Southwest Airlines Community

Watch this clip from Fox News on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_ta2uxYXE4 to learn more! ... View more

If a jet burns an average of 744 gallons of fuel on a one-hour flight, how many gallons of jet fuel will be burned on a 90-minute flight?*  More than 30,000 fifth-grade students nationwide will find answers to this and other questions as they participate in the Southwest Airlines Adopt-A-Pilot community relations program this year. To further its commitment to community and education, Southwest Airlines is kicking off its annual Adopt-A-Pilot program this month. From February through May, fifth-grade students in more than 1,000 classes across the country will “adopt” Southwest Airlines Pilots in this award-winning educational mentorship program that leads students through science, geography, math, writing, and other core subjects, all based in aviation-related activities. Students will also research careers, develop life values, and realize the importance of staying in school. In order to teach students the importance of “Going Green,” the Adopt-A-Pilot program has added environmental awareness to the curriculum. The lesson focuses specifically on how Southwest Airlines views energy usage and fuel consumption and ways the airline has worked toward improving its aircraft to make them more eco-friendly. The students will learn about the aircrafts’ winglets, fun fuel conservation facts, energy and recycling habits, and ways they can help the environment too. ”The new environmental awareness lesson teaches about Southwest’s mission to be environmentally friendly. Our Employees are excited about our green initiatives and their inclusion in the Adopt-A-Pilot program is a great way to spread awareness and spark interest in students across the United States,” said Linda Rutherford, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Communications and Strategic Outreach. More than 750 Southwest Pilots volunteer in the four-week-long mentorship program. Pilots volunteer their time in adoptive classrooms and correspond from the “road” via e-mail and postcards. Classrooms chart their Pilot’s course on an official U.S. route map and complete lessons related to the Pilot’s monthly flying schedule. “We always enjoy our time in the classroom. The students’ curiosity and imagination makes the program worthwhile,” said Southwest Airlines Pilot Tim Leonard. “I’m proud to be a part of something that is diverse in its curriculum, enriching for students, and gets them excited about travel and future professions. The Adopt-A-Pilot program is more than just a volunteer opportunity for Pilots; it’s about building relationships.” Created in 1997, Adopt-A-Pilot started as a small community outreach program in just 50 classrooms in Southwest’s destination cities, and now it reaches more than 800 classrooms in large and small communities nationwide. Southwest Airlines developed the program in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education and the Smithsonian Institute’s National Air and Space Museum. National leaders such Gen. Colin Powell, President Bill Clinton, and former First Lady Laura Bush have recognized the excellence of the Adopt-A-Pilot program. For additional program information and to view the program curriculum please log on to the web site at www.southwest.com/adoptapilot.  Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 64 cities in 32 states (Southwest will begin service to Minneapolis/St. Paul in March 2009). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide. Click here to view a video from a recent Adopt-A-Pilot event with Southwest Airlines CEO, President, and Chairman of the Board Gary Kelly: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/video/southwest-airlines-adopt-a-pilot-2009 * (Answer: 1,116 gallons of jet fuel will be burned)   ... View more

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:  LUV) announced today that the Company flew 5.1 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in January 2009, a 6.4 percent decrease from the 5.5 billion RPMs flown in January 2008.  Available seat miles (ASMs) decreased 4.4 percent to 8.2 billion from the January 2008 level of 8.5 billion.  The load factor for the month was 62.8 percent, compared to 64.2 percent for the same period last year.  For January 2009, passenger revenue per ASM is estimated to have increased in the six percent range compared to January 2008.  This release, as well as past news releases on Southwest, are available online at www.southwest.com   ... View more

Southwest Airlines has selected Wunderman as its Agency of Record for the airline’s award-winning frequent flyer program, Rapid Rewards.  The account will be managed from from Wunderman’s Irvine , California office and will utilize the resources of the Wunderman network. Wunderman will be tasked with strategic, creative, and analytical responsibilities related to Rapid Rewards marketing communications programs.  Southwest and the agency will work together to develop campaigns in a range of mediums.  “We chose Wunderman because of their strategic vision, their ability to provide innovative solutions, and the personal chemistry that they demonstrated with our team,” said Kevin Krone, Vice President Marketing, Sales, and Distribution.  “They’ve shown that they know how to marry creativity and innovation to reach consumers effectively.”  “Southwest Airlines knows their Customers," said Wunderman North American Managing Partner Dan Olson.  “Wunderman’s role is to provide fresh thinking that will spur growth and energize their ability to create meaningful dialogue and deeper relationships with Rapid Rewards Members.”    ... View more

