DALLAS, May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines and its 155 Ontario-based Employees today are celebrating the airline's silver anniversary at Ontario International Airport (ONT).

"We are thrilled and honored to celebrate 25 years of bringing our Low Fares and legendary Customer Service while serving our Customers in the Los Angeles Basin and Inland Empire," said Bruce Atlas, Southwest Airlines' Ontario Station Leader.  "The dedicated work of our 155 Ontario Employees continues to prompt our Customers to choose Southwest Airlines time and again."

"Southwest Airlines is Ontario's largest commercial airline, handling more than 50 percent of passenger traffic," stated Jess Romo, Ontario's general manager.  "We're excited to celebrate Southwest's 25th anniversary here and hope they service Ontario for another 25 years and beyond."

Ontario (ONT) statistics:

• Southwest began service from Ontario on May 15, 1985, with five daily nonstop departures to Phoenix.
• Southwest currently offers 42 daily nonstop departures to seven cities: Chicago (Midway), Denver, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix, Sacramento, and San Jose.
• Southwest gives Customers the Freedom to Fly from Ontario to 52 destinations across the country on convenient nonstop, direct, or connecting service.
• 155 Southwest Employees work at Ontario International Airport.
• Ontario was the 23rd Station to join the Southwest Airlines system.

Southwest Airlines is celebrating with its Employees and Customers today at its gates at Ontario International Airport with gate games, decorations, a DJ, and relaxing massages!

Additionally, our ONT Employees are Sharing the Spirit of the 25th anniversary by sending smiles to children at the Pomona Valley Hospital and the Loma Linda Childrens Hospital by making greeting cards.  Employees will create and decorate handmade get well wishes or thinking of you cards that will be distributed through the Inland Empire HandsOn Network.  Southwest Airline's Employees proudly Share the Spirit through volunteering in the communities where they work and live.

Southwest is the only U.S. airline to remain consistently profitable this decade. Southwest has among the lowest cost structures and strongest balance sheets of any major U.S. airline.  At Southwest Airlines, Customers get low fares and no hidden fees.  You can check your first two bags for free, there are no change fees, no fees for a window or aisle seat, and, as always, snacks, sodas, and smiles are all complimentary!

After more than 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation's leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, currently serves 68 cities in 35 states (with additional service to Panama City Beach, Fla., beginning May 23, 2010). Based in Dallas, Southwest operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.

www.southwest.com

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

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