DALLAS, Oct. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today shared plans to begin selling
tickets in 2018 for service to Hawaii and also announced its intention to
launch an application process for Federal Aviation Administration
authorization for Extended Operations (ETOPS). Service details are
to be announced at a later date.
"A day long-awaited by our Customers, fans, and more than 55,000
of the world's most-loved airline Employees is finally within
sight—a day that will showcase your Hospitality, about as far
Southwest as you can go in the U.S.," Chairman & CEO Gary
Kelly told thousands of Southwest Employees at a Company
gathering in Southern California.
"Hawaii is an important place for
Southwest Airlines because so many people count on us to take them
everywhere they want to go reliably and affordably. We're ready and
excited to address a request we've heard for years."
At the beginning of this month, Southwest became the first
airline in North America to launch scheduled service utilizing
Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft across its existing network, bringing
increased levels of efficiency and range over Next Generation
Boeing 737 models. The carrier announced it will embark on a
process to obtain approval from the Federal Aviation Administration
for Extended Operations (ETOPS), a regulatory requirement to
operate between the mainland and the Hawaiian islands.
"The launch of our ETOPS work begins the next chapter of
Southwest Airlines. We're thrilled to bring Hawaii next year as an option to more than 115
million Customers who already fly with us, annually," said Mike
Van de Ven, Chief Operating Officer.
Southwest President Tom Nealon joined the announcement
via satellite from Honolulu's
famed Waikiki Beach and introduced the Governor of Hawaii, the Hon. David Ige, who shared
his welcome with Southwest Employees. "The unmatched combination of
our People and low fares with nothing to hide will be a
game-changer in the U.S. to Hawaii
market," Nealon said in accepting the Governor's invitation.
The Company's aircraft and available seat miles plans for 2018
are unchanged with today's announcement.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without
limitation, statements related to (i) the Company's network plans,
strategies, opportunities, and expectations; (ii) the Company's
fleet plans and expectations; and (iii) the Company's capacity
plans and expectations. These statements involve risks,
uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to
predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from
those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among
others, (i) the impact of economic conditions, consumer behavior,
fuel prices, actions of competitors (including without limitation
pricing, scheduling, capacity, and network decisions and
consolidation and alliance activities), and other factors beyond
the Company's control, on the Company's business decisions, plans,
and strategies; (ii) the impact of governmental regulations and
other governmental actions related to the Company's operations;
(iii) the Company's ability to timely and effectively implement,
transition, and maintain the necessary information technology
systems and infrastructure to support its operations and
initiatives; (iv) the Company's dependence on third parties; and
(v) other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors
discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31,
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 47th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE:
LUV) differentiates itself above all other air carriers with
exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 55,000 Employees
to more than 115 million Customers annually. Southwest became
the nation's largest domestic air carrier in 2003 and maintains
that ranking based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most
recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded.
Southwest operates more than 4,000 departures a day during peak
travel periods among a network of 99 destinations in the United States and nine additional
countries. Service to Turks and Caicos is scheduled to begin
Nov. 5, 2017.
Southwest coined Transfarency® to describe its purposed
philosophy of treating Customers honestly and fairly, empowering
them to expect a reliably low and uniquely flexible fare from
purchase through journey. 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 carriers
offer free checked bags on select routes or in qualified
circumstances), and Southwest never charges change fees, though
fare differences might apply.
As launch customer of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, the Company operates
the largest fleet in the world of Boeing aircraft, all of which are
to be equipped with satellite-based WiFi enabling gate-to-gate
connectivity as of Oct. 1, 2017. That
connectivity enables Customers to use personal devices to view
video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20
channels of free, live TV. In 2014, 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.
View original
content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southwest-airlines-announces-intention-to-serve-hawaii-300535236.html
SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.