Southwest Airlines

How to Dress for a Flight: In Defense of Looking Good in an Age of Leggings

How to Dress for a Flight: In Defense of Looking Good in an Age of Leggings

The recent headlines concerning two passengers who were not allowed to fly because they were wearing leggings has given rise to a discussion of what passengers should wear when flying as well as what is expressly forbidden by airlines or proscribed by common decency.
Long gone are the days when dressing in more formal attire for a flight was customary and when dressing up could land a passenger an upgrade. At this …

Southwest Reaches New Agreement with its Aircraft Parts Inventory Managers

Southwest Reaches New Agreement with its Aircraft Parts Inventory Managers

Southwest Airlines announced that it reached an agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for a new contract for the company’s Material Specialists, which represents the airline’s inventory managers.
The Dallas-based carrier said its negotiating team will be meeting with Teamsters representatives in the near future to finalize the contract. Details of the agreement were not released.
The contract covers over 300 inventory managers who deliver, store, and stock aircraft parts at …

As Smartphones and Tablets Proliferate, Airlines Shed Seatback Screens in Favor of Bring-Your-Own-Device Policies

As Smartphones and Tablets Proliferate, Airlines Shed Seatback Screens in Favor of Bring-Your-Own-Device Policies

Four years ago, on American Airlines’ 2013 inaugural flight of its new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which flew from Dallas to São Paulo, Brazil, I asked then CEO Tom Horton why he had bothered to include seatback screens throughout the aircraft. He proudly pointed out all of the high-tech features of the aircraft including the cool remote control in the Flagship Suite first-class cabin that controlled the 17” display and had …

Southwest Reports Decline in Load Factor for January, Forecasts Drop in RASM in Q1

Southwest Reports Decline in Load Factor for January, Forecasts Drop in RASM in Q1

Southwest Airlines announced operational results for January 2017.
The carrier’s total system traffic was 9.35 billion RPMs, or revenue passenger miles, a year-over-year increase of 4.6% from 8.94 billion RPMs in January 2016.
The airline reported a total system capacity of 12.27 billion ASMs, or available seat miles, up 6.2% from 11.54 billion the previous January.
Meanwhile, Southwest’s load factor for the month dropped, down to 76.3% from 77.5% the preceding January, a …

Southwest to Begin San Diego-Los Cabos Route, Add 4 International Destinations from Fort Lauderdale

Southwest to Begin San Diego-Los Cabos Route, Add 4 International Destinations from Fort Lauderdale

Southwest Airlines announced that it plans to launch service between San Diego and Los Cabos, Mexico on April 17. The flights are subject to requisite government approval.
San Diego will be the carrier’s fourth city in California to offer non-stop international service.
In addition, the Dallas-based airline said that it will offer multiple flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on June 4.  The new destinations include Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Belize, and …

Southwest Reports Rise in December and Full-Year Traffic but Drop in Load Factor

Southwest Reports Rise in December and Full-Year Traffic but Drop in Load Factor

Southwest Airlines announced operational results for December 2016 as well as for calendar year 2016.
The carrier’s total system traffic was 10.445 billion RPMs, or revenue passenger miles, in December, a year-over-year increase of 4.2% from 10.02 billion RPMs in December 2015. For the year, the carrier saw 124.798 billion RPMs, a 6.2% increase from 117.4 billion in 2015.
The airline reported a total system capacity of 12.646 billion ASMs, or available …

Southwest to Bring Wi-Fi to Entire Fleet in 2017

Southwest to Bring Wi-Fi to Entire Fleet in 2017

Southwest Airlines announced two news deals that will see the carrier offer enhanced in-flight Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment services.
The carrier said it had signed agreements with Panasonic to provide Internet and live television while in-flight as well as with Global Eagle Entertainment extending the on-board use of the company’s Airconnect connectivity system and services for in-flight entertainment.
Southwest’s first Panasonic-equipped aircraft is expected to enter service late next year.
The carrier, like …