The Civic 50 Names Southwest Airlines In Top 20 Of Most Community-Minded Companies In America

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Nov 09, 2012, 09:00 ET

DALLAS, Nov. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Civic 50 today revealed the companies who ranked in its national initiative to survey, rank, and recognize America's S&P 500 most community-minded companies, naming Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) in the top 20 for demonstrating a strong commitment to corporate civic engagement in the communities where Southwest does business. A partnership among Bloomberg News, the National Conference on Citizenship, and Points of Light, the Civic 50 survey is the first to scientifically measure corporate civic behavior. The initiative fills a notable gap in existing research and creates a roadmap for businesses seeking to become better stewards of their community. To view the complete Civic 50 list, visit Businessweek's web site.

"At Southwest, we consider citizenship an extension of our mission and longstanding history to do the right thing for our People, our Communities, and our Planet, while maintaining our commitment to sustaining a strong business model," said Ginger Hardage, Senior Vice President of Culture & Communications at Southwest Airlines. "Southwest wants to continue providing our Legendary Customer Service for many years to come, and building meaningful relationships in our communities is essential to that goal."

Since Southwest's beginnings more than 40 years ago, the LUV airline has always approached business differently—instituting the ten-minute turn, democratizing the skies with affordable air travel, delivering Legendary Customer Service—the list goes on and on. One thing that has remained constant since Southwest took to the skies four decades ago is doing the right thing and focusing on the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 42^nd year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating passengers boarded, and including wholly-owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways, operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve 97 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and six near-international countries. Southwest 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 about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good corporate citizen, visit southwest.com/citizenship to read the Southwest Airlines One Report™.

Southwest Airlines

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel quantified by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves. On every flight, Southwest offers Customers the first two pieces of checked luggage (weight and size limitations apply) and all ticket changes without additional fees. Southwest's all-Boeing fleet consistently offers leather seating and the comfort of full-size cabins, many of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi connectivity and a new, eco-friendly cabin interior. With 39 consecutive years of profitability, the People of Southwest operate more than 3,100 flights a day and serve communities around 78 airports in Southwest's network of domestic destinations. Southwest Airlines' frequent flights and low fares are available only at southwest.com.

AirTran Airways

AirTran Airways, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co., offers coast-to-coast and near-international service with close to 600 flights a day to 54 destinations. The carrier's high-quality product includes assigned seating and Business Class. As Southwest continues to integrate AirTran's People, places, and planes into Southwest Airlines, Customers of both carriers may book flights at airtran.com and exchange earned loyalty points between both AirTran's A+ Rewards® and Southwest's Rapid Rewards® for reward travel on either airline.

www.southwest.com

SOURCE Southwest Airlines