Southwest Launches Service to Five Cities in One Day

Southwest Airlines launched inaugural service to five cities on Sunday, April 14 – the most cities the airline has ever begun serving in one day.

One of the new Southwest Airlines destinations is San Juan in Puerto Rico, which is the first city that Southwest has ever served on a scheduled basis outside the 48 contiguous states of the mainland United States.

Southwest Airlines operates the largest fleet of Boeing 737s in the world and the fleet has grown following Southwest’s purchase of and gradual operational incorporation of AirTran Airways. In addition to hundreds of Boeing 737-700s (which have gradually replaced 7737-300s and 737-500s in Southwest service) and 737-800s, the carrier has placed large-scale orders for the 737 MAX family, the fourth generation of Boeing’s best-selling 737 jetliner family

The expansion is a result of Southwest Airlines continuing the operational integration into the parent carrier of its wholly owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways.

“This milestone is historic as it marks Southwest’s first venture outside the 48 contiguous states, and it’s proof positive that our ongoing integration of AirTran remains on-track as we’re making tremendous progress,” said Ron Ricks, Southwest’s executive vice president and chief legal & regulatory officer.

“AirTran has done a wonderful job establishing a presence in these markets, and Southwest is proud to continue that legacy and extend our vast network of destinations, exceptional customer service, and low fares,” added Ricks.

Southwest Airlines received its first Boeing 737-800 new from Boeing on March 8, 2012

As of April 14, Southwest Airlines is operating new non-stop service linking:

● Charlotte in North Carolina with Baltimore/Washington, Chicago Midway, Houston Hobby and Orlando;

● Flint in Michigan with Baltimore/Washington, Orlando and Tampa;

● Portland in Maine with Baltimore/Washington;

● Rochester in New York with Baltimore/Washington, Chicago Midway, Orlando and Tampa; and

● San Juan with Orlando and Tampa.

On December 13, 2011, Southwest Airlines placed a firm order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX jets and 58 additional 737NGs, officially becoming the launch customer for the 737 MAX family. Southwest also optioned 150 additional 737 MAX aircraft in the deal, which Boeing labeled as its biggest-ever in terms of dollar value and numbers of aircraft

AirTran Airways ceased service in Charlotte, Flint, Portland (Maine) and Rochester on April 13 but will continue to offer scheduled services linking San Juan with Baltimore/Washington, Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport and Atlanta.

However, Southwest has announced that it will assume AirTran’s San Juan service to Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport on September 29.

To promote its new San Juan service, Southwest announced a one-day offer of $39 one-way fares between San Juan and both Orlando and Tampa Bay. These fares must be booked by 11:59 p.m. PT on April 15.

The sale fares are available only on www.southwest.com and swabiz.com. Travel under the sale fare is valid to and from San Juan and Orlando from Apr 16 through April 21, April 23, April 25, April 27 and April 30; and May 1 through May 2, May 7, May 17 and May 30.

Southwest Airlines’ new ‘Evolve’ cabin interior features recyclable carpet, a brighter color-scheme, and a more durable, eco-friendly, and comfortable low-profile seat that weighs less than the current seat. The new interior design also offers the airline greater revenue potential by increasing the number of seats onboard from 137 to 143

Travel under the sale fare to and from San Juan and Tampa is valid on April 16 through April 18 and April 23 through April 25; and May 1 through May 2, May 7 through May 8, and May 26.  Sale prices are inclusive of all government taxes and fees.

Southwest says it is the United States’ largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. Including wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways, the Southwest Airlines group operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world. Within the next three years, all will be from the Boeing 737 family.

The fleet serves 97 destinations in 41 states, as well as the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and six other countries near the U.S.