LUV Southwest Airlines Co

DALLAS, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) announced today the carrier will add an 85^th destination to its route map with service to Wichita, Kansas, beginning in June 2013.  Southwest starts service in Wichita on June 2, 2013, with a total of five daily flights offering nonstop service to Dallas, Chicago Midway, and Las Vegas.  Southwest will assume all flying from AirTran Airways, its wholly-owned subsidiary, with AirTran's operations at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport fully converting to Southwest Airlines.  AirTran currently serves Wichita with three daily nonstop flights to Atlanta. 

To celebrate the new Wichita service, Southwest announced a fare sale of $89* one-way between Wichita and Dallas (Love Field), as well as $109* one-way between Wichita and both Chicago Midway and Las Vegas.  These fares must be booked by Nov. 25, 2012, for travel every day except Fridays and Sundays between June 3, 2013, and Aug. 8, 2013 (blackout dates of July 3, 6, and 7, 2013 apply).  See fare rules below.  To take advantage of these special fares, visit www.southwest.com.  Southwest also announced today that the airline has extended its flight schedule for travel between June 2, 2013, and Aug. 9, 2013.   

"Southwest Airlines is proud to bring low fares, great Customer Service, and our red-bellied Boeing 737s to Wichita," said Bob Montgomery, Southwest Airlines' Vice President of Airport Affairs.  "We know the Wichita community has been anxious for Southwest's arrival, and we've been equally excited about the prospect of serving Mid-Continent Airport.  In June 2013, that wait will be over!" 

"Today's announcement is fantastic news for Wichita and the state of Kansas," said Kansas Governor Sam Brownback.  "Southwest Airlines will contribute significantly to our quality of life in Kansas and to our economy statewide.  Affordable flights and flight choices are essential for keeping the cost of business competitive and having Southwest at Mid-Continent Airport makes south central Kansas more accessible to the rest of the country.  We can't wait to book our flight!"

"I'm excited that we now know when Southwest Airlines will begin service at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport and the destinations they will be serving," said Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer.  "We're thrilled that they'll be continuing our history of providing low air fares in this region.  The presence of Southwest Airlines will benefit both business and leisure travelers and will support our collaborative efforts to retain and create jobs.  It's going to be great to have the Southwest Airlines reputation and brand at our airport, especially when our new terminal opens!"

Southwest's Wichita Service:

• Two daily nonstop flights between Wichita and Dallas Love Field
• Two daily nonstop flights between Wichita and Chicago Midway
• One daily nonstop flight between Wichita and Las Vegas

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 42^nd year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating passengers boarded, and including wholly-owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways, operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve 97 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and six near-international countries.  Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People and Planet.  To read about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good corporate citizen, visit southwest.com/citizenship to read the Southwest Airlines One Report™.

Southwest Airlines
From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel quantified by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves.  On every flight, Southwest offers Customers the first two pieces of checked luggage (weight and size limitations apply) and all ticket changes without additional fees. Southwest's all Boeing fleet consistently offers leather seating and the comfort of full-size cabins, many of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi connectivity and a new, eco-friendly cabin interior.  With 39 consecutive years of profitability, the People of Southwest operate more than 3,100 flights a day and serve communities around 78 airports in Southwest's network of domestic destinations.  Southwest Airlines' frequent flights and low fares are available only at southwest.com.

AirTran Airways
AirTran Airways, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co., offers coast-to-coast and near-international service with close to 600 flights a day to 54 destinations.  The carrier's high-quality product includes assigned seating and Business Class. As Southwest continues to integrate AirTran's People, places, and planes into Southwest Airlines, Customers of both carriers may book flights at airtran.com and exchange earned loyalty points between both AirTran's A+ Rewards® and Southwest's Rapid Rewards® for reward travel on either airline.

ADDITIONAL FARE RULES
Fares are available on www.southwest.com and www.swabiz.com and can be purchased today, through Dec. 16, 2012, 11:59 pm PST.  Travel must take place between June 3, 2013, and Aug. 8, 2013. Blackout dates of July 3, 6, and 7, 2013, applies. Fares are valid for travel every day except Fridays and all Sundays beyond 6/2/2013.  Seats are limited. Fares may vary by destinations, flight, and day of week and won't be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Fares are available for one-way travel. Fares may be combined with other combinable fares, except Senior Fares. When combining fares, all rules and restrictions apply. Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest Airlines.  Fares are not available through the Group Desk.  Any change in the itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Standby travel requires an upgrade to the Anytime fare. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Fares are valid on published, scheduled service only.

* Government-imposed taxes and fees are now included in the advertised fare. To comply with new government regulations, all airlines must include government-imposed taxes and fees in advertised air fares.

southwest.com

SOURCE Southwest Airlines