DALLAS, Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced new international
service between Los Angeles
(LAX) and three airports in Mexico's coastal resort regions:
Cancun (CUN),
San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos (SJD), and Puerto Vallarta (PVR). The service is
scheduled to begin Dec. 4, subject to
approvals of the Mexican government. In celebration of the new
flights, Southwest® is offering special fares (purchase today
through Aug. 21, 2016, 11:59 p.m. in the time zone of the originating
city) for travel Dec. 4, 2016,
through March 2, 2017. Please see
below for blackout dates, valid travel days, and complete terms
& conditions for fares listed in this news release.
New nonstop
service beginning Dec. 4, 2016 from Los Angeles (LAX)
to:
|
|
|
|
Cancun
|
(twice
daily)
|
for as low as
$129 one-way*
|
San Jose del
Cabo/Los Cabos
|
(twice
daily)
|
for as low as
$129 one-way*
|
Puerto
Vallarta
|
(once
daily)
|
for as low as
$129 one-way*
|
"Southwest's approval from the DOT to operate these new routes
made history as the first authorities granted in a new agreement
between the U.S. and Mexico to
allow more service between the countries," said Paul Cullen, Vice
President and Executive Sponsor of Los
Angeles for Southwest Airlines. "We are able to do
what we have done for decades in California and in cities across the country:
enter a nonstop market, bring low fares with unmatched value, and
connect people in a more affordable way with places that are
important in their lives."
Cullen discussed the new flights with the carrier's LA Basin
Customers and Employees at a Viva Mexico! party taking place today at a
Southwest Beachfront Porch set-up in Santa Monica Place near the
Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica Pier. Traditional
Mexican dancers commemorated news of the first Mexico service from LAX by Southwest, the
largest carrier of air passengers to, from, and within the Golden
State, based on the most recent data provided by the U.S.
Department of Transportation. Southwest serves ten major
commercial airports in the state, five of which are in the LA
Basin.
"Los Angeles and Mexico share an unbreakable bond, and today
our cultural and commercial connections become even stronger," said
Mayor Eric Garcetti. "These new Southwest flights from LAX to
Mexico will expand L.A.'s global
reach, bring Angelenos closer to the people they love, and help our
city's economy continue to grow."
Late last month, the carrier received U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) approval to fly between Oakland International Airport and both
Los Cabos and Puerto
Vallarta. Also subject to Mexican governmental approval, this
new service in Northern California
would begin on Feb. 12, 2017.
Southwest already flies daily between LAX and Liberia/Guanacaste, Costa Rica, and the five new daily flights to
and from Mexico will be flown in
addition to the carrier's international service offered at John
Wayne Airport in Orange County. The carrier continues to plan
for available seat mile (ASM) growth in the 5-6 percent range in
2016.
*FARE TERMS & CONDITIONS
Purchase Aug.18-21, 2016, 11:59
p.m. in the respective time zone of the originating city.
International travel is valid Dec. 4,
2016, through March 2, 2017.
Sale fares to international destinations are blacked out
Dec. 24-26, 2016; sale fares from
international destinations are blacked out Dec. 31, 2016 – Jan. 2,
2017. Travel to Cancun,
Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos and Puerto
Vallarta is valid only on Sundays through Wednesdays. Travel
from Cancun, Cabo San Lucas/Los
Cabos and Puerto Vallarta
is valid only on Tuesdays through Fridays. Fares are valid only on
nonstop service. Displayed prices include all U.S. and
international government taxes and fees. Points bookings do not
include taxes, fees, and other government/airport charges of at
least $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 the reservation is canceled at
least ten minutes prior to the scheduled departure of the 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 only to published, scheduled service.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation,
statements related to the Company's anticipated service offerings
and fares and network and capacity plans, opportunities, and
expectations. These statements involve risks, uncertainties,
assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and
that could cause actual results to vary materially from those
expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others,
(i) the impact of economic conditions, consumer behavior, fuel
prices, actions of competitors (including without limitation
pricing, scheduling, and capacity decisions and consolidation and
alliance activities), and other factors beyond the Company's
control, on the Company's business decisions, plans, and
strategies; (ii) the impact of governmental regulations and other
governmental actions related to the Company's operations; and (iii)
other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors
discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2015.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 46th 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 52,000 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 98 destinations in the United States and seven additional
countries with service to three airports in Cuba expected to begin later this year,
subject to governmental approvals.
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. The
airline proudly unveiled a bold new look: Heart.
A new logo, aircraft livery, interior design featuring a new seat
and Flight Attendant galley, Employee-designed uniforms, and an
updated airport experience all showcase the dedication of Southwest
Employees who 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.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southwest-airlines-to-fly-nonstop-between-los-angeles-lax-and-cancun-los-cabos-and-puerto-vallarta-mexico-300315695.html
SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.