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The People of Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) today delivered an early Valentine’s gift to travelers who have long-awaited the Atlanta arrival of the carrier’s legendary low fares and positively outrageous Customer Service.  Continuing the 40-year mission to serve in its communities, Southwest also announced the launch of LUV Grants for Good, making available $150,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations from across the State of Georgia.

“Our service from Atlanta brings greatly reduced fares with new flexibility and value for both leisure and business Customers,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest’s Chairman, President, and CEO, at a news conference Monday afternoon in the airport’s main terminal.

Employees of Southwest Airlines celebrated the milestone in a LUV-themed ceremony featuring congratulations from Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Aviation General Manager Louis Miller, and a cadre of excited Southwest Customers and airport employees.

“Southwest Airlines will significantly expand the tradition of excellent customer service and low fares that we have come to expect from AirTran Airways over the past 15 years,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. “Hartsfield-Jackson Airport prides itself on serving more than 90 million passengers every year, and Southwest’s presence will further assure our airport remains as the busiest passenger airport on the planet.”

Following on months of community service performed around Greater Atlanta even prior to the August 2011 announcement of Southwest service, Kelly also announced the launch of an online essay and video contest to award $150,000 in LUV Grants for Good across the State.  The contest is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits which meet guidelines and rules, available atsouthwest.com/luvgrants.

The public will have an opportunity to vote and select the winning six organizations from a pool of finalists that produce videos on how they would use money to show love to the communities they serve.  Those finalists will have been selected from essays submitted online and judged by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits and Southwest Airlines.

In accepting the gift on behalf of all Georgians, Governor Deal said, “Southwest Airlines has established itself as a first-rate corporate citizen in our State by creating LUV Grants for Goodto celebrate their arrival in our community. This program will benefit the people of Georgia, who welcome Southwest, their good works, and the wonderful opportunities they bring to our great State.”

Today’s initial schedule of 15 flights to five nonstop destinations, with additional same-plane and connecting service to 48 destinations across the country, is just the beginning of a beautiful partnership between the world’s busiest airport and the largest airline in the nation, as measured by the U.S. Department of Transportation in terms of originating passengers boarded.  Daily nonstop service between Atlanta and Austin, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago Midway, Denver, and Houston (Hobby), will grow next month with the addition of nonstop service to and from both Las Vegas and Phoenix starting March 10.  Southwest also will add nonstop service beginning June 10 between Atlanta and Los Angeles and will offer additional nonstop service connecting Atlanta to Louisville, Norfolk/Virginia Beach, and Seattle starting August 12.  All flights are available for sale now at southwest.com.

Southwest’s arrival also brings Cargo Customers expedited air cargo service between Atlanta and more than 90 destinations across the map. From a brand new facility constructed at the Atlanta airport, Southwest Employees now offer award-winning Customer Service with complimentary Road Feeder Service and interline destinations.

“We’re opening Southwest service to Atlanta with more flights than our traditional start, and we have big plans for the city,” Kelly told the crowd.  Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. acquired AirTran Airways, Atlanta’s second-largest carrier, in May 2010, yet maintains two separate airlines until a full integration over the next several years.  The carrier anticipates obtaining a Single Operating Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration in the first quarter of this year, the first step in allowing that process to unfold.  AirTran Employees, aircraft, and gates in Atlanta will convert to Southwest Airlines in the future.

With the addition of Atlanta, Southwest Airlines adds Georgia, as its 38th State, to a route map of service now totaling 73 U.S. airports.  As of today, AirTran serves 52 cities nonstop from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, including near-international routes to Mexico and the Caribbean.

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, Nov. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ –  Southwest Airlines has launched a four-day winter sale with air fares starting as low as $59 one-way to select destinations nationwide (*see fare rules below). These super low fares are available for purchase only at southwest.com or swabiz.com today through Dec. 1, 2011, 11:59 pm PST.  The 10-day advance purchase fares are available for travel all days of the week except Sunday between Dec. 8, 2011, and Feb. 15, 2012 (blackout dates apply). To see the list of markets, prices, and to take advantage of these special fares, visit www.southwest.com.

Examples of fares include (see *Additional Fare Rules below):

• $59 one-way between Los Angeles and Phoenix
• $79 one-way between Austin and Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood
• $89 one-way between Boston and Raleigh-Durham
• $109 one-way between Orlando and Milwaukee

In addition, Southwest also announced a Cyber Monday one-day only sale for 50 percent off of roundtrip Wanna Get Away fares for travel to and from Reno and Panama City Beach (**see fare rules below.) These discounted fares are available for purchase only at southwest.com or swabiz.com through 11:59 p.m. PST today, Nov. 28, 2011.  The fares are available for travel all days of the week between Dec. 12, 2011, and May 17, 2012 (blackout dates apply). To see the list of markets, prices, and to take advantage of these special fares, visit www.southwest.com.

AirTran Airways, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest, also lowered its fares with a sale starting today! Please visit www.airtran.com to see list a list of markets and fares.

