FrequentFliers.com

DALLAS, April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Southwest Airlines today announced that Members of its Rapid Rewards (Southwest Airlines) and A+ Rewards (AirTran Airways) frequent flyer programs are now able to transfer their loyalty rewards between the two programs to redeem for reward travel to 97 destinations*, including Mexico and the Caribbean. While the two loyalty programs remain separate for now, the ability to redeem rewards for more destinations represents an enhancement to both programs.

“We are thrilled to share this news today with Members of both Rapid Rewards and A+ Rewards,” said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Distribution. “Members of both programs have been asking for this ability, and we know they will enjoy using their loyalty rewards to travel to even more destinations.”

The ability to convert loyalty rewards requires an active account in each program. Members then use their Rapid Rewards Member account number to access the loyalty rewards conversion capability on southwest.com®. Southwest’s Rapid Rewards Members can convert their Rapid Rewards Points, active credits, and active Awards/Certificates into A+ Rewards Credits for flights on AirTran. AirTran’s A+ Rewards Members can convert their active A+ Rewards Credits into Rapid Rewards Credits for flights on Southwest Airlines.

Members can make the following conversions:

Transferring Southwest’s Rapid Rewards* to AirTran’s A+ Rewards

1,200 Rapid Rewards Points –> 1 A+ Rewards Credit.(1)

1 Rapid Rewards Credit –> 1 A+ Rewards Credit.(2)

1 Rapid Rewards Standard Award –> 16 A+ Rewards Credits.(3)

1 Rapid Rewards Freedom Award –> 32 A+ Rewards Credits.(4)

Note: 16 A+ Credits = one roundtrip Coach ticket on AirTran

Transferring AirTran’s A+ Rewards to Southwest’s Rapid Rewards

1 A+ Rewards Credit –> Rapid Rewards Credit.(5)

Note: 16 Rapid Rewards Credits = 1 Standard Award

To learn more about Rewards Conversion, and view step-by-step instructions and videos, visit http://www.rewardsfarther.com . For more information about Rapid Rewards, visit http://www.southwest.com/rapidrewards . For more information about A+ Rewards, visit http://www.aplusrewards.com .

About Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers–offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and has acquired AirTran Airways, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. Southwest serves 73 cities in 38 states and remains one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/citizenship to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 39,000 Employees systemwide.

About AirTran Airways

AirTran Airways, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co., was named the top airline in the 2012 Airline Quality Rating study and has achieved that ranking three times in the past five years. AirTran offers coast-to-coast service on North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet. The airline’s low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating and Business Class.

*Reflects 2012 schedule changes announced through November 2, 2012.

www.southwest.com

(1)Rapid Rewards Points can be converted in increments of 300. Expiration date of newly created A+ Rewards Credits will be one year from the date of creation. Please note that Rapid Rewards Points that are transferred into A+ Rewards Credits cannot be transferred back into Rapid Rewards as Points.

(2)Rapid Rewards Credits can be converted in increments of .25 Credits. Expiration date of newly created A+ Rewards Credits will be the same as the original expiration date of the Rapid Rewards Credits transferred.

(3)Active one-way Certificates can be transferred for 8 A+ Rewards Credits. Expiration date of newly created A+ Rewards Credits will remain the same as the original expiration date on the Award/Certificate.

(4)Active one-way Certificates can be transferred for 16 A+ Rewards Credits. Expiration date of newly created A+ Rewards Credits will remain the same as the original expiration date on the Award/Certificate.

(5)Credits can be converted in increments of .25 Credits. Expiration date of newly created Rapid Rewards Credits will be the same as the original expiration date of the A+ Rewards Credits converted. Once you reach 16 total combined Credits in your Rapid Rewards account, a Standard Award will automatically generate, carrying an expiration date of one year from the date the Award was created.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

DALLAS, Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and its wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways announced today the carriers received route authority approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for AirTran to operate international flights to new destinations in Mexico beginning as early as May 24, 2012. AirTran’s new international flights will include one daily roundtrip between Orange County, Calif., and Cabo San Lucas/San Jose del Cabo* and one daily roundtrip between Orange County and Mexico City.* AirTran also will initiate four weekly roundtrip flights between San Antonio and Cancun* as well as one daily roundtrip flight between San Antonio and Mexico City.*

“With the DOT’s approval, we are excited to now make these destinations available for sale to both AirTran and Southwest’s Customers,” said Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines’ Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer and AirTran Airways President. “The new service is another direct benefit of Southwest’s acquisition of AirTran as we take low fares farther by expanding our route maps to more places Customers want to go.”

