer. "The low-emissions profile and near-zero carbon footprint of our renewable RenDiesel will guarantee that the LAX ground service vehicles using this fuel will be among the cleanest and greenest of their kind." Ramsbottom added, "We expect this agreement to serve as a model for future supply relationships at other airports and for other fuels, including Rentech's synthetic jet fuel, which was recently approved for commercial airline use." "ASIG is thrilled to have been instrumental in reaching this landmark deal with the airlines and Rentech, reinforcing our strong commitment to our airline customers and environmental stewardship," said ASIG President Keith P. Ryan. "We are proud to be on the forefront of this innovative effort to advance aviation environmental progress." "This collaborative effort is yet another environmentally friendly initiative that we and the airlines are pursuing at Los Angeles-area airports. It shows what we can accomplish by working together toward a common and necessary goal," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) About ATA Founded in 1936, ATA is the nation's oldest and largest airline trade association, representing the nation's leading airlines. Since its inception, it has played a major role in all of the significant government decisions regarding aviation, including the creation of the Civil Aeronautics Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, the creation of the air traffic control system, airline deregulation and, more recently, with the aftermath of the 9/11 attack on America. ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. passenger and cargo traffic. Annually, commercial aviation helps drive $1.1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs. On a daily basis, U.S. airlines operate nearly 30,000 flights in 77 countries, using more than 6,000 aircraft to carry an average of two million passengers and 50,000 tons of cargo. For additional industry information, visit www.airlines.org. About Rentech, Inc. Rentech, Inc. (www.rentechinc.com), incorporated in 1981, provides clean energy solutions. The company's Rentech-SilvaGas biomass gasification process can convert multiple biomass feedstocks into synthesis gas (syngas) for production of renewable fuels and power. Combining the gasification process with Rentech's unique application of proven syngas conditioning and cleanup technology and the patented Rentech Process based on Fischer-Tropsch chemistry, Rentech offers an integrated solution for production of synthetic fuels from biomass. The Rentech Process can also convert syngas from fossil resources into ultraclean synthetic jet and diesel fuels, specialty waxes and chemicals. Final product upgrading is provided under an alliance with UOP, a Honeywell company. Rentech develops projects and licenses these technologies for application in synthetic fuels and power facilities worldwide. Rentech Energy Midwest Corporation, the company's wholly owned subsidiary, manufactures and sells nitrogen fertilizer products including ammonia, urea ammonia nitrate, urea granule and urea solution in the Corn Belt region of the central United States. About ASIG ASIG is a global provider of ground, fuel, cargo and airport facility services to airlines, airports, oil companies and industry partners. The company's 7,500 highly qualified aviation service professionals safely handle millions of flights and deliver 9 billion gallons of jet fuel annually. ASIG maintains and operates jet fuel facilities at 43 airports and provides aircraft refueling services at 54 airports worldwide. ASIG has won numerous industry awards for their fuel services line of business. The company offers flexible, comprehensive service solutions that deliver value and quality across a network of 67 airports in North America, Europe and Asia. ASIG is part of BBA Aviation, PLC, a world leader in the provision of Flight Support and Aftermarket Services and Systems for commercial aviation, business aviation, regional airline, military operators, including FBO services, fueling, ground handling, turbine engine repair and overhaul and aviation components, landing gear and hydraulic systems. About LAWA Los Angeles World Airports is the Los Angeles city department that owns and operates a system of three airports: Los Angeles International (LAX), LA/Ontario International (ONT) and Van Nuys (VNY). Each plays an integral role in helping to meet the Southern California regional demand for passenger, cargo and general aviation service. Each airport makes a distinct contribution to the strength of the system as it provides a high level of safety, security and service for its customers, communities and stakeholders. LAX is the sixth busiest airport internationally and the third busiest in the United States. Ontario ranks 59 among U.S. airports. Van Nuys ranks 25 internationally in the number of flight operations, and is the world's busiest general aviation airport. SOURCE Air Transport Association /CONTACT: Air Transport Association, Elizabeth Merida, +1-202-626-4205, emerida@airlines.org; or Rentech, Inc., Julie Dawoodjee, +1-310-571-9800, ext. 341, jdawoodjee@rentk.com; or Aircraft Service International Group, Yvonne Coleman, +1-407-648-7373, yvonne.coleman@asig.com, or Los Angeles World Airports, Nancy Suey Castles, +1-424-646-5260, ncastles@lawa.org Web site: http://www.airlines.org Click here to go to Dow Jones NewsPlus, a web front page of today's most important business and market news, analysis and commentary: http:// www.djnewsplus.com/nae/al?rnd=O7IvTgey%2BvZ8RaYPx9d70w%3D%3D. You can use this link on the day this article is published and the following day. ... View more

