12-24-2013
12:00 PM
3 Loves
At Southwest Airlines we’re NUTS about our Customers, be they young, old, frequent travelers, or first timers. And few things make us happier than knowing when that feeling is mutual. Recently, we received a full blown LUV Letter from perhaps one of our youngest enthusiasts—10 year old Connor, hopeful future Southwest pilot.
According to Connor’s parents, the LUV affair with our airline started at 18 months of age, when Connor’s attention was caught by one of our brightly painted planes outside a terminal window. Yes it really was “LUV at first sight.” As he got older, the fascination intensified. He began learning more about our airplanes, which he affectionately calls “Westys”, making a visit to the Boeing plant, and studying up on the fuel-saving advantages of our signature winglets. He also started dressing in full Southwest pilot uniform for all of his flights, an evolving ensemble that now includes epaulettes and credentials.
Over the course of his time as a Southwest Customer, he’s garnered the attention of a number of our Flight Crews, who Connor says are great and have always invited him into the cockpit. His dream is to one day join such a Crew, and he is determined to continue learning about all things aviation and Southwest. In his latest show of SPIRIT, Connor requested a Southwest-themed birthday party complete with boarding pass style invites and party games such as “Pin the Tail on the Westy.”
The LUV letter ends with: “Thank you to everyone at Southwest who has taken such an interest in Connor. As his parents we cannot tell you how much it means to us. No other airline is like Southwest. It has been a wonderful journey for all of us,” writes Connor’s mom, Katie. But really, it is all of us here at Southwest who must thank them. Stories like Connor’s are what bring our Purpose to life—connecting People—especially very young People—to what’s important in their lives. We know Connor will continue as a passionate supporter, and hope that one day he will be able to trade in his homemade badge for a real one.
Sending lots of LUV back at you,
The Southwest Airlines Team
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The best things come in threes: ingredients for a BLT, leaves on a shamrock, The Hanson Brothers … and our city openings!
This weekend, as part of our ongoing integration of AirTran Airways, Southwest will proudly begin service in Memphis, Tenn.; Pensacola, Fla.; and Richmond, Va. That means three new Southwest destinations for our Customers to enjoy! Keep reading to hear a few great reasons why we LUV our newest additions to the Southwest route map.
Airport Employees welcome the first Southwest LUV jet to land at Richmond
Richmond: Just an hour outside of the nation’s capital, this historic city is full of museums, galleries, and good ol’ Southern charm. Take a leisurely walk by the James River. Stroll down perfectly tree-lined and cobblestoned Monument Avenue, dotted with monuments to various war heroes and leaders. Or, if you’re looking for something a little faster paced, swing by the Richmond International Raceway where NASCAR is king!
Pensacola: You’ll want to pack your sunscreen and a swimsuit for this one—Pensacola is all about the beach. With white sand coastlines and crystal clear waters, you’ll feel more like you’re in the Caribbean than the states! Climb to the top of still-active Pensacola Lighthouse to take in the sights. Visit the National Naval Aviation Museum (psst, it’s free!) to learn a little history. Then if you’re feeling adventurous take a dive into the ocean and see the sunken USS Oriskany.
Elvis was on hand in Memphis as Southwest celebrated its first flights.
Memphis: Home of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Sun Studio, and Graceland, this city has everything to get your inner music lover “all shook up”. Seriously though, with a Museum on just about every corner, there is a ton of music history to be enjoyed in Memphis, especially, but not exclusively, for Elvis fans. And if the rock n’ roll lifestyle starts to get to you, you can enjoy the great outdoors, too, at Tom Lee Park or by taking a relaxing Mississippi River Boat tour.
We’re excited to add these three amazing destinations to our route map—we hope you’ll take the chance to visit them sometime!
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10-30-2013
09:00 AM
4 Loves
Like a creeping creature in an 80s horror flick, Halloween is right around the corner just waiting to startle and unnerve you. Boo! That means things are going to start getting a little spooky around Southwest and AirTran. From haunted gates to ghoulish Customer Service Agents, here’s what you can expect to see on this most frightening of fetes. And we promise there will be more treats than tricks!
Traveling with us on Halloween? Tag your photos with #HalloWN, and we may share them via our social channels. Additionally, all Customers who forego their brooms and travel onboard our planes on October 31 will receive an extra special treat: a complimentary free drink ... no tricks attached! Just sit back and let that “witches brew” cast a happy spell on you—if you’re 21 or over, of course.
And, because you are such good Customers, we feel it’s only right to forewarn you that you are likely to encounter an eeriness across our system as Halloween hobgoblins and spirits have already decked out ticket counters, podiums, and gate areas with spine-tingling splendor. Even our Employees are getting into the act with all manner of fang-tastc, frightful, or just plain funny finery. And, please don’t be afraid to join in on this monster mash—the more spirit the better!
If, after all that, you still can’t get enough supernatural Southwest in your life, visit the Southwest Freedom Shop at www.swafreedomshop.com for some fun and mystical merchandise.
So if you hear any witching whispers on the wind, or feel footsteps following you through the fog, remember--it’s just the fiendishly friendly folks at Southwest and AirTran wishing you a very Happy HalloWN!
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