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WELCOME, AKRON-CANTON, DAYTON, AND DES MOINES…AND LOTS MORE SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR THE SUMMER AND FALL!

Bill
Employee
Employee

So…if we announced all of this yesterday, you’d think it was an April Fool’s joke.  BUT IT’S NOT!  We’ve just unveiled lots of service adjustments in the Summer/Fall 2012 schedules.

Headline News:  Southwest is adding THREE new cities!  Effective August 12, Southwest will begin daily service at Akron-Canton (CAK) and Dayton, Ohio (DAY).   At Akron-Canton, we’ll begin with two daily roundtrips to Chicago Midway and a daily roundtrip to Denver alongside AirTran’s 10 daily flights to five markets.  At Dayton, we’ll begin with one daily roundtrip to Denver alongside FL’s eight daily flights to four markets.  Then, on September 30, we’ll begin service to Iowa’s Capital—Des Moines (DSM)—with two roundtrips to Chicago Midway, effectively converting that airport to the Southwest brand.  The new Southwest service will offer Customers in Ohio and Iowa fantastic access to the rest of the Southwest network.   

We also unveiled a number of other schedule changes.  On June 3, we’ll shift the one remaining AirTran flight between Milwaukee and Denver to Southwest, giving us three daily Milwaukee-Denver roundtrips!  We’ll also add two AirTran roundtrips daily in the Atlanta-Houston and Atlanta-Chicago Midway markets, and one AirTran roundtrip between Atlanta and Baltimore/Washington, Denver, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.  Southwest also will add one new seasonal nonstop flight between St. Louis and Panama City Beach, FL (where “Everyone Can Party!”) and between Austin and Portland, Ore., as well as an additional nonstop between St. Louis and Boston and between Dallas and Austin.

Starting August 12, in addition to our new service to Akron-Canton and Dayton, we’ll be shifting one roundtrip daily from Southwest to AirTran between Atlanta and Los Angeles, Chicago Midway, and Phoenix, as well as adding AirTran frequency between Atlanta and Boston, Baltimore/Washington, and Houston Hobby.  We’ll also shift one roundtrip from AirTran to Southwest between Milwaukee and both Las Vegas and Phoenix.  We’re also implementing similar service swaps in numerous markets effective September 30, in addition to our new service at Des Moines. 

These schedule changes mark the first time that we’ve shifted existing, out-for-sale service between the Southwest and AirTran networks, which will go a long way toward aligning both networks to provide even better Customer access (note:  if you have reservations on service that’s affected, we’ll contact you very soon!).  Of course, we’re also incredibly hard at work to make the ultimate in network alignment possible— allowing Customers to fly across the Southwest and AirTran networks!  We’re making progress, but it’s a very large job, since neither Southwest nor AirTran’s reservation system had the capability to connect the networks prior to the acquisition.  Hopefully we’ll have the capability ready to roll out to our Customers in 2013.  Until then, again—welcome to Southwest, Akron-Canton, Dayton, and Des Moines.  Have a great day, everyone!

