DALLAS, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today began service to the
carrier's 100th city, Havana,
Cuba, with inaugural celebration on flights departing two
U.S. gateway airports, Tampa International and Ft.
Lauderdale-Hollywood International. Southwest Employees and
Executive Leaders joined Customers in traveling aboard the
first-ever Southwest flights to Havana. The Company's social media fans joined
a conversation by sharing memories and images of the milestone day
through the hashtag #Southwest100.
"I'm grateful to our more than 53,000 Southwest Employees and
everyone who's been part of our Southwest Family during the past 45
years who built our airline to this moment in history—we now
operate flights from 100 cities across nine countries," said Gary
Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, & CEO, before a
welcoming delegation at Jose Marti International Airport in
Havana. "Our daily nonstop flight
from Tampa and twice daily service
from Fort Lauderdale bring
additional vital links for our Customers who count on us to connect
them with places and people that are important in their lives
through unmatched value in air travel."
Service to Santa Clara, Cuba,
the carrier's 101st city served, begins this
Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016. Service to
Varadero, Cuba, began Nov. 13, 2016.
From its first flights on June 18,
1971, connecting a triangle of Texas cities with a fleet of just three
aircraft, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented
affordability in air travel. The U.S. Department of
Transportation later described this phenomenon as "The Southwest
Effect," a lowering of fares that increases passenger traffic in
new, nonstop markets the carrier serves. Now, with more than 53,000
Employees, Southwest carries more than 100 million people annually
aboard the world's largest fleet of Boeing aircraft. With 43
consecutive years of profitability behind it, Southwest also is
widely recognized as one of the most honored airlines in the
world.
Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer all Customers
its bags fly free® policy (applies to the first and second checked
pieces of luggage, with applicable size and weight limitations) and
never charges change fees, though fare differences could apply when
plans change.
"Some airlines allow free checked bags on select routes or only
in qualified circumstances. In contrast, we proudly offer two free
checked bags to every Customer because it's a foundational value in
every fare we sell," Kelly said. "In our fifth decade of service,
we're now seeing the Southwest Effect in international markets as
our Customer-friendly policies reach beyond the U.S. border on our
growing route map."
In 2014, Southwest began international service that now touches
more than a dozen airports across eight additional countries with
service offered from gateway cities across the continental United
States. The Our History section of the Southwest Newsroom at
swamedia.com features a full rundown of Southwest's unique
history. Video and photos from today's historic flights also are
available on the site.
MORE ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest operates more than 3,900 departures a day during peak
travel season across a network of 100 destinations in the United States and eight additional
countries.
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 majority of
Southwest's fleet is equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing
gate-to-gate connectivity that enables Customers to use personal
devices to view on-demand movies and television shows, as well as
nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of its valued
Partners.
Southwest created Transfarency®, a philosophy which
treats Customers honestly and fairly, and in which low fares
actually stay low.
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.
Southwest is 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.