You really can buy me LUV! Take advantage of low fares from Southwest Airlines to whisk away your sweetie while keeping the cost cheap! Southwest is announcing a nationwide fare sale. Fares are available as low as $49 one-way for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays or $59 one-way for travel Thursdays through Mondays when purchased by Feb. 19, 2009. These fares are available on southwest.com only and require 14-day advance purchase for travel by May 20, 2009. To get these special online fares, click here. Examples of fares include (see Additional Fare Rules below): ·         $49 one-way between Dallas Love Field and New Orleans ·         $69 one-way between Denver and Seattle-Tacoma ·         $89 one-way between Baltimore/Washington and Houston Hobby              Southwest Airlines is also offering outrageously low fares between specific cities for travel Mondays through Thursdays or Saturdays.  Customers can travel within the Northeast from Baltimore/Washington for $49 one-way or flee the Windy City ( Chicago ) and head to California for only $99 one-way. Customers also can go west or northwest from Phoenix for $49 to $99 one-way. These fares are available on southwest.com only and require 14-day advance purchase for travel by May 20, 2009. To get these special online fares, click here. Examples of fares include (see Additional Fare Rules below): ·         $49 one-way between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Chicago Midway (service begins March 8, 2009) ·         $49 one-way between Baltimore/Washington and Pittsburgh ·         $99 one-way between Chicago Midway and Los Angeles ADDITIONAL FARE RULES Fares are only available on www.southwest.com. Southwest Airlines fare sales are available with a 14-day advance purchase Jan. 27, 2009, through Feb. 19, 2009, 11:59 PST, and travel must take place between Feb. 10, 2009, and May 20, 2009.   Fares do not include a federal segment tax of $3.60 per takeoff and 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 Florida , Orange County , Calif. , or Washington , D.C. (Dulles), not included in either sale.  Seats are limited. Fares may vary by 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.  Fares are not combinable with Senior Fares. When combining fares, all rules and restrictions apply. Fares are nonrefundable by may be applied toward 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. Fares are valid on published, scheduled service only.   ... View more

Southwest Airlines may be the only airline without a PR problem right now. So why are they additionally showering their passengers with cash -- literally? Southwest rented a cash cube for a party last week at New Orleans' Louis Armstrong International Airport, celebrating 30 years of service at the Big Easy. And they announced it in a tantalizingly 2.0 way -- by live-blogging and tweeting the cube's arrival (with a picture too!) to read more, visit: http://www.jaunted.com/tag/Airport%20Parties ... View more

By DERRIK J. LANG, AP Entertainment Writer Most contestants on "The Amazing Race" must tackle language barriers during their trek around the world. As the reality series' first-ever deaf contestant, Luke Adams had double the trouble. The 22-year-old recent college grad and his mother Margie are among the 11 two-person teams racing for the $1 million prize in the upcoming 14th season. "I thought it would be easy because my mother and I have always communicated really well," the longtime "Amazing Race" fan, who doesn't speak or read lips, said through an interpreter. "In the airports, my mom had to do all of the work because she had to do all of the talking. It was kind of hard for me to depend on her to do all of that." "In the beginning, I think Luke didn't have a whole lot of trust that I was going to communicate all of the information that I was receiving to him properly," said Margie. "I would ask a question or for directions, and it would take five minutes to get the answer, then I'd give him a 30-second reply. He'd say, 'No, you didn't tell me everything.'' " Other teams this season include pairs of stuntmen, Southwest Airlines flight attendants, former National Football League cheerleaders and University of Louisville college athletes. Brother-and-sister team Victor Jih, 35, and Tammy Jih, 26, both graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Law School and now work as corporate litigators in California . "Having seven years of higher education under our belts, we thought it would give us a big advantage because we're good at learning," said Tammy. "We went into this race knowing that everything we would face would be difficult and new and things that we're not familiar with, but we were really comfortable in the fact that we're good learners. " Beginning at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base near Long Beach , Calif. , the Emmy-winning CBS reality competition (premiering Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. EST) will follow the teams for 12 episodes as they travel over 40,000 miles in 22 days to nine countries, including _ for the first time _ Romania as well as Switzerland , India and Russia . "We shot in the city of Krasnoyarsk and the city of Novosibirsk ," said "Amazing Race" executive producer Bertram van Munster. "The teams get from one city to another via the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Of course, it started off nice, but we got into this Siberian snowstorm with below-zero temperatures, which we weren't used to. It was pretty exciting." At 68, Mel White is the season's oldest contestant. The gay-rights activist and former speechwriter for Pat Robertson and Billy Graham is teamed up with his 38-year-old son Mike White, the actor-screenwriter who penned such films as " School of Rock " and "Nacho Libre." Despite the frantic pace of the race, Mike insists he didn't bicker much with his dad. "Compared to some of the other teams, I think we got along like a Hallmark card," he said. ... View more

