Want To Escape?

Southwest Airlines is making it less expensive to travel between cities that are far apart. The carrier announced a special fare of $99 or less each way between any two published destinations on its 54-city route map.

"These are really great deals for travel between all of our cities that are not just a hop, skip, and jump away," says Joyce Rogge, Southwest's vice president of marketing. "For example, Tampa Bay residents can fly to Seattle for $99 each way, compared to $248 each way. The fare from Ft. Lauderdale to Reno also is $99 each way, compared to $268 each way," says Rogge.

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 Labor Day and Thanksgiving holidays. Tickets must be purchased by July 28, and the first date of travel is August 16, 1999. Travel must be completed by December 6, 1999. Tickets must be purchased within one day of making reservations. 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 nor a federal excise tax of up to $2.25 per segment.

"But Southwest isn't satisfied with putting just its long distance fares on special," says Rogge. "To sweeten the deal, we're offering further discounts in select markets for travel during September only."

During September, travel between the following cities is available for $59 each way, based on roundtrip purchase:

Travel for these September Specials must be purchased by July 28, and travel is good September 1-30 only. Seats are limited and may not be available for Labor Day holiday travel.

Customers can purchase tickets by calling Southwest Airlines at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA or their local travel agent, or by visiting Southwest's "web site" at www.southwest.com.

Southwest Airlines, through its continuing innovations, is making travel easier than ever. With Ticketless Travel, Customers using any major credit card can experience the ease of traveling without a ticket. Southwest Airlines was the first major airline to offer Ticketless Travel on all of its scheduled flights and more than 70 percent of Southwest Customers currently use the Ticketless system.

www.southwest.com