Working in an airport every day, you’re bound to see a familiar face or two. Whether it be a celebrity, a long-lost friend, or…the Founder/Chairman Emeritus and the President Emeritus of Southwest Airlines?! Alas, it was not Herb Kelleher and Colleen Barrett flying out of Buffalo on July 7th, but it was two Southwest Customers: John and Edith Spain. Southwest Employees Karen Lindak and Jill Haseley spotted the likeness immediately, and just so happened to have “masks” of these Southwest VIPs. (Believe it or not, it’s not uncommon to find unusual Southwest paraphernalia like that lying around at any Southwest city.) The masks were actually from a Southwest “Spirit Party” back in October that was a salute to both Herb and Colleen who were stepping out of their "official" roles. John and Edith were great sports about having their picture taken, and we hope to start a trend with Southwest Celebrity Look-alikes here on the blog. Whether it’s an Employee or Customer, if they closely resemble a celebrity, take a picture and send it to blog.southwest@wnco.com! ... View more

A half-dozen Hispanic college students from San Diego County were among 70 named Friday as winners of free Southwest Airlines flights between their homes and campuses this fall. More than 500 students wrote an essay for the “Lanzate/Take Off” education award travel program. Southwest Airlines partners with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities to issue the awards. to read more,visit: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-08-14/news/southwest-airlines-gives-awards-to-local-students   ... View more

Members of Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards program now can earn incentives from the airline’s new partnership with the Wyndham Hotel Group. to learn more, visit: http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2009/08/10/daily32.html?ana=from_rss ... View more

Over the past few years my kids have racked up some items from Southwest Airlines. For the past year one of my son Max has slept with an inflatable Southwest Airlines’ 737 hanging over his bed. Max has also been using an old orange Southwest Airlines lunch box for pre-school. As Max heads off to Kindergarten in a few weeks I commented to the folks at Southwest Airline that he was upset he couldn’t take his tattered Southwest lunch box to kindergarten. Most airlines would shrug such a comment off, heck most airlines would have never handed out lunch boxes as prizes during a “your flight is late trivia contest,” but what Southwest Airlines did was not only nice, but will help cement a young travellers loyalty to their airline. to read more, visit: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2009/08/11/can-an-airline-build-brand-loyalty-through-being-nice-to-kids-yes/comment-page-1/#comment-110964     ... View more

by Dan Levy In this week’s engagement checkup, we examine how airlines are using the video-sharing site to recruit, inform and entertain potential passengers. In true YouTube fashion, results range from the banal to the outrageous. Anyone who has bonded with a favourite TV show or obsessively re-watched a viral clip on YouTube knows the power and potential of video. But few airlines have fully engaged with the medium. That’s because video production is expensive, time consuming, and potentially risky. Here are a handful of airlines that have boldly launched their own YouTube channels with varying degrees of success: to see the results, visit: http://sparksheet.com/engagement-checkup-airlines-on-youtube/ ... View more

