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SOUTHWEST AIRLINES ANNOUNCES INTENT TO SERVE SOUTH CAROLINA

cday
Frequent Flyer C
Carrier Selects Charleston and Greenville-Spartanburg--No Subsidies Required

 

May 11, 2010--Southwest Airlines today announced its intent to serve the state of South Carolina—without subsidies—through the cities of Charleston (CHS) and Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) in 2011. Southwest will release details regarding start dates, destinations and fares, and number of departures at a later date.  The airline’s service will not be dependent on pending legislation to provide air service subsidies. For more information about Southwest Airlines, click here.

 

“We look forward to serving the Palmetto State with Southwest Airlines’ unique brand of genuine hospitality, great value, a robust and reliable flight network, and our terrific Employees who deliver excellent Customer Service,” said Dave Ridley, Southwest’s senior vice president of marketing and revenue management.

 

Southwest reported a profitable start to the year with its First Quarter 2010 financial results last month. At that time, Southwest said overall demand for its Low Fares and high quality Customer Service remained strong, resulting in a record first quarter performance for load factor, passenger yield, operating unit revenue, and passenger revenues.  Southwest attributed the notable performance to its network optimization and revenue management efforts, which also have allowed it to grow in destinations without growing its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. The carrier intends to continue that growth strategy in 2011, keeping its capacity relatively flat with 2010.

 

 

 

After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation’s leading low-fare carrier where bags fly free, 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 Airlines (NYSE: LUV) currently serves 68 cities in 35 states and is the largest U.S. carrier, based on domestic passengers carried. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.

 

