Southwest Airlines will today liberate local residents from expensive and inconvenient air travel and declare them free to enjoy its low fares, frequent flights, and legendary Customer Service. As part of the airline's inaugural celebration, dignitaries will sign a giant Southwest Airlines "constitution."

As the inaugural flight pulls up to its gate, the 9-by-12 foot document will unfurl from the aircraft's front right door. Connecticut Gov. John Rowland and other local dignitaries will join Jim Wimberly, Southwest's executive vice president and chief operations officer, in signing the "constitution" with a six-foot feather pen.

"The days of tyranny of the high-fare carriers have gone the way of the Red Coats," Wimberly said in anticipation of the event. "Southwest Airlines is making history at Bradley International Airport with affordable and convenient service."

The festivities will continue as a group of 30 children from the local Boys and Girls Club, winners of the Southwest Airlines "Let Freedom Fly" poster contest, board the inaugural flight to Baltimore/Washington. The group will tour the Capitol and the National Air and Space Museum. The governor's foot guard band and professional whistler, Dick Shaw, will entertain the troops.

The nation's leading low-fare carrier, Southwest Airlines, brings long-awaited discount fares to Hartford/Springfield travelers. Southwest offers a $65 one-way unrestricted fare between Bradley International Airport and Baltimore/Washington. Prior to Southwest's service announcement, area residents were paying up to $245 each way for the same flight. In addition to low fares on its nonstop flights, Southwest also offers significant savings on its direct or connecting flights. For Customers traveling to such longhaul destinations as Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix, the unrestricted fare will be no greater than $305 each way.

"Southwest's low fares have made a strong economic impact in its other New England cities," Gov. Rowland said. "We are looking forward to the dynamic benefits its fares will bring to our airport and our local economy."

Southwest began service from Bradley International Airport on Oct. 31, 1999, with 12 daily nonstop departures to four cities: Baltimore/Washington, Chicago Midway, Nashville, and Orlando.

An additional Saturday only nonstop flight to Las Vegas begins Nov. 6. Southwest offers direct or connecting service from Bradley International Airport to 29 additional cities such as Houston Hobby, Ft. Lauderdale, Phoenix, and Tampa Bay.

With the addition of service to Bradley International Airport, Southwest Airlines, the fourth largest domestic carrier in terms of Customers boarded, serves 55 cities in 29 states with more than 2,500 flights a day.

The airline, which currently employs more than 29,000 workers, has been included in FORTUNE magazine's list of 100 Best Companies to Work for in America two years in a row.

www.southwest.com

Southwest Airlines Fares from Hartford/Springfield

Southwest Airlines From Bradley International Airport to:	Unrestricted, Full Fare One-Way	Seven-Day Advance Purchase Fare—Each way based on roundtrip travel**	$99 or Less Fare Sale—Each way based on roundtrip travel***
Albuquerque	$280	$172	$99
Austin	250	154	99
Baltimore/Washington*	65	39	39
Birmingham	190	118	99
Chicago Midway*	157	89	89
Cleveland	147	87	87
Columbus	147	87	87
Detroit Metro	168	105	99
Ft. Lauderdale	169	102	99
Houston Hobby	240	148	99
Indianapolis	166	102	99
Jackson, Miss.	207	128	99
Jacksonville, Fl.	187	106	99
Kansas City	210	126	99
Las Vegas	305	188	99
Little Rock	210	130	99
Los Angeles	305	188	99
Louisville	167	102	99
Nashville*	157	89	89
New Orleans	219	136	99
Oakland	305	188	99
Omaha	220	136	99
Ontario, Calif.	305	185	99
Orlando*	159	99	99
Phoenix	305	163	99
Raleigh-Durham	119	69	69
Reno/Tahoe	325	208	99
Sacramento	305	188	99
San Antonio	260	160	99
San Diego	305	188	99
San Jose	302	185	99
St. Louis	190	118	99
Tampa	169	106	99

* Denotes nonstop service

 

** Seats are limited and an overnight stay is required. Tickets must be purchased within one day of making reservations and are nonrefundable but may be applied, if unused, toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest. Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility charges of up to $6 each way and a federal tax of $2.25 per segment.

*** Tickets must be purchased by Nov. 3 and travel must be completed by March 31, 2000. The offer is good for roundtrip travel only, and an overnight stay is required. Seats are limited and will not be available on some flights that operate during peak travel times, including the Thanksgiving holiday. Tickets must be purchased within one day of making reservations. For this sale, tickets are nonrefundable, but, if unused, may be applied toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest Airlines. Fares are subject to change until ticketed, and any change in itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Fares do not include airport taxes of $3 to $12 roundtrip or a federal excise tax of $2.25 per segment.

Media Please Call Public Relations (214) 792-4847

Customers Please Call (800) I FLY SWA or en Español (800) VAMONOS