Examples of these one-way fares include (see Fare Rules below):

AirTran new service beginning May 24, 2012 (open for sale today):

• $119 one-way between San Antonio and Cancun
• $119 one-way between San Antonio and Mexico City

AirTran new service beginning June 3, 2012 (open for sale today):

• $119 one-way between Orange County and Cabo San Lucas/San Jose del Cabo
• $109 one-way between Orange County and Mexico City

To celebrate the new international service, AirTran launched a fare sale today with fares as low as $109 one-way between the new destinations.  Customers must book by Dec. 19, 2011, in order to take advantage of these low fares. Currently, all reservations for AirTran flights—including international destinations—must be booked on www.airtran.com, by calling AirTran reservations at (800) 247-8726, or through a travel agent. Southwest Customers can now see AirTran’s nonstop international routes on southwest.com through its new web referral tool which links Customers directly to www.airtran.com. When Customers select an international itinerary from a nonstop destination on Southwest’s site, they will then be directed to www.airtran.com where they can complete the booking process.  All flights booked on www.airtran.com will be subject to AirTran’s policies and procedures.

To support the new international flights out of Orange County’s John Wayne International Airport, a market AirTran does not currently serve, AirTran will add domestic service between San Francisco and Orange County with one daily roundtrip flight, and one daily roundtrip flight between Las Vegas and Orange County, beginning June 3, 2012.

DALLAS, July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today reported June 2011 traffic results for Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways.  AirTran Airways became a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. (“the Company”) on May 2, 2011.  For purposes of comparability, the Company is providing combined traffic results for Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways for periods prior to the acquisition date.   See the accompanying tables for combined and individual results.

The Company flew 9.6 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in June 2011, compared to 9.0 billion combined RPMs flown in June 2010, an increase of 7.5 percent.  Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 6.2 percent to 11.5 billion from the June 2010 combined level of 10.8 billion.  The load factor for June 2011 was 83.9 percent, compared to the combined load factor of 82.8 percent in June 2010.

For June 2011, Southwest Airlines’ passenger revenue per ASM (excluding AirTran Airways) is estimated to have increased approximately five percent as compared to June 2010.

For the second quarter 2011, the Company flew 27.6 billion combined RPMs, compared to 25.4 billion combined RPMs flown for the same period in 2010, an increase of 8.8 percent.  The combined second quarter 2011 ASMs increased 6.0 percent to 33.6 billion, compared to the combined level of 31.7 billion for the same period in 2010.  The combined second quarter 2011 load factor was 82.2 percent, compared to the combined load factor of 80.1 percent for the same period in 2010.

For the first half of 2011, the Company flew 51.4 billion combined RPMs, compared to 46.9 billion combined RPMs flown for the same period in 2010, an increase of 9.4 percent.  The combined year-to-date ASMs increased 6.5 percent to 63.9 billion in 2011, compared to the combined level of 60.0 billion for the same period in 2010.  The combined year-to-date load factor was 80.4 percent, compared to the combined load factor of  78.2 percent for the same period in 2010.

This release, as well as past news releases about Southwest Airlines Co., is available online at southwest.com.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

From Southwest Chairman:
Gary Kelly
Chairman, President, & CEO
Southwest Airlines
May 2 2011

