Southwest Airlines Crosses 100 Flight Milestone In Latin America And The Caribbean

DALLAS, June 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines® (NYSE: LUV) for the first time will operate a summer Saturday schedule of 104 scheduled flights among a dozen airports in the continental United States and ten cities across the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America.

"Our People have worked hard to bring Southwest's value and brand promise of great service, lower fares, bags fly free®* and no change fees to destinations outside the contiguous states where it made sense for us to grow," said Bob Jordan, Southwest's Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Vice President.  "As an example, this new, weekly flight between BWI and Los Cabos gives our Customers the fastest route between the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. and the tip of the Baja peninsula."

At Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) near San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, Southwest flight 394 touched down today from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), and was welcomed with a ceremonial water arch and a reception at the gate.  The nonstop service to/from BWI and the international airport in Baja California Sur operates weekly on Saturdays, and is the carrier's fourth nonstop market to the Cabo San Lucas region.

The carrier began service in its 95^th city, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, via Lic. Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) on Sunday, June 7, with daily, nonstop service to/from Orange County/Santa Ana (SNA) and connecting points across the U.S.  The carrier has also announced daily, nonstop service between PVR and both Denver and Houston (Hobby).  The Ministers of Tourism for both Mexican States of Jalisco and Nayarit are expected to welcome Southwest Airlines in its first month of serving Puerto Vallarta on June 18, the carrier's 44th birthday.

Southwest spread its wings beyond the 48 contiguous United States in April 2013 with service to San Juan, Puerto Rico.  The carrier's international operations began less than a year ago on July 1, 2014, and include daily, near-international or longer-distance/over-water flights from a dozen gateway cities:  Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago (Midway), Denver, Houston (Hobby), Fort Lauderdale, Milwaukee, Orange County/Santa Ana, Orlando, San Antonio, and Tampa Bay.  Southwest offers service between the U.S. mainland and San Juan, Puerto Rico, along with these destinations in six countries:  Cancun, Mexico City, San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; San Jose, Costa Rica; Oranjestad, Aruba; Nassau, The Bahamas; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Next up for Southwest is previously announced scheduled service to the carrier's seventh near-international country and 96^th destination, Belize City, Belize, made possible by a $156 million international terminal facility at Houston (Hobby) scheduled to open Oct. 15, 2015.  Then, on Nov. 1, Southwest begins previously announced scheduled service between Houston and the carrier's 97^th city, Liberia, Costa Rica.  Both routes are subject to foreign government approval.

Visit swamedia.com for a map showing Southwest's announced international routes and a fact sheet showing the starting dates of service for all cities in the Southwest network of communities.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 44th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 47,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest operates more than 3,600 flights a day, serving 95 destinations across the United States and six additional countries.  Southwest service to Belize City, Belize, begins October 15, 2015, and Liberia, Costa Rica, on November 1, 2015, both routes are subject to foreign government approval.

Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate connectivity while over the United States.  That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to access streaming music provided by Beats Music or to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of our valued Partners. *Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free®  to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some airlines may allow free checked bags on select routes or for qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply. In 2014, the airline proudly unveiled a bold new look:  Heart.  The new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what's important in their lives. In 2014, the airline proudly unveiled a bold new look:  Heart.  The new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what's important in their lives.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new markets.  With 42 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2014 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at SouthwestOneReport.com.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

Related Links

http://www.southwest.com

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