Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) today announced the return of its popular $99 or less one-way fares from every city it serves. Tickets purchased by Jan. 16, 2001 are available for travel from Jan. 3, through June 8, 2001 on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday departure.

"Who wouldn't want to receive the gift of travel this holiday season?" asks Joyce Rogge, Southwest's vice president of marketing. "With travel starting right after the New Year, it's the perfect gift -- one you might even give yourself!"

Fares quoted are one-way and require a roundtrip purchase. Tickets must be purchased within one day of making a reservation and at least seven days before departure. Seats are limited and will not be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. (Florida markets will not be available from March 15 through April 15, 2001.) A stayover of at least one night is required, though the Customer may choose the night. Tickets are nonrefundable, but may be applied toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest Airlines. Fares do not include airport taxes of up to $18 roundtrip or a $2.75 segment fee. (A segment is defined as a takeoff and a landing.)

For Customers in Southwest Airlines' Florida or California cities, its destinations in the Pacific Northwest, Chicago, St. Louis, or Kansas City, there's even more good news. Southwest Airlines is reducing fares there even further.

In addition to the $99 or less sale, Customers in Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City will benefit from fares of just $30 each way. It's just $30 each way between Chicago/Midway and: Nashville, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Omaha, Louisville, and St. Louis. Between St. Louis and: Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Omaha, Louisville, Chicago/Midway, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa it's just $30 each way. Between Kansas City and: Indianapolis, St. Louis, Chicago, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa it's just $30 each way. (All fares are good for travel Jan. 3 through Feb. 15, 2001. The same rules and restrictions as the $99 or less fares still apply.)

Southwest's Florida Customers have fares as low as $39 each way between any Southwest Airlines Florida city and: New Orleans, Jackson, Miss., Birmingham, Ala., Nashville, and Raleigh-Durham. They're just $49 each way between Florida and: Baltimore/Washington, Long Island/Islip, Hartford/Springfield, Providence, Manchester, Albany, and Buffalo. It's $59 each way between Florida and: Louisville, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago/Midway, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Omaha. For $79 each way, Customers can travel between Florida and: Houston, Harlingen/Rio Grande Valley, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, Little Rock, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, El Paso, and Albuquerque. (All fares are good for travel Jan. 3 through Feb. 15, 2001. The same rules and restrictions as the $99 or less fares still apply.)

Flying within California also is a lot less expensive these days. It's just $44 each way on all flights within the state. (Southwest Airlines serves the California cities of San Diego, Orange County*, Los Angeles, Burbank, Ontario, San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, and Sacramento.) Californians flying from the Bay Area (Oakland or San Jose) to Seattle, Spokane, or Portland may do that for just $59 each way. (All fares are good for travel Jan. 3 through June 8, 2001. The same rules and restrictions as the $99 or less fares still apply.)

Within the Pacific Northwest, Southwest Airlines also is making travel more affordable. It's just $39 each way between Spokane, Boise, Portland, and Seattle. Customers also may travel between Boise and Salt Lake City for just $39 each way. For just $59 each way, Customers can travel a bit further, like Salt Lake City to Seattle, Spokane, and Portland. (All fares are good for travel Jan. 3 through June 8, 2001. The same rules and restrictions as the $99 or less fares still apply.)

Southwest Airlines, the fourth largest domestic carrier in terms of Customers boarded, currently serves 58 airports in 57 cities in 29 states. Southwest will initiate service from Palm Beach International Airport on Jan. 21, 2001. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 2,650 flights a day with a fleet of 342 Boeing 737s with an average age of 8.4 years -- one of the youngest pure jet fleets in the domestic airline industry.

*Due to capacity restrictions at John Wayne International Airport, Orange County is not included in this sale.