DALLAS, June 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV), the carrier offering more seats than
any other carrier each day to, from, and within California, embarked upon a new chapter in a
faithful 35-year partnership with California travelers today. Southwest®
celebrates inaugural service at Long Beach Airport, the carrier's
98th city served, now offering service in all five major
commercial airports in the L.A. Basin with four flights a day to
and from the Bay Area nonstop between Long Beach and Oakland.
"Southwest's arrival in Long
Beach brings much needed competition not just with our
unique value and unparalleled Customer Service, but with unmatched
access to the rest of the country through our Oakland gateway," said Paul Cullen, Southwest
Airlines' Vice President of Corporate Planning and Financial
Planning and Analysis, at a morning news conference before the
airport's first Southwest departure. "The initial schedule for
Long Beach offers long reach with
easy connections to 19 cities through our four flights a day to
Oakland."
"I'm thrilled to welcome Southwest Airlines to Long Beach," said Mayor Garcia. "This is an
exciting and positive development for our city and the entire
region, and one more great reason to fly through Long Beach
Airport."
"We are delighted to welcome this new partner and
one of the most recognizable airline carriers to Long Beach," said Stacy Mungo, Long Beach Councilwoman. "At the
center of Southwest's business model are people and culture, which
is only fitting given our city's unique sense of community."
"Southwest is a welcomed addition to Long Beach
Airport, where our customers value the convenience and excellent
customer service that we provide," said Juan López-Rios, Interim
Director. "We are proud to be able to provide that same service to
our Southwest customers as they enjoy the relaxed travel experience
for which LGB is known."
Beginning today, Southwest offers a peak summer schedule of
nearly 60 flights a day in each direction between Oakland and Southern
California's five airports in the greater L.A. region, plus
San Diego. Last week, Southwest
filed an application for route authority to add new daily
international service later this year from LAX to Cancun, Puerto
Vallarta, and San Jose del
Cabo/Los Cabos in Mexico, alongside daily service to
Costa Rica which began in April.
Southwest also flies internationally from John Wayne Airport in
Orange County to Mexico City, Puerto
Vallarta, and San Jose del
Cabo/Los Cabos.
Book Southwest's great low fares from Long Beach to Oakland at southwest.com.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 45th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines
Co. (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other
air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than
50,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.
Southwest operates more than 3,900 departures a day during peak
travel season across a network of 97 destinations in the United States and seven additional
countries. Service to Long Beach,
California, the carrier's 98th city, begins
June 5, 2016.
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 more than 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. In 2014, the
airline proudly unveiled a bold new look: Heart.
The new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcase the
dedication of Southwest Employees to 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 43 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 2015 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.