Southwest Airlines’ arrival into Atlanta with our first flights this Sunday is great news for Atlanta travelers and for Southwest. Atlanta has long been on our “wish list” of places we wanted to serve, and our acquisition of AirTran last May was the catalyst for making that desire a reality.
Atlanta’s dynamic economy, growing population, and forward-thinking civic and political leadership make it an ideal opportunity for Southwest expansion in this, our 41st year.
Beginning in 1971, with three airplanes flying among three Texas cities, we have grown over the past four decades to become the nation’s largest domestic airline in terms of the number of customers served. You may not know it, but we also serve more domestic business travelers than any other carrier.
This growth has been fueled by a relentless passion to provide our customers low fares, dependable on-time flights and customer-friendly policies that just make sense — such as no annoying bag fees or change fees. Starting with flights to five nonstop destinations this Sunday — expanding to a half-dozen more by late summer — and fully integrating AirTran over the next two years will ensure that Southwest’s historic role as the nation’s low-fare policeman will be a permanent reality for travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Once the integration of AirTran is complete, Southwest will serve 94 destinations in the United States, Caribbean and Mexico with nearly 200 daily departures. Many of those flights will serve markets not currently offered by AirTran, thus bringing low-fare travel to even more markets out of Atlanta.
In addition to bringing more low-fare destinations to Atlanta travelers, we are bringing the industry’s most rewarding frequent-flier program, Rapid Rewards. Gone are the days of earning miles that can’t be used when you really want to use them. With Rapid Rewards, you earn points for every dollar you spend and can then redeem those points just as you purchase a seat. That means that if a seat is available for sale, it’s available for redemption as a reward seat. So frequent fliers now have an awards program that they can actually use.
Southwest also offers open seating onboard, and once you experience it, you’ll understand why 100 million customers a year prefer it. After all, who wouldn’t prefer to select their own seat? Our gate areas accommodate business travelers with comfortable seating and charging locations while they wait to board their flights; our boarding process is fast and easy; and we offer our Business Select product, which includes priority boarding, extra Rapid Rewards points and a free alcoholic beverage onboard.
Feb. 12 is a huge day in the history of Southwest Airlines. We are eagerly anticipating our inaugural flights into Atlanta and look forward to a bright future together as a partner and good citizen in this special community.
Bob Jordan is executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Southwest Airlines and president of AirTran Airways.
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