To read our press release, visit: http://southwest.com/about_swa/press/prindex.html   ... View more

Last night over 140 local professionals were in the audience to listen to Southwest Airlines legend Colleen Barrett talk about managing corporate culture during hard times. Ms. Barrett had a very relaxed speaking style. She had no prepared remarks, but instead just allowed her mind to free-flow a stream of consciousness. She talked to the crowd like a next door neighbor, sharing her anecdotes and passion about corporate culture. Clearly sage advice. To read more, visit: http://thomsinger.blogspot.com/2009/01/managing-corporate-culture-during-hard.html ... View more

by Jennifer Van Grove We all know brands are using Twitter — whether or not you want them around. Some of them don’t quite get the medium and just tweet self-serving links or marketing speak, but you won’t find any of those brands here. We’ve handpicked 40 of the best brands experimenting with the micro-blogging platform, and asked them a few short questions about how they’re using Twitter. To read more, visit: http://mashable.com/2009/01/21/best-twitter-brands/ ... View more

Spend less green to get to the jewel of the Pacific Northwest   Dorothy had to follow that long yellow brick road and then click her heels for her roundtrip to Oz.  All you have to do is click your mouse to get a great deal for travel between the Emerald City and more than fifty Southwest Airlines destinations. For 72 hours only, Customers will be able to get 50 percent off any Southwest Airlines “Wanna Get Away” fare for roundtrip travel to and from Seattle-Tacoma!   These super low fares are available today, Jan. 20, 2009, through 11:59pm PST on Jan. 22, 2009, for travel Feb. 3, 2009, through May 31, 2009.  To book these low fares enter the promotion code “ SEATTLE ” at southwest.com or click on the following link http://www.southwest.com/landing/seattle50off.html.   Examples of fares are listed below (see Fare Rules): ·         $112 roundtrip between Sacramento and Seattle-Tacoma. ·         $122 roundtrip between Oakland and Seattle-Tacoma. ·         $130 roundtrip between Denver and Seattle-Tacoma. ·         $180 roundtrip between Philadelphia and Seattle-Tacoma. ... View more

“With the Power of an Education, the Sky is the Limit” is the new Southwest Airlines advertising campaign launched today in print, radio, and the internet to celebrate Black History Month.   Southwest also created a link where Customers can learn more about the educational organizations the airline supports at www.southwest.com/blackhistory.                                                                                       “For more than 30 years, Southwest Airlines has been committed to education and the creation of new opportunities in our communities, “ said Marian Thompson, Southwest Airlines segment marketing specialist.  “Black History month is not just a 30 day celebration at Southwest; it’s an all year pledge to our core values.”  That’s why we celebrate Black History all year round by supporting the potential of tomorrow’s leaders through education related partnerships.             Southwest Airlines’ long heritage of serving the African American community stems from the Company’s commitment to diversity at all levels.  With more than 30 community based organizations as partners, an active Corporate Community Affairs department, and a diverse workforce, Southwest Airlines empowers its message with true action. Ads will run in several mediums, including Ebony, Essence and Black Enterprise, with a portrait of a young African American student dreaming of a bright future. To see the ad link to:   http://www.southwest.com/images/swamedia/0109_blackhistorymonth.jpg  The title “The Sky is the Limit” exemplifies how Southwest Airlines understands how dreams can be accomplished through education. The campaign was created by Austin based agency, GSD & M, Idea City .  ... View more

Southwest Airlines Co. carried the most passengers domestically and overall during the first 10 months of 2008 when compared to other U.S. airlines, a new report from the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics said Thursday. To read more, visit: http://albuquerque.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2009/01/12/daily42.html?ana=yfcpc ... View more

It’s an idea that was born around the mountains of Tibet and New Zealand but it may be landing in the near future at an airport near you. It’s called “Required Navigation Performance” (RNP) and it was originally designed to assist pilots in navigating their way around difficult mountainous regions. To read more, visit: http://www.fly2houston.com/0/1419359/0/1906D1934/ ... View more

