Southwest Airlines is an American low-fare airline and has carried more passengers than any other U.S. airline since August 2006 for both combined domestic and international customers. Southwest is one of the world's most profitable airlines and has posted profit for the 34th consecutive year in January 2007. The airline mission statement is being dedicated to the highest quality of customer service delivered with a sense or warmth, friendliness, individual pride and company spirit.
Southwest Airlines is an American low-fare airline and has carried more passengers than any other U.S. airline since August 2006 for both combined domestic and international customers. Southwest is one of the world's most profitable airlines and has posted profit for the 34th consecutive year in January 2007. The airline mission statement is being dedicated to the highest quality of customer service delivered with a sense or warmth, friendliness, individual pride and company spirit. The company offers programs and services for all types of travelers, from kids to adults. Along with offering basic travel needs, Southwest is dedicated to providing adults with destinations as well as providing learning experiences to children through its "Adopt-a-Pilot" program. Southwest also offers travel programs for individuals and/or groups. Its slogan "A symbol of freedom" allows customers to feel independent yet safe during their travels. Southwest travels to over 60 locations throughout the contiguous United States.
One of Southwest Airline's most attractive services is its rewards program, Rapid Rewards. This allows passengers who have flown 8 roundtrips in 24 consecutive months, to receive a roundtrip Standard Award, which is valid to any of the 60+ destinations that the company serves.
For potential passengers who want to travel by booking flights online, are also encouraged to check out the Click `n Save Special Offers directly from the company website, www.southwest.com. This sections lists weekly roundtrip deals that allows passengers to travel to and from Denver or Florida for only $99 as well as featured destinations to the Walt Disney World Resort. The Click `n Save Offers also provides helpful links for savings on rental cars, hotel rooms, cruises and other vacation packages.
Southwest Airlines has a history with becoming the "firsts" in its industry. Southwest Airlines was originally incorporated to serve three cities in Texas as Air Southwest on March 15, 1967. In early 1971, Air Southwest changed its name to Southwest Airlines, and the first flight was on June 18, 1971. Its first flights were from Love Field in Dallas to Houston and San Antonio.
On March 16, 1995, Southwest became one of the first airlines to have a web site which was originally called the "Southwest Airlines Home Gate". Customers could view schedules, a route map, and company information at www.iflyswa.com and later the company obtained the rights to its current home on the web, www.southwest.com. In order to keep its name professional, Southwest consistently rejects syndicating its fares to fare search sites such as expedia.com or orbitz.com.
The website has gone through changes since its introduction to online customers and since then, Southwest.com has become the number one airline web site for online revenue as well as being the largest airline site in terms of unique visitors. In 2006, 70% of flight bookings and 73% of revenue was generated from bookings on www.southwest.com. As technology improved, so did Southwest's technology. As of June 2007, 69% of Southwest passengers checked in for their flights online or at a kiosk.
Southwest Airlines has always been devoted to each and every community that it serves. Its employees, customers and neighbors make the Southwest Family the "LUVing" place that it is, and is proud to offer the cities more than just friendly and affordable air service.
One of the campaigns that allows Southwest to stick by its dedication to giving back includes The Giving LUV, Saving Lives Campaign that supports Operation Healthy Heart (OHH). OHH is a program, which provides corrective surgery for children with congenital heart defects in Vietnam. Every year, 20,000 children in Vietnam are awaiting surgery and Operation Healthy Hearts along with Southwest Airlines has provided life-saving financial assistance to more than 1,200 children.
Southwest Airlines in conjunction with The Hispanic Association of College and Universities holds an educational travel award program annually. Through this educational initiative, Southwest provides roundtrip tickets to students with socio-economic needs and allows them travel away from home to pursue a higher education.
The company's Adopt-a-Pilot program unites fifth-grade students with Southwest Pilots to explore math, science, geography, history and creative writing during a four-week period. Students track their adopted pilot's journey and completes curriculum developed in cooperation with the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, the National Association of Teachers of Math and Science, and other education specialists.
Southwest Airlines' top competitors include American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue and Virgin Atlantic.