193 Comments
megan
Explorer B
Cool! But I hope this won't take away from Omaha!
Susan_Stich
Explorer C
More flights to and from ECP! Yay! How about a later return option from ECP-DAL, that's my Christmas wish. I don't like to leave the beach at 1:30pm in the afternoon. Bill, can you fix that for me? 🙂
jessica_Mader
Explorer C
I love NWA and now I shall be loving it even more- The Akron- Chicago flights are so convenient to the greater Cleveland area. It eliminates the turnpike to Cleveland Hopkins and is a dream come true to have SWA in our back yards !!! chicago will be seeing far more of the whole Mader Family Neighborhood now ! Thank you for relatives & friends here and there ! You never disappoint us !
tesg
Explorer C
My dream route would be if you made a Chicago-Des Moines-Wichita-Dallas route (and reverse, of course), so I could fly to Wichita nonstop from DSM. What...seems like a logical Southwest route.
Karen_Meehan
Explorer C
You have covered everywhere in Ohio but where I need to go-Cincinnati! Any chance you'll be coming there anytime soon? Hope so! Luv you SWA!
ps
Explorer C
I am really excited to hear about these shifts and expansions in the network, especially in my homestate of Ohio. I hope it is a good sign of growth. I look forward to seeing the "Southwest Effect" positively influence those local economies, which tends to increase the demand for air travel at the least.
Neil_O
Explorer C
Wish you had more options from Dulles. Really disappointed you are dropping the AirTran service to Atlanta (hardly any mention of this anywhere) and not replacing it. For those of us that live near Dulles, it's not practical to drive to BWI during rush hours. It's easily 2+ hours away. Having to fly through Chicago to go to Florida just doesn't make sense.
bma83
Explorer C
Why no BWI-Des Moines flight?
pacotechguy
Explorer B
Sooo happy for the DSM service!!! We live in Chicagoland; and have family in DSM! My wife currently has to drive out or take the Megabus.. Being able to take SWA and be there in an hour instead of 6 will be awesome!!! Thanks for announcing this conversion from Air tran to SWA!!! Can't wait to take it!!!!!
Melisa
Explorer C
Will you be hiring staff for DSM? I have checked the job page and don't see any listings for DSM. I would love to apply if you are hiring. Thanks!
david_jordan
Explorer C
when are you going to fly from panama city beach to memphis?
Mary_Barrett
Explorer C
When are going to fly from Houston Hobby to Gulf Port Mississippi
Terry_Wollman
Explorer C
Why not keep running flights from Chicago to Long Island??????
Paul_Wilson
Explorer C
Too bad SRQ (Sarasota, FL) will no longer be served by AirTran. Also too bad CRP (Corpus Christi, TX) to ALB (Albany, NY) has been dropped. Seems we always hear about what has been added but not the important (to many of us) routes that are dropped.
glen_cornwell
Explorer C
Any info about a Richmond, VA to Dallas Flight plans. Just wondering wondering when Southwest will take over Richmond.
Carol_Martin
Explorer C
I'm so happy to have SWA coming to Des Moines! My daughter lives in Chicago and It will be great to have an affordable flight to and from there! Thanks!
James_Mulligan
Explorer C
Hi, The new routes look promising. Especially to Atlanta. I miss the Nashville stopover, as I usually leave from PVD. Avoiding all Florida stopover points is a priority with me.
Linda_Thompson
Explorer C
I am anxiously awaiting Southwest's arrival in Memphis. It will be so much more pleasant and convenient to fly directly from here to Texas, instead of driving to Little Rock for your affordable fares. My family and I will see each other more often--and I know my grandson and I will especially be grateful. Please let us know when we can look forward to your arrival... Anticipating good news and a happy welcome, Linda Thompson
Tim_Buttrey
Explorer C
You have no idea how happy we are that you are coming to Dayton! This changes everything.
Paula_Alderson
Explorer C
Our family is very unpatiently waiting for Portland, MAINE to be switched over from AirTran to SOUTHWEST. WHEN MIGHT THAT HAPPEN? Please respond.
Jan_Lunsford
Explorer C
Finally, SWA in Dayton!
SusanCarleton
Explorer C
OMG! OMG! OMG! YOU HAVE MADE MY DAY! My family lives in Akron. No more do we have to trek to Cleveland. I LUV you guys! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Chad_S
Explorer C
Yay! Finally service to Iowa! KC and Chicago are not close enough to be useful.
Becky_Stallswor
Explorer C
With kids in Denver and San Diego, SWA out of Dayton could become our new favorite. We’re so tired of CVG and it’s dwindling service and high prices. I wish SWA were coming to CVG, but since the trend is less and less service here, I’m not going to hold my breath. We will instead head north to Dayton!
scampbell
Explorer C
I am really disappointed that SWA/AirTran has eliminated Sarasota (SRQ)....there are a lot of us Midwesterners that travel there! Please, please.....reconsider!!!
John_McCook
Explorer C
Knoxville Tennessee deserves Southwest service with over a million passengers per year. Please consider Knoxville. I fly approximately 200,000 miles per year.
Maria21
Explorer C
Hello.so glad soutwest is getting more expansion..how about overseas..anytime soon?
