Jazz Fest is wrapping up this weekend and I have seen positive reports about its role in the city's healing.
I'll always remember a conversation I had with restaurateur Ti Martin ( Cafe Adelaide and Commander's Palace) back in November. Her commitment to bringing back New Orleans was incredible. Her disappointment in some of the businesses that left the city was impactful. Fortunately, there are many like Ti in New Orleans, and assuming they all embrace the same passion, the area will certainly recover.
My conversation with Ti inspired me to do something I thought of doing shortly after Katrina -- have our annual marketing meeting in the city and be one of the first major companies to begin the comeback with their Meetings and Convention business... During the meeting, we took time to pick thousands of pounds of citrus for the Second Harvest Food Bank as a way to give back to a community that has supported us for years... and of course, we had a little fun while we were there... Some of us are still a little hung over from the trip, and I can assure you there were a few bars and restaurants that were happy we feel the way we do. I just love the food and drink down there.
Southwest's rebuilding plan in New Orleans continues as well. We have added more flights and in June, we will begin serving more destinations - Las Vegas, Phoenix, Baltimore/Washington DC, Ft. Lauderdale, and Chicago.
Here's to a successful Jazz Fest and to the reconstruction of one of America's great cities.
Comments
We live in Lafayette, LA and are happy that things are getting better in N.O. and that
you've added some flights back into N.O. Do you have any flights originating from
N.O. yet, i.e., flights to Birmingham, AL? I've not seen any, so far. Please advise
when you think this might begin anew.
PLEASE, PLEASE RESUME DIRECT FLIGHTS BETWEEN
NEW ORLEANS AND BIRMINGHAM!!!
What used to be a pleasurable hour-long trip has now become a 5-7
hour ordeal with plane changes across the nation. The market is
there.... PLEASE give it a try.... the sooner the better!
More flights are needed into and out of New Orleans particularly for Dallas, Birmingham, Louisville, and Denver.
Richard, if there is any one who can bring the fun back to New Orleans it would be you.
It's wonderful to hear the efforts that Southwest is doing to help rebuild such a wonderful city. My only regret is that I wasn't there to have a drink with all of you.
As always, keep up the great job SWA!
Way to go Southwest for your support of New Orleans; as a Houstonian for 6 years (Native New Orleanian), I'm proud to be a customer of your airline. Always doing what's good for the customer, the community and shareholder. Hats off to you all for a job well done and let's keep the spirit of Jazz and NOLA alive!
I just moved to Atlanta and having withdrawal pains because Southwest does not service ATL airport. With Delta's problems it looks like a good opportunity to add Atlanta to your route. Any plans???
Hi Southwest! So miss my direct flight to Jacksonville, FL from New Orleans. WHEN will you get that one back on line? It is such an
ordeal to fly there now and frankly, I am using another airline. I just hope you guys will put that one back in soon. I will be the first to
buy a ticket when that happens! I LOVE SOUTHWEST!!!!!!!! and I miss it terribly!!!!!!!!! Thanks for your support of New Orleans, we need
our community to come back just as it was!
As a 20 year Baton Rouge resident who has since relocated to Los Angeles, I was really pleased to read about your support for New Orleans. Since I still have two grown sons and a new daughter in law (not to mention lots of friends) living in Baton Rouge, I
would love to see you increase your direct flights from N.O. to Los Angeles (or Burbank) and while you are at it, what about Santa
Barbara? Anyway, I lived for a while in Austin, and the direct flight from Austin to Los Angeles was awesome! If you could make it
easier to get from L.A. to N.O. La. we'll make the trip more often! (The trip from N.O. to Baton Rouge, is inconsequential, I can
drive that part!
I love the way you do things, the staff are friendly, and helpful, and actually seem as though they like what
do, and that says a lot about the way you run your business! Keep it up!
HOORAY For SouthWest in helping New Orleans get back on it's feet. It's obvious we can't depend on our federal government to take charge. I've been traveling SW to Ca. for several years and love the atmosphere and the friendly
Resuming more flights to New Orleans will definitely be a big boost in helping them get back to their feet.
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