Southwest Airlines Celebrates Five Years of LUV in Pittsburgh

DALLAS, May 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines and its 60 Pittsburgh Employees today are celebrating the airline's fifth year of service at the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT).

"Pittsburgh is a great place to live and work. We are thrilled to be celebrating five years of service here in the Keystone State," said Mike Gillock, Southwest Airlines' Pittsburgh Station Leader.  "Our Employees remain committed to continuing to serve the city and helping it flourish."

"The Allegheny County Airport Authority is excited to share in this celebration.  Southwest's commitment has provided our region's business and leisure travelers with truly competitive service, more travel selections and new opportunities. Southwest Airlines has also benefited from our world-class airport and highly trained workforce. We look forward to continuing our long, mutually-beneficial partnership," stated Glenn R. Mahone, Chairman, Allegheny County Airport Authority.

Pittsburgh (PIT) statistics:

• Southwest began service in PIT on May 4, 2005, with 10 daily nonstop departures to four cities, Chicago (Midway), Las Vegas, Orlando, Philadelphia
• Southwest currently offers 21 daily nonstop departures to seven cities: Baltimore/Washington, Chicago (Midway), Las Vegas, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Tampa Bay
• Southwest gives Customers the Freedom to Fly from Pittsburgh to 57 destinations across the country on convenient nonstop, direct, or connecting service.
• PIT-based Employees: 60
• PIT was the 60th Station to open its doors in the Southwest Airlines system

Additionally, Southwest Airlines is celebrating with its Employees and Customers today at its gates in the A Terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport. For a first-person account of PIT's station opening five years ago, visit www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/southwest-airlines-celebrates-five-years-pittsburgh  PIT Ramp Supervisor Adrian Hernandez shares his thoughts on the past five years at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Southwest Employees also Shared the Spirit for their fifth anniversary in Pittsburgh by volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Pittsburgh. Volunteers from the local PIT Station cooked hamburgers and hot dogs and held an indoor picnic for patients and their families staying at the House. The House is now located at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh   and can provide a home away from home for approximately 58 families. The Ronald McDonald House has been a beloved charity of Southwest Airlines and its Employees for more than 25 years. The 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., May 23, 2010). Based in Dallas, Southwest operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.

www.southwest.com

SOURCE Southwest Airlines