Southwest Airlines Cargo Expands Service To AirTran Network

DALLAS, April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines achieved a milestone on April 14 as the carrier began shipping cargo on AirTran Airways under the Southwest Airlines Cargo brand. The airlines successfully completed connectivity of the two networks earlier this year, opening up more destination options and reaching more potential Customers.

In addition to broadening the overall cargo network across the two airlines, Southwest introduced four new cargo destinations to their route map: Charlotte, N.C. (CLT); Rochester, N.Y. (ROC); Richmond, Va. (RIC).  Beginning May 1, Southwest Airlines Cargo will serve San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU).  Connectivity of the carriers' networks means hundreds of new flights and 68 new nonstop markets for Cargo Customers to experience the reliable service and hardworking Employees that Southwest Airlines Cargo has to offer.

"Connecting the Southwest and AirTran Networks opens up a number of opportunities for our cargo service to grow, offering new flights and significant increased capacity for our Cargo Customers," said Matt Buckley, Southwest Airlines Vice President Cargo & Charters.  "It's a testament to the success of the AirTran acquisition, and we're excited to offer expanded service to our existing Customers and introduce our product to new ones!"

Now, Southwest Airlines Cargo not only can connect through Southwest-to-AirTran flights, but also through AirTran-only or AirTran-to-AirTran flights. Our Cargo Customers in Atlanta (ATL) will see a significant amount of new service, with 90 additional flights available for Cargo, including 22 new nonstop destinations. Many other markets will receive new service, as well.

Customers can track their shipments on Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways though swacargo.com or by using Southwest's GPS tracking device, Cargo Companion. For information on all services including Cargo Companion, please visit swacargo.com or contact your local Cargo Area Sales Manager.

Southwest Airlines Cargo will continue to offer more destinations as the integration of AirTran Airways continues, with completion anticipated in 2015.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CARGO
Southwest Airlines' Relentlessly Reliable Employees offer Cargo Customers expedited air cargo service to destinations across the map, including complimentary Road Feeder Service and interline destinations.  With more than 200 million pounds of available cargo lift domestically per month, Southwest is proud to operate and staff a majority of their Cargo Facilities from coast-to-coast, providing Customers with award-winning Customer Service. 

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 42^nd year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, and including wholly-owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways, operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve 97 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and six near-international countries. Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its triple bottom line approach that takes into account the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities it serves, and its commitment to efficiency and the planet.  The 2011 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at southwest.com/citizenship.

Southwest Airlines
From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel quantified by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves.  On every flight, Southwest offers Customers the first two pieces of checked luggage (weight and size limitations apply) and all ticket changes without additional fees. Southwest's all Boeing fleet consistently offers leather seating and the comfort of full-size cabins, many of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi connectivity and a new, sustainable cabin interior.  With 40 consecutive years of profitability, the People of Southwest operate nearly 3,400 flights a day and serve communities around 84 airports in Southwest's network of domestic destinations.  Southwest Airlines' frequent flights and low fares are available only at southwest.com.

AirTran Airways
AirTran Airways, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co., offers coast-to-coast and near-international service with close to 600 flights a day to 49 destinations.  The carrier's high-quality product includes assigned seating and Business Class. As Southwest continues to integrate AirTran's People, places, and planes into Southwest Airlines, Customers of both carriers may book flights at airtran.com and exchange earned loyalty points between both AirTran's A+ Rewards® and Southwest's Rapid Rewards® for reward travel on either airline.

swacargo.com

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Cargo