DALLAS, July 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today celebrated the beginning of a
one-month countdown to an exciting moment in the lives of millions
of Americans: a total solar eclipse visible in a coast-to-coast
celestial shadow that temporarily will envelop Southwest cities
from Portland, Ore., to
Charleston, SC. The carrier has
identified scheduled flights most likely to experience maximum
effects of the August 21st
eclipse and will give Customers on those flights commemorative
'flare,' including special viewing glasses, will offer cosmic
cocktails, and will engage on social media across the atmosphere on
Southwest's gate-to-gate WiFi.
"Not to throw too much shade but with 3,857 flights scheduled to
operate that day using our all-Boeing 737 fleet, we'll be unmatched
in offering hundreds of seats in the air over the continental U.S.
that morning with a potential view of the rare sight," said
Warren Qualley, Manager Meteorology
for Southwest. "We plan to showcase the glow of our everyday
Hospitality in a different light on these celebratory flights in
our summer flight schedule and our team of Meteorologists is
working hard to provide clear viewing of this solar spectacle from
our flights! The next total solar eclipse visible in the U.S. won't
occur until Apr. 8th,
2024, so don't miss this opportunity!"
*Looking directly at the sun is never recommended, but
one can safely observe an eclipse with specialty-rated solar
filters.
Network & Schedule Planners modeled the operational day
against projections of the umbra and penumbra--shadows cast by the
moon's eclipse of the sun. On August
21, the scheduled Southwest flights with the greatest
likelihood of offering those in the air the best view are:
Southwest flight
1375
|
departing
Seattle-Tacoma at 09:05am PDT for St. Louis
|
Southwest flight
1368
|
departing Portland
at 09:05am PDT for St. Louis
|
Southwest flight
1577
|
departing Denver
at 10:20am MDT for St. Louis
|
Southwest flight
301
|
departing Denver
at 10:20am MDT for Nashville
|
Southwest flight
1969
|
departing Denver
at 09:50am MDT for Atlanta
|
To book any open seats on the 3,857 Southwest flights scheduled
to operate on Aug. 21, 2017, or any
day through March 7, 2018, Customers
may visit Southwest.com.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 47th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE:
LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with
exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 55,000 Employees
to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest
proudly operates a network of 101 destinations in the United States and nine additional
countries with more than 4,000 departures a day during peak travel
season. Service to Turks and Caicos is expected to begin
Nov. 5, 2017, subject to requisite
government approvals. On Sept. 5,
2017, Southwest will cease service to Varadero and Santa
Clara to concentrate its future Cuba service in Havana.
Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent
data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms
of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates
the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of
which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate
connectivity. That connectivity enables Customers to use their
personal devices to view video on-demand movies and television
shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments
of our valued Partners. Southwest created
Transfarency®, a philosophy which treats Customers honestly
and fairly, and in which low fares actually stay low. Southwest is
the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free® to
everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and
weight limits apply, some airlines may allow free checked bags on
select routes or for qualified circumstances), and there are no
change fees, though fare differences might apply. The airline
proudly unveiled a bold new look: Heart. A new logo,
aircraft livery, interior design featuring a new seat and Flight
Attendant galley, Employee-designed uniforms, and an updated
airport experience all showcase the dedication of Southwest
Employees who connect Customers with what's important in their
lives.
From its first flights on June 18,
1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented
affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of
Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and
increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new
markets. With 44 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is
one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple
bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance
and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities
they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet.
The 2016 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found
at SouthwestOneReport.com.
Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online
at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.