DALLAS, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines® (NYSE: LUV) announced today that the airline ranked as
the top airline employer, and one of the top 20 best employers
overall, according to Forbes' inaugural list of America's Best
Employers for 2015. Southwest was in the top 20, coming in at #18
out of 500 companies to make the list.
"I am honored to share this recognition with all of our People
at Southwest," said Gary Kelly,
Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and Chief Executive
Officer. "We're so fortunate to have Employees who consider
their work a calling. This is a testament to them, and their
passion for our common purpose—to connect People to what's
important in their lives. Our People are an
inspiration, and it's a blessing and a joy to be part of the
Southwest Airlines Family."
Forbes and Statista.com created the list through an online
survey distributed to 20,000 workers in the United States. The survey asked employees
how likely they would be to recommend their employer, and other
employers in their industry, to someone else. The respondents
mirrored the gender, age, region, educational level, and ethnicity
of the overall U.S. workforce. The responses were compiled to rank
the 500 employers represented in the list of America's Best
Employers, including Southwest Airlines.
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 46,000 Employees
to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest
operates more than 3,400 flights a day, serving 94 destinations
across the United States and six
additional countries. Southwest service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, begins in
June 2015; and subject to government
approvals, service to Belize City,
Belize begins in October 2015.
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® (first and second
checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply), and there
are never reservation change fees, although 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.
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 2013 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found
at Southwest.com/citizenship.
Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online
at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines