2009 NEW CITY Number Four--MILWAUKEE HERE WE COME!

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2009 NEW CITY Number Four--MILWAUKEE HERE WE COME!

Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:32 — Bill Owen

Today, Southwest gave the residents of Wisconsin something to talk about around the bubbler.

We’re adding Milwaukee and General Mitchell International Airport to our network!!! Starting late this year, the home of the Cunninghams, the Fonz, Laverne and Shirley, the Bucks, the Brewers, and the Packers will become the 68th airport on the Southwest Airlines route map. (Yeah, I realize the Packers are technically based in Green Bay, but they're the professional football team for the whole state of Wisconsin, so I'll include them here!)

We know many of you in the Milwaukee area are already familiar with Southwest (low fares and GREAT Customer Service!)—but for our Customers that aren’t familiar with Milwaukee, you’ve got a treat in store for you. Besides having a vibrant business base, Milwaukee is just a lot of fun. Amazing food (please, PLEASE visit Mader’s for German food!), the arts (the Milwaukee Art Museum has masterpiece buildings designed by both Saarinen and Calatrava!), the home of Harley-Davidson (don’t miss their museum!), sausage, cheese, beer, sports, the lake….and of course, the people. Good people. Just don’t plan anything other than watching football on a Sunday afternoon when the Packers are playing. You could be very lonely…. *grin*

Milwaukee is going to be a GREAT addition to our network. Wisconsin’s legendary work ethic, which mirrors Southwest’s exceptionally productive Culture, is going to make us a great fit in the land of the Cheesehead.

2009 has turned into a banner year for new cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York LaGuardia, Boston...and now Milwaukee) at Southwest. Four new destinations this year—the most new airports we’ve added since 1996, when we added Tampa Bay, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, and Providence. But the significant difference is that in 1996 Southwest was in full growth mode in a robust economy. Now, in 2009, we’re adding all four of these cities without adding aircraft to our fleet—instead, we’re doing it by continuing to trim unpopular flights from existing markets and redeploying our resources by adding new destinations to our network. Once again—the enormous power of our Schedule Optimizer gives us the ability to reshuffle the “deck” and deploy our aircraft in a way that allows Southwest to expand our reach without expanding our fleet.

We’re still working out the details of our service at Milwaukee, but we’ll get back to you soon with the specifics. Welcome to the network, Milwaukee—and from Laverne and Shrley’s theme song—“Schlemeel…Schlemozzle….Hasenfeffer Incorporated…..We’re gonna do it!!!”

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Comments

WOW!!! Amazing!!

Oliver — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:40

wow bill, you really did your research for this press release. bravo from a milwaukee native! and welcome to our city!

aki — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:42

Outstanding! As a Milwaukee native living in KC, allow me to beg for a flight between those two cities! I'll even stop in Midway if I have to!

Bill — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:53

Awesome! A direct flight to Austin or San Antonio would make would things even better!

kz — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 11:04

THANK YOU SOUTHWEST! Please offer CMH and MCO service from MKE! Thats all I ask!

Scotty Mac — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 11:09

Great news!! I reside in Waukesha, west of Mitchell, and I frequently fly out of Midway to Las Vegas and Detroit. I love your service. Even with the 1.5 hour drive to Midway, I would save money by using your services!!!! Welcome!!!!!!

Bob — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 11:14

I am too excited !!! Milwaukee is my birth city and the place I grew up and I have so many friends and relatives there and now I don't have to fly into Midway, I can go directly to them. I've already called my relatives with the news.. I can't wait !!!!!

Mrs Parker — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 11:16

YES! I've been waiting for this day!

Nik — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 11:31

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE provide economical nonstop service from MKE to DTW! Presently, it costs more to fly that route than it does to fly from Wisconsin to Germany!

Jason M — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 11:37

Cool! Please tell me you'll offer non-stop flights from the Bay Area to MKE!

Biff Webster — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 11:44

What a great news for those of us on the west coast trying to get back to visit family - we've been waiting this! Totally unexpected announcement and my props go out to bill for a hugely creative press release - loved it! You did forget to mention the wonderful Greek food (I'm looking at you Oakland Gyros).

scotty — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 11:48

As a Milwaukee area resident with friends and family living in teh Southwest US I have thre comments:
1). THANK YOU!
2). THANK YOU!!!
3). THANK YOU !!!!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 12:09

And don't forget all of the great ethnic festivals!

Some of the largest ethnic festivals in the US recognized by the Smithsonian. Polish Fest, GermanFest, Festa Italiana, Irish Fest, Bastille Days and more. Most of these are held at the SummerFest grounds.

Oh yeah, there is also Summer Fest... one of the largest music festivals out there, 10 days drawing 1,000,000 avid music lovers.

Anonymous — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 12:13

I'm with Bill - I'm a Milwaukee native living in Kansas City; please, please, please do a direct flight between those two :)

And great job on the release - only thing you missed is Summerfest!

Kyle Rohde — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 12:28

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE SOUTHWEST!! We have been flying to mke through midway for years and now we can go home! I will be on the first flight!!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 12:52

Hallelujah! We moved to Milwaukee from Nashville last year, and Southwest is one of the things we've missed the most. May I put in my request for MKE-BNA nonstops please?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Judy — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 12:54

Too bad you will never succeed in MKE. We in Milwaukee know Southwest is known for bottom of the barrell service and is run by dumb hayseeds. Your attempt to rile up Airtran won't work either.

We are loyal to YX, even if it means higher rates. We are not the cheapskates you are used to in your other markets.

Sorry, but it's not going to be pretty. We are not rubes.

Brad — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 12:56

Thanks SW, this is great news. I promise to fly SWA if you promise to make this post your LAST REFERENCE EVER to Laverne and Shirley. Thank you kindly.

JoeW — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 13:12

Great news for those who love your airline! We look forward to flying Southwest out of MKE!

Dusty — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 13:17

We are very excited about this news. Only wish we could book now. We are heading to Orlando next spring and will likely have to book our flights before your flights are opened up. :-(

Julie — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 13:21

I need to make several grammatical corrections but my commentary remains the same.

As a Milwaukee area resident with friends and family living in the Southwest US I have three comments:
1). THANK YOU!
2). THANK YOU!!!
3). THANK YOU !!!!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 13:28

I am THRILLED about this! I'm in Nashville and flights to Milwaukee have been really expensive. Can't WAIT for this to happen! THANK YOU SOUTHWEST!!!

Josh Lauritch — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 13:52

As a proud native Wisconsinite and SWA employee... this great news is long overdue. SWA will be kicking some serious tail in WI later this fall and Cheeseheads will be making out great on their end when our beloved state is served by "THE" low airfare airline! Buckle UP Bucky!

RA — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 14:06

Thank you Southwest and welcome!

We live in Milwaukee, but have flown out of Midway ever since service began there.

It will be great to have you here. Milwaukeeans will not believe the dedication, hard work and posiitve attitude of your employees.

RR — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 14:35

Thank You SWA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have flown Southwest many times but could only fly into Chicago. Then take I would have to take a 2 hour bus ride north to my home town Milwaukee. I am so... happy that I will go nuts for SWA!

Southwest rocks my world!

Ken — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 14:55

This is wonderful news!!!!! I was so thrilled to hear this news today!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for coming to Milwaukee!!

Chris from Milwaukee — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 15:02

about time been waiting for a real airlines that will take care of the customers in an age where money is a big issue welcome and hope it goes well here

terry — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 15:05

Please provide non-stop to Orlando (MCO). I have had a real hard time finding this kind of flight at Mitchell. Looking forward to flying your airline!
Thanks!
Amie

Amie Mattson — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 15:11

Milwaukee, the most friendly city in America. Do yourself a favor and begin to make plans to visit on LUV next summer! Bill hit many highlights:

Summerfest - 10 days; 10 stages a day all on the beautiful lakefront. "The World's Greatest Music Festival". Don't believe me, check out this summer's lineup online. June 25 - July 5.

Outstanding ethnic festivals every other summer weekend on those same permanent grounds.

Brewers at fabulous Miller Park. See those empty Yankee seats on TV? Not for the Brewers baby! 3 million believers last summer in the smallest major league market. See a "sausage race" in person! Best tailgating in the country.

Golf in Kohler, WI (45 minutes north). As nice as it gets anywhere around the country.

And the food..... Bill's got it right.

J — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 15:17

This is fantastic for Milwaukee. I am a Milwaukee native who now lives in Raleigh, NC. I hope with all my heart that Southwest will add a Milwaukee to Raleigh route. They are going to do some really good things by getting into the Milwaukee market.

BB in Raleigh — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 15:41

Please please puh-LEEZE fly from Milwaukee to Islip... (please)! Seattle would be nice too, but not having to fly into LaGuardia would be AWESOME.

Kelly — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 15:56

As a former Milwaukeean I am thrilled that Southwest will be flying there. I just hope that one of the cities that they fly from will be Baltimore. Or if that isn't possible then from Dulles. Since Midwest left the market wide open, I have had to have layovers in so many different cities that I have lost count.

Good Job, Southwest!

Anonymous — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 16:05

I guess this means there will be crew cheese hats too???

Rob Mark — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 16:08

Awesome!! As a southeastern Wis native, I know how easy it is to get around at Mitchell Field, easy parking, easy terminal access, etc. Now we can fly up to see Grandpa on our Rapids Rewards and he can fly down to see us in STL. We have been waiting for this for a long time...I too enjoyed the blog entry, and would have thrown in brats and kringles too!

MKE will "LUV" having Southwest there!

the 3 D's — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 16:39

This is such great news!! I've been waiting for this for soooooo long. Can hardly wait for these flights to start - then my life will be compelte!

Anonymous — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 16:48

THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU!!!!.....
...Don't get me wrong.. I LOVE Midwest Airlines too but ever since they have used the E 170's on routes i fly on, my respect for them has dwindled........ If southwest and Midwest both flew the same route and Midwest use's there 717's- I will still fly them.. BUT if they use a CRJ 200 or E170 i will most definitely fly SOUTHWEST!!! .... also i live in La Crosse Wisconsin and if i want to fly southwest i have to take Amtrak to Chicago and then switch to an EL train- which i hate very much-..now all i have to do is take a train or Greyhound to Mitchell Airport and fly from there....i should mention i also like flying Airtran....but don't worry, who ever is cheaper is who i will fly ;).

Thomas — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 17:07

"We in Milwaukee know Southwest is known for bottom of the barrell service and is run by dumb hayseeds. "

You obviously haven't flown Southwest, then.

Anonymous — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 17:07

It's about time!! No, really. It's about time!!

Can we get rid of the Fonz, Laverne and Shirley references. PLEASE!

Can't wait to fly Southwest outta here in the winter. That drive to Midway is a pain!! And so is the construction.

Thanks for coming to MKE!!

Dave — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 17:14

GREAT NEWS.
This will be the end of Midwest Airlines and they deserve it.
They are the most arrogant bunch of fools that are living on their past laurels. They should have sold out the AirTran when they had the opportunity.

VERY GOOD FOR THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE.

WELCOME TO MILWAUKEE SOUTHWEST.

Anonymous — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 17:51

pleaseplease please, Raleigh-Durham!!!!

John v — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 18:09

I'll be booking our winter vacation to Florida the day it debuts on the site!!!!!!!!!!!!

WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fla Gal — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 18:32

Dave,

Sorry, buddy....I'm an old t.v. show junkie. I just couldn't help it--besides, I actualy Googled the lyrics to "LaVerne and Shirley" so I spelled "schlemeel", "schlemozzle",and "Hasenfeffer" right! I'm just worried that if we ever start flying to Honolulu I'll have to find something catchier than "DAH DAH DA DA DAAAAAAAH DAH, DAH DAH DA DAHHHH...." (hum that to the tune of the theme from "Hawaii 5.0"!)