ADDITIONAL FARE RULES

*Fares are available only on www.southwest.com and www.swabiz.com and can be purchased today, through Dec. 1, 2011, 11:59 pm PST, with a 10-day advance purchase required.  Travel must take place between Dec. 8, 2011, and Feb. 15, 2012. Fares are valid for travel on all days of the week except Sundays.  Blackout dates apply for Dec. 22, 2011 through Jan. 3, 2012. Fares do not include a federal segment tax of $3.70 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 is not available to/from Panama City Beach, FL and Reno, NV. Seats are limited. Fares may vary by destinations, flight, and day of week and won’t 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, except Senior 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. Fares are valid on published, scheduled service only.

**Fifty percent discount valid for use at www.southwest.com or www.swabiz.com off the total amount of a roundtrip Wanna Get Away Fare purchase before taxes and fees. Purchase must be made on November 28, 2011, for travel between Dec. 12, 2011 and May 17, 2012 with a seven day advance purchase required. Blackout dates apply for Dec. 22, 2011 through Jan. 3, 2012.  If any portion of travel falls on a blackout date, the discount will not apply. Discount is only valid for travel to/from Reno-Tahoe International Airport and/or Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. The discount is only valid with the provided Promotion Code and is not combinable with other Promotion Codes or fares available exclusively through the web tool DING!.This promotion includes only Wanna Get Away Fares. Discount is not valid on reservations made using Rapid Rewards Points. Changes made to the itinerary after purchase may eliminate qualifications for this promotion.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

DALLAS, July 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) announced its newest fare sale today, and it’s sure to give Customers even more reasons to book fall and winter travel! The sale offers nationwide air fares starting as low as $59 one-way to select destinations. Take advantage of these super low fares available only at southwest.com! These fares are available today through July 14, 2011, 11:59 pm PDT, and are good for travel Aug. 23, 2011, through Dec. 14, 2011. To see the list of markets, prices, and to take advantage of these special fares, visit www.southwest.com.

Examples of fares include (see Additional Fare Rules below):

• $59 one-way between Phoenix and Los Angeles
• $89 one-way between Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood and Raleigh/Durham
• $95 one-way between Denver and Las Vegas

In its 40th year of service, 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 recently acquired AirTran Airways, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. Southwest serves 72 cities in 37 states and is 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/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.

ADDITIONAL FARE RULES

Fares are available only on www.southwest.com. Southwest Airlines fare sale is available July 5, 2011, through July 14, 2011, 11:59 pm PDT and travel must take place between Aug. 23, 2011 and December 14, 2011. Travel valid every day except Fridays and Sundays. Blackout dates apply: Sept. 1 through Sept. 5, 2011, and Nov. 17 through Nov. 29, 2011. Fares do not include a federal segment tax of $3.70 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 not available to/from Albany, NY; Charleston, SC; Washington (Dulles), D.C.; New York (LaGuardia), NY; Ft. Myers, FL. Seats are limited. Fares may vary by destinations, flight, and day of week and won’t 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 but 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.

www.southwest.com

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

DALLAS, March 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today that the Company flew 5.6 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in February 2011, a 13.0 percent increase from the 5.0 billion RPMs flown in February 2010. Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 8.6 percent to 7.3 billion from the February 2010 level of 6.8 billion. The load factor for the month was 76.9 percent, compared to 73.9 percent for the same period last year. For February 2011, passenger revenue per ASM is estimated to have increased in the eight to nine percent range compared to February 2010.

For the first two months of 2011, Southwest flew 11.9 billion RPMs, compared to 10.5 billion RPMs flown for the same period in 2010, an increase of 13.1 percent. Available seat miles increased 8.0 percent to 15.5 billion from the 2010 level of 14.4 billion. The year-to-date load factor was 76.4 percent, compared to 72.9 percent for the same period last year.

DALLAS, Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) announced today that it has reached an agreement with its Pilots, represented by the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA), on an initial Transition Agreement that establishes a procedural framework for eventually integrating the Pilots of Orlando-based AirTran Airways into Southwest. The integration addressed by the agreement would follow the official legal closing of Southwest’s acquisition of AirTran’s parent company, AirTran Holdings, Inc., which is currently anticipated to occur during the second quarter of 2011. Closing is subject to the approval of AirTran stockholders, receipt of certain regulatory clearances, and fulfillment of customary closing conditions.

With this initial transition agreement, Southwest and SWAPA establish a framework to begin an orderly transition from operating Southwest and AirTran as separate carriers, to a single carrier under one Single Operating Certificate (SOC). This transition agreement is an integral first step in that process.

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“This transition agreement, which was unanimously agreed to by our SWAPA Board of Directors, is an important step in the AirTran acquisition and integration process,” said Chuck Magill, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Flight Operations. “Our hard-working Pilots are now poised to begin the important and challenging work of integrating their AirTran colleagues into Southwest Airlines.”