Beverly_Armstro
Explorer C
Does SW plan to implement the same policies on Air Tran re: no baggage fees, no change of itinerary fees, etc. Any chance of flights from Phoenix or Vegas to Eugene OR?
Beverly_Armstro
Explorer C
Does SW plan to implement the same policies on Air Tran re: no baggage fees, no change of itinerary fees, etc. Any chance of flights from Phoenix or Vegas to Eugene OR?
Beverly_Armstro
Explorer C
Does SW plan to implement the same policies on Air Tran re: no baggage fees, no change of itinerary fees, etc. Any chance of flights from Phoenix or Vegas to Eugene OR?
Colleen_Rairdon
Explorer C
I am soooo happy you are going to be flying into Dayton, Ohio! My mother is elderly and I need to visit her more often, so this will help me out a lot! I love SWA and always try to fly with you when ever possible. Thank you so much for adding Dayton to the line up! Colleen in Redding, CA
Kathy_Bernier
Explorer C
When will you be flying from Portland Maine?
Copper
Explorer C
How about a SW non-stop from Nashville to DSM? That would be great!
Larry_Jones
Explorer C
Where is Knoxville in the line-up? Air Trans has it now, but doesn't link into any useful connections (like California). Please convert Knoxville to the Southwest food chain so that we can get there without long flights on United/Continental puddle jumpers out of Chicago or Houston.
Chauncey_Giles
Explorer C
How about a flight from Phoenix to Des Moines--havnt seen anything yet on that.
Brett2
Explorer C
YAY - been in Dayton for 5 years waiting for this. No longer will we have to drive to Columbus to fly SWA.
Marcia_Sportell
Explorer C
I would love it if you moved into Gerald R. Ford Int'l-Grand Rapids, MI soon! It's a 3-4 hour drive to Chi-MDW for us. Many friends and Business Assoc. are weary of GRR's high prices for flights to Chicago or Detroit. PLEASE ASAP!
Diane_Coe
Explorer C
Hip Hip Hooray! I fly to Akron Canton from northern California....and every time I used to dream...."I wish Southwest flew here!" And now, you do!! THANK YOU!
Linda_Rabius
Explorer C
Fabulous. I've been waiting for Southwest to come to Dayton OH! I drive to Columbus all the time to catch the flight to Phoenix. I hope you add a flight from Dayton to Phoenix.
John_Farrell
Explorer C
...along with the merger, don't forget the loyal AirTran flyers who make great use of our daily in-season non-stop service to MCO and TPA from DAY !!!!! There are lots of folks here to keep those planes full. And maybe add RSW also. I regularly use Airtran for N/S flights to and from Florida, to the tune of 5 to 7 RT's each year for 2 passengers on ea. trip.
Tasha_Jones
Explorer C
I would love to see SWA fly to Canada? Also they said something about over seas with there new 737...what routes will that be? Thank you SWA for standing up to the big guys!
Bob_Jennings
Explorer C
I wish Southwest would fly to and from Palm Springs, Ca. to Northern California cities such as Sacramento. Alaska is too high priced from here to Sacramento and back and leaves too early in the morning to return here from there. Or you have to go to Seatle when returning in the afternoon! Ridiculous! We really need you here with the big increase in travel to this resort city in California! There is not enough air service here. They just built a really modern control tower to handle more flights.
Traci_Callanan
Explorer C
I have my fingers crossed that one day I"ll be able to fly Southwest into the new Branson, MO airport (BKG) from Sacramento! Southwest currently flies out of Sacramento, but Air Trans does not.....yet Air Trans DOES fly into Branson! Is it possible that one day we will get the Sacramento-Branson Southwest flight to happen? If you can, I will personally guarantee that you'll have my entire family's air business from Sac. to Branson.........FOREVER!!!! 🙂
JOEANN_MOORE
Explorer C
Any plans on opening up into Wichita Ks?
Shirl_Hurt
Explorer C
Have been flying the best airline, Southwest, since 2000. So excited about the new additions. Does anyone know when the AirTran airport in Branson, MO will become Southwest? We live in Springfield and the 3 hour drive, each way, to Kansas City will not be missed. Branson is only 40 minutes South on Highway 65. Keep growin' Southwest....YOU"RE THE BEST!!!!!
Barbara_Orant
Explorer C
I LOVE SW but when are you going to add Boston to Daytona Beach? Thanks.
Marcia_T
Explorer C
We have flown with SWA for years, but moved to Hawaii two years ago. Seeing the announcement of your new Warrior One, we are waiting expectantly (a pregnant pause) for your announcement of service to us 🙂
Ernie_Sautbine
Explorer C
Sounds like great changes; however, we understand that you have eliminated the AirTran service from Indianapolis to Sarasota and the reverse. Your flights always seem full on this route! Why are they being discontinued? This will force Indianapolis people to find other airlines to get from Indy to Sarasota - and we REALLY LIKED AIRTRAN and SOUTHWEST service!! Thanks (but No Thanks) for the inconvenience!
Bruce_Kesselrin
Explorer C
Service to Akron-Canton is great, but doesn't me any good from DC. How about a flight from Baltimore to Akron-Canton?
carole_larson
Explorer C
WOOO HOOO! This original Ohio gal is happy about that!