Southwest Airlines Chairman of the Board, President & Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly shares his thoughts on Leadership, Growth, and the Future of the Southwest Brand.
Gary Kelly addressed today a room full of aviation executives at the Wings Club in New York City and shared what the future looks holds for Southwest, as it enters its 40th year. Among many topics, Gary announced ten more flights from the Newark Liberty International (EWR) to destinations like Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) with three daily nonstop flights, Houston Hobby (HOU) with two daily nonstop flights, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) with two daily nonstop flights, and Denver International (DEN) with three daily nonstop flights. These cities join the previously announced nonstops to Chicago Midway (MDW) and St. Louis (STL), giving Newark a total of 18 new daily nonstops and will connect Newark Liberty to our vast network.
To celebrate this new service, Southwest is offering for a limited time fares as low as $49 one way between BWI and EWR to travel during the Summer of 2011. To see a complete list of special fares and fare rules, visit southwest.com.
Gary also announced that our fleet will be enhanced with the addition of the Boeing 737-800. Gary shared today we will substitute 20 of our future 737-700 orders for -800s, with the first delivery scheduled for March 2012. With both the Pilots’ and Flight Attendants’ Unions ratifying their contracts to add the -800 to their current collective bargaining agreements, Southwest is continuing to finalize discussions with the Boeing Company regarding substitutions of the -800s for the -700 positions and configuration and equipage options.
Gary told the Wings Club audience, “We are looking to the future and the -800 sets the stage to bring more destinations into the realm of possibilities for Southwest, to operate a more economical aircraft, and to offer better scheduling flexibility in high-demand, slot-controlled, or gate-restricted markets.” The current plan is to deliver these 20, 737-800 aircraft in full Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) configuration. The current configuration also includes the Boeing Company’s Sky Interior that offers a quieter cabin, improved operational security features, and LED reading and ceiling lighting.
Comments
Please come to CVG! We have dozens and dozens of gates available..........
Just wanted to answer a few questions I've seen out there about Hawaii, Mexico, and other cities/routes that AirTran currently serves. As you saw with our -800 announcement, this type of aircraft (not coming until 3/12) brings many new destinations into Southwest's realm of possibilities, so stay tuned for more info on that and what it will mean for Customers. As far as Mexico destinations go, we have partnered with Volaris to connect our Customers to places like Cancun. Click here for more info on that: http://www.southwest.com/html/air/intl/index.html. And, last, there are 38 airports that AirTran serves that Southwest does not. We are interested in serving the great majority, if not all, of AirTran's current markets. Please stay tuned to www.lowfaresfarther.com for the latest updates on the AirTran acquisition.
GOOD NEWS!!! WHY CAN'T OTHER AIRLINES DO WHAT YOU DO?? GREAT CONCEPT
KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB.
You are the #! !!! No matter where we fly it is Southwest, unless you don't fly there......then we just don't go..... :)
It would sure by a lot easier if SOUTHWEST could fly direct from ALBANY NEW YORK to FORT MYERS they are both Intrnational Airports.
What are SW's plans for airports that are served by Air Tran and where SW does not currently serve those same airports? Logically, you would think SW will replace AirTran service with SW service, but will this be the case?
WE NEED SWA TO FLY NONSTOP FROM EWR TO FLL-- DO YOU KNOW THE BUSINESS YOU WOULD HAVE--
South West flys from upstate New York into Washington D.C.
With the buying of Air Tram will South West fly from Islip N.Y. MacArthur airport directly in to
Washington D.C.
I now travel a few times a year to see my son who now is living in Manassas, Va
I travel by car and I fly with South West Airlines right now they fly from Islip N.Y. into
Baltimore (BWI)
If South West will fly directly into Washington I will fly more often than drive.
Prior to my retirement a little more than 4 years ago, I was CEO of 3 companies. One in Boston, one in Rainham England and one in Wurtzburg, Germany. I was platinum on NW and gold on Delta and US Air. I was treated like royalty and always upgraded to first class. Obviously, the platinum and gold disappeared after the first year and I just can't believe the treatment of passengers in coach with charges for luggage, overhead storage, peanuts, pop and even blankets and pillows. In addition, the average employee of those airlines is surley and lack the enthusiasm that the SWA employees show.
It is a pleasure to now fly with SWA. While it isn't first class as I had grown to love, it is heads and heals over the treatment (or lack thereof) of the competition. Keep up the good work.
Add flights from RDU to ATL and LGA.