It brings me great joy and tremendous pride to announce today that Southwest Airlines has closed on the transaction to acquire AirTran Airways. Today is an exciting day for both airlines. Today, we let the ink dry and celebrate. Of course, all good things take time — and change will not be immediate. For now, Southwest and AirTran will continue to operate as two separate carriers as work begins “behind the scenes” to integrate the operations and to eventually provide a uniform Customer Experience. In the meantime, our Employees will do what they do best by delivering world-class Customer Service. All Customer travel plans and investments in each airline’s respective loyalty program are safe — Customers can continue to earn and redeem in both programs independently. Customers will continue to book Southwest flights through southwest.com and AirTran flights through airtran.com. We will maintain our respective and separate operating and service policies as we work towards a Single Operating Certificate. Combined, we have the unique opportunity to extend our network into key markets that would be impossible independently — with the prospect to serve more than 100 million Customers annually from more than 100 different airports in the U.S. and near-international destinations. Over time, as we continue to combine the two networks, we will grow and expand our network to provide Customers more low fare options into exciting new places. I’m excited just thinking about the opportunities. Once integration is complete, we will have one Brand, one Customer Experience, one livery, one operation under a Single Operating Certificate, and one Mission — to give the world the Freedom to Fly while spreading low fares farther. Gary Kelly Chairman, President, & CEO Southwest Airlines

ORLANDO, Fla., April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. , announced today that the highly regarded Airline Quality Rating (AQR) has once again selected the carrier as the top ranked airline.

The AQR study was developed in 1991 as an objective method for assessing airline quality. It is conducted jointly by Dr. Dean Headley, professor at Wichita State University and Dr. Brent Bowen, professor at Purdue University. AirTran Airways ranked first overall in 2008 and has been the number one low-cost carrier for four consecutive years.

“Being rated the top airline in the AQR is a reflection of our 8,300 Crew Members’ daily dedication to our customers,” said Bob Fornaro, chairman, president and CEO of AirTran Airways. “It is particularly rewarding this year as we continue to prepare to join Southwest Airlines, pending regulatory approval, later this year. There can be no better validation of our Crew Members’ focus on maintaining one of the best airlines in the industry than this honor.”

The AQR reports that AirTran Airways maintained its industry leading mishandled baggage rate, dropping to an industry best 1.63 per 1,000 passengers in 2010 (from 1.67 per 1,000 passengers in 2009). The Airline Quality Rating 2011 reflects monthly scores for the calendar year 2010 and is based on four major areas: on-time performance, denied boardings, mishandled baggage and customer complaints.

The airline has enjoyed several accolades in the past year in addition to the AQR, including being named top airline in The Wall Street Journal’s annual airline scorecard, receiving the Market Leadership Award from leading industry publication Air Transport World and being selected best value airline by SmarterTravel.

AirTran Airways is a Fortune 1000 company and has been ranked the top airline in the Airline Quality Rating study twice in the past four years.  AirTran is the only major airline with Gogo Inflight Internet on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet. Our low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight.

ORLANDO, Fla., March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), launched a sale today for travel to all of the airline’s destinations. Travelers may purchase these sale fares at www.airtran.com, from their local travel agent or via AirTran Airways’ reservations system at 1-800-AIR-TRAN. For Spanish, call 1-877-581-9842.

These special fares are available for purchase through March 10, 2011, and are good for travel from March 18, 2011, through May 18, 2011, for Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle and March 18, 2011, through June 22, 2011, to the airline’s more than 60 other destinations. Off-peak sale fares for the continental U.S. are valid for travel on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Peak sale fares for the continental U.S. are valid for travel on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

For customers travelling to one of AirTran’s Caribbean destinations, Bermuda, Florida or Mexico, off-peak sale fares are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Peak fares to those destinations are valid on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Like all AirTran Airways fares, prices included in this sale are available for one-way travel and do not require a roundtrip purchase or an overnight stay. These sale fares require a 10-day advance purchase.

AirTran Airways is a Fortune 1000 company and has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past three years. AirTran Airways is the only major airline with Gogo Inflight Internet on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet. Our low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit www.airtran.com

*All fares are one-way. All fares are non-refundable and a $75 fee per person applies to any change made after purchase, plus any applicable increase in airfare. Ten–day advance purchase required. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Tickets must be purchased by March 10, 2011. Sale fares to/from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle is valid through May 18, 2011. Sale fares for the rest

