DALLAS, April 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines® (NYSE: LUV) today celebrates more than 30 years of
service in the state of Missouri
with the unveiling of the Airline's newest specialty aircraft,
named Missouri One—a Boeing 737-700.
Southwest and state and local government leaders revealed the
aircraft in Kansas City, where
Southwest first began its Missouri
service in 1982. The aircraft, emblazoned with an artist's
rendition of the Missouri state
flag, was unveiled at a ceremony this morning at the Kansas City location of Aviation Technical
Services, with whom Southwest has partnered for more than 35 years.
Southwest Employees, community members, and executives were on
hand, including Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO
Gary Kelly.
"Kansas City and St. Louis have been vital cities in our
network for more than 30 years," Kelly said to an enthusiastic
crowd at the unveiling. "I couldn't think of a better way to
'show' our love to our Employees, Customers, and friends in the
great state of Missouri than by
dedicating this high-flying salute to them!"
Further demonstrating Southwest's dedication to both the
Kansas City and St. Louis communities, Southwest donated
$5,000 each to Science City at Union
Station and the St. Louis Science Center. The funds will help
support Science City's Summer Camp,
which sparks interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering,
art, and math) for children ages 6-12 through interactive,
challenging, and fun activities, and contribute toward scholarships
for the St. Louis Science Center's Flight Academy Camp.
"We've always valued the enduring partnership between the state
of Missouri and Southwest
Airlines," said Governor Jay Nixon.
"As a tribute to 30 years of quality service by Southwest and
Missouri's proud aerospace legacy,
this magnificent plane will showcase the Show-Me State's aerospace
strength around the world."
Kansas City band Lost Wax
performed as attendees enjoyed local coffee from The Roasterie
Coffee Company, and cheered as Kelly, Governor Nixon, and
Kansas City Mayor Sly James closed
the event by christening the aircraft amid fanfare. The plane then
proceeded to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport for additional
festivities, featuring Mayor Francis
Slay.
In celebration of Missouri One, Southwest today launched
a special three-day fare sale with fares as low as $59* one-way from both Kansas City and St.
Louis to select destinations nationwide (see fare rules
below). These low fares are available for purchase only at
Southwest.com, Swabiz.com, or by calling
1-800-I-FLY-SWA, today through April 17,
2015, 11:59 p.m. PT for travel
Aug. 25 through Oct. 28, 2015.
Some blackout dates apply. See fare rules below for details.
Fare Examples:
Kansas City to St. Louis as low as $59 one-way
St. Louis to New Orleans as low as $99 one-way
Kansas City to Dallas (Love
Field) as low as $69
one-way
St. Louis to Atlanta as low as $99 one-way
Kansas City to New York (LaGuardia) as low as $109 one-way
Kansas City to Phoenix as low as $144 one-way
St. Louis to San Francisco Bay Area (SFO) as low as
$154 one-way
Southwest Airlines began service in Kansas City on Feb. 18,
1982, with six daily nonstop departures to two cities. The
airline currently operates 68 daily nonstop departures to 26
destinations from Kansas City.
Southwest began service in St.
Louis on March 17, 1985, with
17 daily nonstop departures to four cities. The airline currently
operates 88 daily nonstop flights to 34 destinations from
St. Louis.
Kansas City International
Airport is Southwest's 17th largest operation in terms
of daily departures. Lambert International Airport is Southwest's
13th largest operation in terms of daily departures.
Combining these stations, Missouri
represents the 9th largest state in the Southwest network in terms
of daily departures. Together, Southwest employs more than 550
people in Missouri.
Missouri One joins nine other 737s in the Southwest fleet
that carry unique, state-themed paint schemes: Arizona One,
California One, Colorado One, Florida One, Illinois One,
Lone Star One (Texas), Maryland One, Nevada One, and
New Mexico One.
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 3,600 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) to
everyone, 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.
Fare Rules:
Purchase from April 15 through April 17,
2015, 11:59 p.m. for the
respective time zone of the originating city. Travel Aug. 25 through Oct. 28, 2015. Blackout Dates
Apply: Sept. 3 - 5; Sept. 7, 2015. Travel not valid on Fridays and
Sundays. Fares valid on nonstop service only. Displayed prices
include all U.S. and international government taxes and fees.
Points bookings do not include September
11th Security Fee of $5.60 per
one-way flight. Seats and days are limited. Fares may vary by
destination, flight, and day of week and won't be available on some
flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday
periods. Travel is available for one-way Wanna Get Away®
Fares. Fares may be combined with other Southwest Airlines
combinable fares. If combining with other fares, the most
restrictive fare's rules apply. Sale fares may be available on
other days of week, but not guaranteed. Fares are nonrefundable but
may be applied toward future travel on Southwest Airlines®, so long
as you cancel your reservations at least ten minutes prior to the
scheduled departure of your flight. Failure to cancel prior
to departure will result in forfeiture of remaining funds on the
reservation. Any change in itinerary may result in an
increase in fare. Standby travel requires an upgrade to the Anytime
Fare. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Offer
applies to published, scheduled service only.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines