Southwest Airlines Announces New Service To San Jose, Costa Rica

DALLAS, Sept. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) announced today that it has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to add its first destination in Central America with daily roundtrip service between Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) and Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica, beginning March 7, 2015.  The service would link the countries' capital regions through Southwest's value and legendary Customer Service.

"We're ready to add the adventure and beauty of Costa Rica to a growing horizon of international possibility available to the more than 100 million Customers who fly with us each year," said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President & CEO, before a breakfast meeting of the Greater Washington Board of Trade in Washington, D.C.  "Our People and policies bring unique value to the travel experience and we have big plans to extend that value to international destinations where our Customers want to go.  Our substantial presence in Baltimore/Washington is a natural place to do that by bringing nonstop access to new, international markets."

"Costa Ricans share an essence of friendliness and hospitality for which Southwest Airlines is also known," said Wilhelm von Breymann Barquero, Minister of Tourism.  "We look forward to offering the nature, culture, history, cuisine, adventure, peace, and prosperity of Costa Rica to even more visitors from the United States."

Costa Rica will be the sixth near-international country served by Southwest Airlines from its U.S. gateway cities and the first new destination in the carrier's network after the integration of wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways is completed by the end of this year.  Service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic*, and Mexico City begins Nov. 2, as Southwest converts existing AirTran service in those destinations.  Southwest began service this summer to Aruba, The Bahamas, Jamaica, and both Cancun and San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos, Mexico.  Tickets to San Jose, Costa Rica, will be available for sale as soon as the necessary Department of Transportation approvals are secured.

Southwest Airlines began service from Baltimore/Washington in September 1993, with ten flights offering scheduled service through nonstop destinations Chicago (Midway) and Cleveland.  Southwest, 21 years later, is the largest carrier at BWI in terms of daily departure and, by March 2015, will fly nonstop to 60 cities with more than 200 departures a day.

In October 2006, Southwest began serving Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and added service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in July 2012.  By November, Southwest Airlines will be the second largest carrier at DCA in terms of seats, offering 44 flights a day to 14 destinations:  Akron-Canton, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago (Midway), Dallas (Love Field), Ft. Myers/Naples, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, St. Louis, and Tampa.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 44th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest and wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways operate nearly 3,600 flights a day, serving 93 destinations across the United States and five additional countries.  Service to San Jose, Costa Rica, begins in March 2015, subject to government approvals.

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, a majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi connectivity while over the United States that enables video-on-demand and a free, live TV offering of 13 channels compliments of DISH.  Bags Fly Free® at Southwest Airlines (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply), and there are never change fees, although fare differences might apply. In September 2014, the airline proudly unveiled Heart, a new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcasing 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 wherever the carrier serves. With 41 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 2013 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at southwest.com/citizenship.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

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*subject to foreign government approval

SOURCE Southwest Airlines