DALLAS, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines' (NYSE: LUV) Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $.0045 per share to Shareholders of record at the close of business on February 26, 2009 on all shares then issued and outstanding. The 130th consecutive dividend will be paid on March 19, 2009. ... View more

Southwest Airlines has found itself at the top of another list. The Dallas air carrier is ranked third behind Google and Microsoft for its college internship program. To read more, visit: http://www.the33tv.com/pages/content_landing_page/?Southwest-Airlines-has-top-internship-pr=1&blockID=186036&feedID=460 ... View more

by Rebecca Ruiz  Common wisdom says that buying cheap is more expensive in the long run. When it comes to air travel, consumers probably expect this to be true. After all, budget carriers aren't always considered smooth-running operations offering a consistent level of service. But according to our analysis of the nation's 10 major airlines, discount carriers actually rank first in reliability. To read more, visit http://www.forbes.com/2008/09/30/airlines-reliable-ten-forbeslife-cx_rr_0930travel.html ... View more

DALLAS —Jan. 14, 2009—Southwest Airlines announced today an expansion of its California service with five new nonstop flights between San Francisco International Airport and John Wayne Airport . This is a new route for the air carrier which currently operates 362 daily flights within California . Flights are available for booking beginning today. The service begins May 9, 2009. To take advantage of these new Southwest Airlines flights, visit: http://www.southwest.com/?src=PR_NS_SFOSNA011409 “Southwest Airlines is California ’s number one air carrier so it only makes sense for us to serve the extremely popular route between San Francisco and Orange County ,” said Southwest Airlines Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Distribution Kevin Krone. To celebrate the new nonstop service, Southwest is offering a $69 one-way fare between San Francisco International Airport and Orange County .  This 21-day advance purchase fare is available for purchase today (see Fare Rules) at southwest.com for travel beginning on May 9, 2009, through the end of the schedule, currently June 26, 2009. With the new service, Southwest Airlines will fly 206 daily nonstop flights, more than any other carrier, between the Bay Area and the Los Angeles Basin Area. Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier at John Wayne Airport with 46 daily nonstop departures. ... View more

According to Hitwise and Tripso.com, Southwest Airlines is the third most-visited travel site! Check out our ranking at: http://www.tripso.com/today/mapping-services-and-southwest-airlines-dominate-list-of-top-travel-sites/ ... View more

By Rebecca Heslin, USA TODAY When Mike Wilson joined Twitter in July 2007, he wasn't expecting it to garner him his proverbial 15 minutes of fame. But that's exactly what happened last month when the Denver native boarded the ill-fated Continental flight 1404 headed for Houston... To read more, visit http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-01-06-twitter_N.htm And follow Southwest Airlines' own Twitter at https://twitter.com/SouthwestAir ... View more

DALLAS —Dec. 30, 2008—Southwest Airlines is offering all Customers something to toast this New Year’s Eve! For 48 hours only, Customers will be able to get 50 percent off Southwest’s lowest “Wanna Get Away” fares for roundtrip travel to and from Las Vegas ! Las Vegas is the airline’s most popular travel destination, so it’s offering Customers a one-of-a-kind discount. These super low fares are available Dec. 30, 2008, through midnight PST on Dec. 31, 2008, for travel Jan. 13, 2009, through March 11, 2009. To book these low fares enter the promotion code “lasvegas” at southwest.com/lasvegas or click here. Examples of fares are listed below (see Fare Rules): ·         $69 roundtrip between Phoenix and Las Vegas . ·       $149 roundtrip between Philadelphia and Las Vegas . ·       $159 roundtrip between Dallas and Las Vegas . · $169 roundtrip between Orlando and Las Vegas . FARE RULES Southwest Airlines fare discount available Dec. 30, 2008, through midnight PST on Dec. 31, 2008, and travel must take place between Jan. 13, 2009, and March 11, 2009.  Discount is only available on www.southwest.com/lasvegas. Roundtrip travel on a Wanna Get Away fare to/from Las Vegas McCarren International Airport is required. When combining fares, all ticketing restrictions apply. Any change in the itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Seats are limited. Fares may vary by day of travel and will not be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Fares do not include a federal segment tax of up to $3.60 per takeoff and landing.  Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility charges (PFC) of up to $18.00 and U.S. government-imposed September 11th Security Fees of up to $10.00 roundtrip.  Tickets are nonrefundable but (except for tickets purchased through our Group Tickets program), if unused, may be applied toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest Airlines.  If combining with other fares, the most restrictive fare's rules apply. Discount is valid on Southwest-operated published, scheduled service only.   ... View more