Sale fares for the rest of the system are valid for travel through June 22, 2011. Off-peak sale fares for Continental U.S. travel are valid on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and peak sale fares for Continental U.S. travel are valid Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Off-peak sale fares to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Florida and Mexico are valid for travel on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Off-peak sale fares from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Florida and Mexico are valid for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Peak sale fares to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Florida and Mexico are valid for travel on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday. Peak sale fares from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Florida and Mexico are valid for travel on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Blackout dates are as follows: April 21-25, 2011, April 30, 2011 through May 1, 2011, May 26-28, 2011 and May 30, 2011. Service between San Juan and Tampa begins April 5, 2011. Service to/from Bermuda begins on April 7, 2011. Service to/from Tunica, MS, ends May 2, 2011. Service on some itineraries may be provided by our partner SkyWest Airlines. A first bag may be checked for a fee of $20 each way and a second bag may be checked for a fee of $25 each way. Reservations may be made via AirTran Airways Telephone Reservations Center for a fee of $15.

Reservations may also be changed via AirTran Airways Telephone Reservations Center for a $15 fee plus any applicable change fees and fare differences. Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice. Fares shown do not include Airport Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18. The September 11th security fee of up to $10 is not included. Fares do not include segment taxes of $3.70 per segment. A segment is defined as a takeoff and a landing. Fares to/from Puerto Rico do not include additional government taxes of up to $32.60. Fares to/from Mexico and the Caribbean do not include additional government taxes of up to $100.
SOURCE AirTran Airways

ORLANDO, Fla. and PARK RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. and The Hertz Corporation’s online car sales program, Hertz Rent2Buy, announced today a new partnership to enable customers to earn free* flights while getting a great deal on a vehicle.

The program provides 16 AirTran Airways A+ Rewards credits, redeemable for a round- trip coach ticket valid to any AirTran Airways destination, to A+ Rewards members purchasing a vehicle through Hertz Rent2Buy.

“As long-time partners, Hertz is excited to add an additional level of benefits to its AirTran A+ Rewards partnership,” commented Bob Stuart, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, Hertz.  ”A+ Rewards members who purchase a vehicle through Hertz’ online car sales program, Rent2Buy, will be able to travel on the ground in a quality, used car, while traveling the skies for free* with A+ Rewards credits from Hertz.”

Hertz Rent2Buy is an online car sales program that allows customers to reserve a rental car they may want to buy for a three-day test drive. Used car shoppers visit www.hertzrent2buy.com and select the car of their choice at a convenient Hertz location. Customers have full use of the vehicle for up to three days. A customer who chooses to purchase the vehicle simply keeps the car and pays the listed price without any haggling, and the rental fee, other than any fee for optional products purchased, is waived. For customers who choose to purchase the car, competitive finance options are available to simplify the payment process. If the customer decides not to purchase the car, the vehicle is returned to the rental location and the transaction is treated as a standard rental.

“AirTran Airways is proud to build on our long-standing partnership with The Hertz Corporation for this one-of-a-kind program that allows our A+ Rewards members to get a great deal on a car while earning A+ Rewards credits for a free* flight,” said Tad Hutcheson, AirTran Airways’ Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “We see this as a win-win for our most loyal customers.”

AirTran Airways and The Hertz Corporation have been partners since 1993. Hertz became the exclusive rental car partner of AirTran Airways in 1997.  AirTran is the first airline to partner with Hertz on the Rent2Buy program.

Free Hertz Rental Car Upgrade from ComparisonTravel.com:  through 12/31/11

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc., (NYSE: AAI), advises passengers that due to a winter weather system expected to affect the Midwest and Northeast, some flight operations may be affected, resulting in flight delays and/or cancellations.

Passengers scheduled for travel January 31, 2011, through February 2, 2011, on AirTran Airways to/from the following airports may change their reservation without penalty through February 10, 2011, based on space availability without fees or fare adjustments:

Due to heavy call volume at 1-800-AIRTRAN (247-8726), passengers are encouraged to manage their travel at www.airtran.com. Passengers holding reservations for travel to/from these northeastern airports should also check www.airtran.com under “Flight Status” for real-time updates.

AirTran Airways is a Fortune 1,000 company and has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past two years.  AirTran is the only major airline with Wi-Fi on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet. Its low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight.

Reuters reports rising fuel costs depressed the bottom line for AirTran Holdings Inc last quarter.

AirTran expects to be acquired by Southwest later this year.