DALLAS, June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/
-- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) is partnering once
again with Discovery Channel's Shark Week, taking television's
longest-running and most anticipated summer event to new
heights. Today, the companies unveiled the first-ever Shark
Week-themed 737-700 aircraft proudly displaying the majestic sea
life that is widely celebrated by millions during Discovery's Shark
Week, airing June 26 through July 3,
2016. The aircraft will fly as part of the carrier's fleet
through Aug. 31, 2016.
Customers who catch a glimpse of the Shark Week-themed plane
during their summer travels are encouraged to snap a photo and
share it with @SouthwestAir and @SharkWeek, using the hashtag
#SharksTakeFlight for a chance to receive fin-tastic custom Shark
Week swag.
As Shark Week fans around the globe anticipate the best week
ever, Southwest Customers can get in on the action early.
Only on Southwest Airlines can Customers enjoy exclusive,
jaw-dropping, never-before-seen content brought to you by
Discovery. Onboard Wifi-equipped flights beginning
June 1, Customers can sit back in
"Shark n' Awe" to enjoy Jungle Shark nearly one month before
airing during Shark Week.
"Now more than ever, brands have to be creative and unique in
their approach to reach new Customers," said Linda Rutherford, Chief Communication Officer
for Southwest Airlines. "Partnering with Discovery's Shark
Week allows Southwest to connect with our Customers in a fun and
memorable way. Only on Southwest can you enjoy this Shark
Week experience, and that's what it's all about."
The exclusive episode of Jungle Shark will take Customers
on a deep dive into the rainforests of Costa Rica with Marine Biologist Dr.
Craig O'Connell and Andy Casagrande to find out why young bull
sharks swim up the river, and how they avoid the 12-14' American
Crocodiles living there.
Want to head to Costa Rica to
experience Jungle Shark for yourself? Southwest can get you
there. Catch a nonstop flight to San Jose (SJO) or Liberia/Guanacaste (LIR), Costa Rica from Los
Angeles (LAX), Houston-Hobby (HOU) and Baltimore/Washington
(BWI). If shallow waters are more your thing, Southwest
and Discovery are sending a family of four on a jawsome
Mexico adventure. Enter the
Dare to Dive Sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PVR), including
roundtrip air travel for four on Southwest, a $2,000 hotel gift card, and a $1,000 Visa gift card to put toward an aquatic
excursion for the entire family. For full rules and to enter
for a chance to win, visit Southwest.com/SharkWeek.
Customers traveling today onboard the Shark Week-themed aircraft
on Flight 10 from Dallas Love Field
to Orange County/Santa Ana (SNA) will be surprised with
jaw-dropping Shark Week goodies including Shark Week-themed neck
pillows, Shark Week fin hats, "I Flew with Shark Week" buttons,
Shark Week koozies, sunglasses, and even washable tattoos!
Enjoy more Southwest Shark Week content here.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 45th 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 50,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers
annually. Southwest operates more than 3,900 departures a day
during peak travel season across a network of 97 destinations in
the United States and seven
additional countries. Service to Long
Beach, California, the carrier's 98th city,
begins June 5, 2016.
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. That connectivity enables Customers to use
their personal devices to view video on-demand movies and
television shows, as well as more than 20 channels of free, live TV
compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest created
Transfarency℠, a philosophy which treats Customers honestly
and fairly, and in which low fares actually stay low. 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.
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 43 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 2015 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.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.