Southwest Airlines Takes Off To New Destination From Washington, D.C. (Reagan National)

DALLAS, May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines® (NYSE: LUV) today announced new nonstop service from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Orlando, Florida beginning on Nov. 1.  Orlando will be Southwest's third Florida destination from DCA, where it is the second largest carrier as measured by passengers carried.  Southwest will now offer flights to 17 nonstop destinations from this convenient downtown airport.

Southwest Airlines operates more than 260 daily nonstop flights from its three Washington, D.C. area airports. Since July of last year, the airline has added seven new international destinations from Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International airport, and new nonstop service from Washington, D.C. (Reagan National) to Chicago (Midway), Columbus, Dallas Love Field, Indianapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood beginning on August 9, and Orlando starting in November 2015.  In addition, the carrier's long-haul offerings from Washington Dulles have grown in the past year to add both Las Vegas, and San Diego as nonstop routes.

Also on Nov. 1, Southwest will continue its commitment to the Sunshine State by increasing the number of daily flights to twice daily service between Austin, Texas, and Ft. Lauderdale. "These flights will give travelers even more options than ever before to reach Florida, Washington, D.C., and Texas on full-size, 737 jets without being nickeled-and-dimed," said Andrew Watterson, Southwest Airlines' Senior Vice President of Network and Revenue Management. "The moment we took off nearly 44 years ago, we've always been a little different; we are the only U.S. airline offering two checked bags for free to everyone* along with a friendly boarding procedure. Our People work hard to deliver superior Customer Service to everyone, every day."

Fares for the new flights between Washington, D.C. (Reagan National) and Orlando start as low as $59 one-way.            

Purchase today through May 24, 2015, 11:59 p.m. in the respective time zone of the originating city. Travel Nov. 1 through Dec. 16, 2015. Blackout dates apply. Restrictions and exclusions apply. Seats and valid travel days are limited. See additional and complete fare rules below.

In Austin, the carrier continues adding new destinations including already announced nonstop service starting June 28, 2015 to Santa Ana/Orange County and St. Louis. In addition to the increased number of flights serving Customers traveling to and from Ft. Lauderdale, the carrier will add nonstop service this November to Boston (Logan), Seattle/Tacoma, and will add an additional nonstop flight to the New York area (via Newark.)  The carrier began serving Austin in 1977 with six daily flights, and by the end of 2015 it will operate more than 60 departures a day to nearly 30 destinations across the United States and Mexico.

This week, Southwest also renewed its commitment to the Greater Orlando Aviation Administration by investing $9.5 million in a renovation and expansion of the airline's Maintenance Hangar and Parts Stores Facility. Additionally, the carrier is also committed to bringing more international travel options to Florida travelers with a new international terminal located at the Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. With scheduled completion in 2017, the terminal will have five gates, a new security checkpoint, and new concessions for travelers. 

Southwest Airlines proudly serves eight Florida airports: Ft. Lauderdale (FLL), Ft. Myers (RSW), Jacksonville (JAX), Orlando (MCO), Tampa Bay (TPA), Panama City Beach (ECP), Pensacola (PNS), and West Palm Beach (PBI). For city-specific service and employment numbers, visit our newsroom at swamedia.com.

To book these and other low fares, visit Southwest.com.

FARE RULES

Purchase May 21-24, 2015, 11:59 p.m. in the respective time zone of the originating city. Travel Nov. 1 through Dec. 16, 2015. Blackout Dates apply: Nov. 24-25, and November 28-30, 2015. Travel to Florida valid only on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.  Travel from Florida is valid only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays. Fares are valid on nonstop service. Displayed prices include all U.S. and international government taxes and fees. Seats and days are limited. Fares may vary by destination, flight, and day of week and won't be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods.  Travel is available for one-way Wanna Get Away® Fares. Fares may be combined with other Southwest Airlines combinable fares. If combining with other fares, the most restrictive fare's rules apply. Sale fares may be available on other days of the week, but are not guaranteed. Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied toward future travel on Southwest Airlines®, so long as you cancel your reservations at least ten minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your flight.  Failure to cancel prior to departure will result in forfeiture of remaining funds on the reservation.  Any change in itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Standby travel requires an upgrade to the Anytime Fare®. Fares are subject to change until ticketed.  Offer applies to published, scheduled service only.

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 more than 47,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest operates more than 3,600 flights a day, serving 94 destinations across the United States and six additional countries.  Southwest service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, begins on June 7, 2015. Service to Belize City, Belize, begins Oct. 15, 2015, and Liberia, Costa Rica, on Nov. 1, 2015, and both routes are subject to foreign government approval.

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, the majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate connectivity while over the United States.  That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to access streaming music provided by Beats Music or to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of our Valued Partners.  *Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free® (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some airlines may allow free checked bags on select routes or for qualified circumstances.) to everyone, and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply. In 2014, the airline proudly unveiled a bold new look:  Heart.  The new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcase 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 whenever the carrier enters new markets.  With 42 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 2014 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at SouthwestOneReport.com.

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

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

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