And everyone, thanks...Milwaukee is a GREAT city--fun, delicous, and cultured. It's going to be a GREAT addition to our system. We're VERY excited by this, just as we by our entry into Minneapolis/St. Paul, LaGuardia, and Boston. Our network just gets more and more powerful!!!!!

Bill

Bill Owen — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 18:49

This is great, but I have to ask, when is Minneapolis/St. Paul to Milwaukee going to be announced?

Anonymous — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 19:02

O_o

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Did I say thank you? :-)

This is fantastic news, and just in time for the holidays! My entire immediate family all reside in and around Milwaukee. *I* however, live in Dallas. Can I just tell you how thrilled I am to hear this news??? While right now I fly exclusively Midwest Airlines to/from DFW/MKE, I would love for SWA to give them a run for their money. PLEASE KEEP THE PRICES LOW like SWA is known for! Wow, no more driving for hours (ha) to get out to DFW...no more tollway payments....this is some of the best news I've heard in a long time. Thanks SWA! :-D

Texas Cheesehead — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 19:49

How many gates do you expect to use when you begin service?

Obvious logical choices for non-stop service would be:

Denver
Minneapolis
Midway
Baltimore
Nashville
Orlando
Tampa
Las Vegas
Phoenix
Either Kansas City OR St Louis

Scott near SMF — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 19:59

IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR SOUTHWEST STARTS FLYING TO MILWAUKEE I HAVE MY STEP BROTHER AND HIS WIFE LIVE WEST OF MILWAUKEE AT OCCOMOWAC COULD YOU ALL NEED TO NON STOP SERVICE FROM HOUSTON OR AUSTIN OR SAN ANTONIO TO MILWAUKEE ALSO NEED 1 MORE NON STOP SERVICE FROM MANCHESTER NH TO MILWAUKEE AS WELL IT WILL BE GREAT THAT WAY I WILL SAFE ME FLYING TO MIDWAY SO WELCOME ABOARD MILWAUKEE

MIKE THORN — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 20:07

WELCOME TO MKE!!!! I've only had the thrill of flying on your airline on one round trip from Chicago Midway to Las Vegas. The flight crew was fantastic on the flight out especially. It was a great experience on both flights. We've been waiting for you to arrive. Now we are all anxious to hear what destinations you've got in store for us. How about Denver and Salt Lake City for us downhill skiers? We can't get to SLC from here on a direct flight. Las Vegas would be a profitable leg for you as well.

Thank you for choosing our city. We will treat you well. I promise!! Our hometown airline (Midwest) has let us down. We were so proud of their quality service.

Gary — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 21:24

I THINK SOUTHWEST IS GREAT!!!! I HAVE BEEN FLYING THEM FOR YEARS, AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS LEGENDARY!!!! AS FOR BRAD, I AM NOT A HAYSEED AND SOUTHWEST WILL SUCCEED IN MILWAUKEE. ALSO THIS IS GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE BECAUSE AIR TRAN AND SOUTHWEST WILL BE COMPETING FOR CUSTOMERS SO FARES ARE BOUND TO GO DOWN. SORRY TO SAY THIS IS THE END FOR MIDWEST!!! ACTUALLY MIDWEST REALLY DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE ITS ANOTHER AIRLINE FLYING UNDER CONTRACT FOR MIDWEST. WHEN MIDWEST RETURNS THE REST OF THEIR 717S AT THE END OF THE YEAR THEY ARE FINISHED!!!!! SOUTHWEST RULES!! THANK YOU FOR GIVING MILWAUKEE A GIFT!!

Russell — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 22:36

OH Thank You So Very Much for finally coming to this part of the country. I just hope you will consider non stop flights to Las Vegas.

Anonymous — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 22:36

Please announce the start of service from MKE in time for the Oshkosh air show this year! OK, so that probably won't happen... but I'd much rather give my money to Southwest than any other airline!

Rob — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 22:49

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