www.southwest.com

1,329 Comments
Janeen
Explorer C
HOORAY!! Now we don't have to fly into Raleigh and drive to Charleston! Love it. Charleston, here we come, again.
Anonymous1589
Explorer C
I think its still not close enough to myrtle beach...
mike_long_islan
Explorer C
Awesome have friends there i only travel on SW Now it makes it so much easier I hope its early 2011
Renee_Craven
Explorer C
I'm happy to hear of your plans for service to Charleston, SC. I have lots of family there and that's good news for all of us. Charleston has much to offer and they are frequently skipped when if comes to hubs. May you have much success with your plans.
Anonymous4120
Explorer C
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!GREAT MOVE!
cass_loveless
Explorer C
Happy Days, does this mean you will fly to Myrtle Beach from Philadelphia,?? I love Southwest and only use the other carriers because Myrtle Beach is not one of your destinations..Please tell me it's true.! I can't wait!!
Neal2
Explorer C
Please make one of your destinations from Greenville Albany, NY
szq
Explorer C
Great news! book me on your first flight to Isp!
Anonymous568
Explorer C
YAY!!!! My daughter, her husband, and brand new grandson are stationed in South Carolina and we have to catch whatever flight goes out that way. We are thrilled that SW will be servicing SC!!! Thank YOU!!!
Donna19
Explorer C
How about flights to LAUGHLIN NEVADA / BULLHEAD CITY AZ. from Columbus Ohio?
Jean3
Explorer C
Hooray! My sister lives outside of Charleston. Now we should be able to visit more often.
Bluegrass_Soone
Explorer C
That's great news - but when are you going to add Lexington, KY?
Anonymous1179
Explorer C
FINALLY!!! I can forget that 11 hour drive! Will there be direct flights from PIT to CHS?
bill_b
Explorer C
Would love to see Chs to ISP on Long Island lots of people heading south
Pat_Tessendorf
Explorer C
Yeahhhhh is all I can say...My daughter and granddaughter are moving there this month and we fly her to visit us every summer on Southwest!!!!
Joy2
Explorer C
Charleston is great news as I go to Jacksonville now. Any hopes for Savannah? That would really be suberp! You are the only one I fly, as you are the best! Thanks.
Dave_Taylor
Explorer C
Hope you come to Wichita, KS without subsidies., then my wife and I can fly to SC and beyond without driving to KC to catch a flight. Come on Southwest, give Wichita a good look.
Ed_Beck
Explorer C
Fantastic!! When we travel to western NC, we now fly to Nashville and rent a car (we only fly Southwest). You have just cut two hours off my driving time, since I will now be able to fly into GSP on a real airline. But, what about Atlanta? Is it on your drawing board???
LARRY_CLARK
Explorer C
HOW ABOUT ATLANTA,GA. ?
Anonymous4429
Explorer C
Fabulous news for Boeing employees in Seattle - nonstop please
Anonymous64
Explorer C
Lucky for Charleston - how 'bout Richmond VA? We love ya too, ya know!
Paul_Shirley
Explorer C
WE WOULD "LOVE " TO HAVE YOU TO COME TO kNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE. THE THRIVING CITY OF KNOXVILLE WOULD WELCOME YOU. Paul Shirley
Anonymous3120
Explorer C
Great news! My wife has been dying to see Charleston!! Now how about direct to Dulles from Hartford CT and /or Albany NY?
Greg_Bowles
Explorer C
Great news for those of us interested in history of the War of Independence and the 2nd War of Independence 1861-1865!
Patty9
Explorer C
YIPPEE! Any plans to fly into Myrtle Beach in the future? Charlston is about an hour away. Will definately fly into Charlston. I can't wait!
Joan8
Explorer C
Flights to Charleston. SC are a wonderful idea. Now I can fly if I want to go to Myrtle Beach. It's only an hour's drive south of MB.
Kelly_Johnson
Explorer C
We have been traveling the roads between Nashville & Charleston 3-4x's A YEAR for over 15 years. I can not tell you how happy this makes me & my entire family (both in Nashville & Charleston). Thank you SWA for being a pleasure to travel with & filling a much need travel option!
Kathy_DIllon
Explorer C
I need a seat to Charleston on Feb. 22, 2011. That's my 60th birthday and Charleston is the place I want to celebrate it. Keep up the good work!
Anonymous1997
Explorer C
Our Granddaughter starts College in Clinton, C in the fall. This will surely improve the transportation choices. Thanks SWA
angela_Braxton
Explorer C
I have flown Southwest for years. We go to Greenville. SC and have to drive. I was hopeing that SW would eventully fly there. THIS HAS MADE MY DAY !!!!!!! I LUV YOUR AIRLINE Angela Sat. 06/12/10
Anonymous641
Explorer C
glad to hear you will be headed that way ... what about myrtle beach and savannah????? lots of golfers love that area!!!!!!!!!!!!!
George_Mitchell
Explorer C
Fantastic news for military families both active and retired. I hope Southwest is considering non-stop connection from San Antonio International Airport, home of Lackland AFB and Ft Sam Houston to Charleston, home of Charleston AFB! Way to go Southwest!!
Beth7
Explorer C
Still hoping for Southwest to come to South Bend, IN We small but mighty! Would love for it to travel to Phoenix and Denver and Chicago!
Amy16
Explorer C
Whoooooo HOOOOOOOO!!!! Thank goodness!!!! Any plans for adding Columbia to your routes???
Disappointed_in
Explorer C
Great news for SC! I hope that means Georgia is next! I have tons of family in GA and have been hoping for years that Southwest would add service there. So happy the company is doing well and expanding....Southwest is the best!
Sharon15
Explorer C
Very glad to have Southwest coming to SC.(Gsp and Charleston.) I will be able to see my children more often with the lower cost flights! It will also be more convenient!! Any chance you will be here before 2011?
Anonymous4408
Explorer C
Our son just got hired in Charleston...Southwest is our favorite airlines and we were disappointed to see you didn't fly there. Sooo happy you will be adding SC. Love the sense of humor of the flight crews as well as the other perks your airlines offer. THANK YOU!!!!
angela_Braxton
Explorer C
Justed posted . I hope the route is from Albany, ny to Greenville SC we have lots of family. How about Atlanta next on the list !!
lcopple
Explorer C
I AM SO EXCITED. I am a Charleston, SC, gal. Live in Tulsa and would certainly change to Southwest. Your fares and no baggage charges, plus swiftness getting someplace, are all very appealing. Thanks for the good news.
C_Cox_-_HOU
Explorer C
WOW! This is really great news however, wish it had come sooner. Been wanting something closer to Charlotte/Greenville/Charleston for more than 15 yrs.. Beats flying into RDU and all that driving!! Keep up the good work. Luv Ya S'west!
Anonymous925
Explorer C
As a native South Carolinian with family in the upstate, you have made my day!
Bob_Russell
Explorer C
This is great news! I can now see my grandaughter in Charleston, with the convenience of flying out of Islip, Long Island! This is terrific, no more need to go to Queens.
Anonymous877
Explorer C
Now on to Savannah. A direct flight from Philadelphia, PA would be welcome.
Cummins_Family
Explorer C
THANK YOU from our family in Chucktown! THANK YOU from our son and daughter-in-law near Denver. THANK YOU from our daughter and son-in law in San Fran!
Bruce_Hanson
Explorer C
Looking forward to starting date to Charleston. Southwest should be opening up more cities in the Southeast. Also, when is DING going back to some distant trips. For too long trips out of PHX have only been SHORT hops to NM, TEX, and Southern California.
Joseph_Rappuchi
Explorer C
Would love to see you come to Harrisburg, PA. Then I would have no other need to fly lesser airlines.
Happy_in_Boise_
Explorer C
You just made my day! We travel to Charleston every summer for a family reunion and it is so much hassle to use other airlines and the cost is prohibitive unless you fly into NC or FL--which then must be followed by a 4 hour car drive. THANK YOU SO MUCH SOUTHWEST!!!! You already had our loyalty but wow, this is the icing on the cake!
golfapatamus
Explorer C
Fabulous that SW is flying into Charleston in 2011. Hope you consider Savannah, Ga (SAV) for service, too!
AnonymousB-Bob
Explorer C
Why isn't there any flights to pensacola, fla home of NAS training flight school and of course Blue Angels or even Biloxi- gulfport or anchorage,ak?
Anonymous946
Explorer C
Thanks so much for opening up service to South Carolina. We love Charleston and can't wait to take advantage of this service! We used to live there and have a lot of friends there and will definitely take advantage of the new schedule.