Southwest Airlines Celebrates Ten Years of LUV in Albany

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May 07, 2010, 10:36 ET

DALLAS, May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and its 45 Albany Employees today are celebrating the airline's tenth year of service at the Albany International Airport (ALB).

"The city of Albany and the Upstate New York area has been a great home to Southwest for the past ten years," stated John Ryckman, Southwest Airlines' Albany Station Leader. "Our Employees take great pride in bringing low fares, legendary customer service, and industry-leading ontime performance to our Customers here in the Empire State."

"Southwest Airlines instilled a level of competition at Albany International Airport that resulted in lower fares, improved service, and opened the world of flight to thousands of individuals and families," said David E. Langdon, Chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority.

Albany (ALB) statistics:

Southwest began service in ALB on May 7, 2000, with 10 daily nonstop departures to three cities, Baltimore/Washington, Las Vegas, and Orlando
Southwest currently offers 13 daily nonstop departures to six cities: Baltimore/Washington, Chicago (Midway), Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Tampa Bay
Southwest gives Customers the Freedom to Fly from Albany to 59 destinations across the country on convenient nonstop, direct, or connecting service.
There are 45 Southwest Employees based in Albany
Albany was the 55th Station to open its doors in the Southwest Airlines system

Southwest Airlines is celebrating with its Employees and Customers today at its gates at Albany International Airport. To celebrate the occasion, the Employees of Southwest Airlines are hosting a celebration at its gates in ALB, complete with gate games, decorations, a DJ, and the legendary Southwest Airlines fun-luving attitude!

Additionally, our ALB Employees are Sharing their Spirit locally and have started a collection drive for items needed for the Life Essentials program of the City Mission of Schenectady (www.citymission.com). This program at City Mission provides those in the community with basic needs, such as food, clothing, and necessary, but limited, furniture. Southwest Airlines' Employees proudly Share the Spirit through volunteering in the communities where they work and live.

Southwest is the only U.S. airline to remain consistently profitable this decade. Southwest has among the lowest cost structures and strongest balance sheets of any major U.S. airline. At Southwest Airlines, Customers get low fares and no hidden fees. You can check your first two bags for free, there are no change fees, no fees for a window or aisle seat, and, as always, snacks, sodas, and smiles are all complimentary!

After more than 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation's leading low-fare carrier, 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), the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, currently serves 68 cities in 35 states (with additional service to Panama City Beach, Fla., May 23, 2010). Based in Dallas, Southwest operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.

www.southwest.com

SOURCE Southwest Airlines