Nationwide, 30,000 fifth graders agree that the Adopt-A-Pilot program is a success.  Southwest Airlines announced today that its Adopt-A-Pilot program, which involves more than 750 active pilots in 1,250 classrooms, has reached an incredible milestone of 10,000 hours of active volunteer time in just six months.   This educational program consists of “adopted” Southwest Pilots that mentor students nationwide in the areas of geography, math, science, aviation, and research skills to promote learning as a key element of success. This program was first developed in 1997 in conjunction with the US Department of Education’s “America goes back to school” effort. It has been constantly updated with the help of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and professional education consultants.  The program is offered free of charge to schools. “This program is about giving students the confidence to know they can achieve anything they want to be with the help of education,” said Captain Dan Mix, a Southwest Airlines Pilot and active participant of Adopt-A-Pilot for the last five years.  “It is about encouraging them to dream outside of what they see in their own communities.  The program seeks to help kids identify their highest aspirations and develop a plan to achieve them.” The program also reaches outlying schools with a “virtual Pilot” where the “adopted Pilot” is reached through email, and students research geographical and historical information about the cities where the Pilot is flying. To get our Pilot’s perspective on this great program check out our blog—Nuts about Southwest: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/10000-hour-milestone-adopt-a-pilot “The Adopt-A-Pilot program has touched the lives of more than 280,000 students nationwide over a period of twelve years,” said Debra Benton, Southwest Airlines Director of Community Relations and Charitable Giving. “The classrooms in the program are grateful to have a commitment of corporate support that displays to students such great role models of reaching for your dreams.  Pilots provide an exceptional one-on-one experience, and empower students with the gift of knowledge and inspiration.   To reach 10,000 hours of active volunteer time is an outstanding achievement by our Pilots, and we stand proud of the great commitment they have shown to the communities we serve.” After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation's leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines -- offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service and no hidden fees. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom. Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest Airlines even more convenient. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 66 cities in 33 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide. ... View more

Southwest chief executive Gary Kelly said that the Dallas-based carrier has a "superior" bid for bankrupt Frontier Airlines. Speaking at the 12th annual Transportation and Infrastructure Summit in Irving, Kelly said acquiring Frontier will give it the opportunity to grow its customer base quickly in Denver. "It's not to take out a competitor and shrink. It's to grow our market by adding that access to not only new routes that we don't serve but by adding more gates, more facilities in Denver," Kelly said. to read more, visit: http://startelegram.typepad.com/sky_talk/2009/08/southwest-ceo-gary-kelly-says-his-airline-has-the-best-bid-for-frontier.html ... View more

Michael Lindenberger/Reporter  Southwest Airlines chairman and CEO Gary C. Kelly spoke this morning in Irving at the annual transportation summit, and said acquiring the bankrupt carrier Frontier Airlines would be a big win for the company. "Today is a big day," said Kelly. Discussions are underway today in advance of tomorrow's bankruptcy auction. "We are doing everything we can to win this. It would allow us to grow," he said. "We think we have the best offer for the community and for the employees. I think Frontier employees probably make half what our employees make." to read more, visit: http://transportationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/08/southwest-ceo-today-is-a-big-d.html ... View more

The smell of sawdust and new carpet was in the air at the two new Southwest Airlines gates at Logan Airport this week as the airline prepared to begin service to Chicago Midway and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall airports on Sunday. Since June, the airline has been transforming the former Northwest Airlines area in Terminal E into a more open seating arrangement with easy chairs, yellow and blue poles, and a laptop station with bar stools. to read more, visit: http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/08/12/southwest_is_almost_ready_for_liftoff_at_logan/ ... View more

Southwest Airlines starts service at Logan International Airport on Sunday after circling around Boston for years with flights out of smaller regional airports. The nation’s largest discount carrier joins low-fare carriers JetBlue [JBLU], Sun Country Airlines, AirTran Airways and Virgin America at Logan. “It’s another low-cost carrier, which is good for the customer,” said Ed Freni, Massport’s director of aviation. “It gives us a more expanded menu for flight choices, plus the pricing that will come out of it because of the competition that we see happening already.” to read more, visit: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/20090812southwest_airlines_to_land_at_logan/ ... View more

By Julie Rutherford You've read the big social media blogs, followed the pundits' advice and tweaked your social media profile to your heart's content. Make your social media presence even more engaging with ideas from these 3 inspired social media profiles: to read more, visit: http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/julie-rutherford/julie-rutherford-marketing-insights/three-inspired-social-media-profiles ... View more

Reporter Scott Friedman profiles our Central Baggage Services--who they are, what they do, and how they do that so well. ... View more

"The concert business is not over!" That was Chip Hooper on the phone right now, agent for Phish and the Dave Matthews Band.  Telling me he was breaking O.A.R. right this very second… I KNOW!  I KNOW! Got to give Chip credit, he foresaw the jam band world two decades ago. But that’s not why I’m writing this. to read more, visit: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2009/08/07/chips-story/ ... View more