Southwest Airlines Community

In celebration of Southwest Airlines’ 50 th Anniversary, we’re thrilled to announce our first public-facing episodic podcast, called “Is This Seat Open?” This podcast offers a unique perspective on stories from our colorful history and was created in partnership with L.A. Times Studios and At Will Media.     The title “Is This Seat Open?” comes from our open-seating policy, which is just one of the many unique ways of doing things here at Southwest. “Is This Seat Open?” covers 20 stories, from the very early days at Southwest, up to the present day. Each story is told by some of the People who were there to experience these iconic moments in history. Two of our Employees, Quinnie and Lucas, host the podcast.   Here are just a few of the stories that are shared in “Is This Seat Open?”: Who Was Herb? Hear about Southwest Founder, Herb Kelleher, from the perspective of his daughter, Ruth. Fare Play & Bottle of Booze: Southwest’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ryan Green shares how a 1973 marketing masterstroke saved the fledgling airline and helped it turn its first annual profit. Bringing Dad Home: Now retired Southwest Pilot Bryan Knight reveals how Southwest helped him honorably lay to rest his late father, a Vietnam veteran who had been missing for 52 years.  Go-Go Boots, Khakis, & Jams: Southwest Employee uniforms have been iconic throughout the carrier’s 50 years of flying. Kelli Bartlett, a Flight Attendant who has been with Southwest for more than four decades, recalls each unique uniform throughout the years and describes the current 75 bold, striking, and casual-yet-professional pieces worn today.    In addition to listening to the podcast, you also can visit latimes.com/isthisseatopen to see photos, archival content, videos, news clips, and write-ups for further context and information about each story.   Happy listening! Be sure to share your favorite episodes in the comments below!   *The Los Angeles Times Newsroom was not involved in the production of this podcast. ... View more

The following blog post was written by Southwest Customer Brenda Yeh. I always get a little nervous traveling with my five-year-old, autistic daughter, Mikaela. She's been doing much better on airplanes, but I always ask to pre-board because walking onto a flight full of people can be overwhelming.   Similarly, for my Southwest flight from Burbank to San Jose, I had asked to pre-board. The Southwest Gate Agent was helpful and printed my pre-board ticket, but didn't say much more (nor would I have expected any more). An hour later, as we were boarding, he quickly handed me a little booklet, which I thought was something for my daughter to draw on during the flight. I was slightly flustered since I was literally walking out of the gate to the airplane, so I quickly said thank you and left.   After we settled in our seats, I realized it was not just a plain booklet, but the most amazing gift I've ever received from a stranger. He illustrated a storybook, "Mikaela's Flight". Needless to say, I cried tears of joy throughout the entire flight.     Every parent struggles, and a part of my struggle is my own anxiety, stemming from never knowing when and what may cause my child to have a breakdown. So, to know that someone cares and understands really puts me at ease. And even more importantly, he's made me more hopeful for all the good people in this world. His actions were kind and sincere, and perfectly illustrates why Southwest boasts its People as its "single greatest strength."   ... View more

There are a host of reasons why I love working at Southwest Airlines. Among them are flight privileges that allow me to travel the world, the amazing Culture, and the incredible People who I get to work alongside. Though, another reason that makes Southwest great is the Company’s desire to give back to its Employees through ProfitSharing. That’s right, today is ProfitSharing Day, the day when we celebrate last year’s financial success and also the day that our ProfitSharing award is paid out to Employees!     Our CEO Gary Kelly put it simply, “When our Company does well, our People do really, really well.” I count it an honor and privilege to work for a Company that puts its People first and shares a portion of its profit with Employees. This year’s ProfitSharing award amounts to $586 million for Southwest Employees. That means that eligible Employees will be awarded 13.2 percent of their eligible compensation as part of ProfitSharing. This award helps us to save and plan for our future retirement, while also enjoying a portion of ProfitSharing to be paid out in cash.     We have a saying here at Southwest that governs how we approach everything we do: “One Team. All Heart.” Each Employee plays a part in owning our success and providing that legendary Southwest Customer Service and Hospitality to every Customer. We don’t take our success for granted because we know we have to continue taking pride in our Company and working as one Team with Southwest Heart.   Visit southwest.com/careers to apply for a career if you’re interested in joining our Company! ... View more

“Stay true to yourself and always remain focused.” Shannon R. Wilson is no stranger to Customer Service, so it makes sense that she has flown Southwest Airlines for almost a decade. A business owner and hair stylist in Paincourtville, Louisiana, Shannon always goes the extra mile for her Customers. Because her husband works in Texas, she flies from Houston to New Orleans every Thursday to style her clients before returning on Sunday. But Shannon doesn’t go alone—she has her favorite travel Companion, her 3-year-old son, Landon, by her side. Landon has already logged more than 200 Southwest flights, meaning he and Shannon are in the running for most well-traveled mother/son duo in Southwest history. Why Southwest “The flexibility that Southwest offers allows me to provide for both my family and my clients.” Side Hustle “In Louisiana, I close the salon at certain times and teach a boot camp at a local football field.” Travel Tips “Be patient, especially when traveling with children. Take your time so you’re not rushed and overwhelmed because that’s when things fall apart.” ... View more

Dry your tears or grab your foam fingers because the selection committee is proud to officially announce the 16 destinations that will compete in this year’s Destination Bracket, sponsored by Southwest gift card. More so than ever, the competition to even be selected was fierce and not without controversy. In a year that holds no destination destined to cut down the nets, it's anyone's bracket. The Destination Bracket pits four categories against one another, and crowns one champion. THE DESTINATION BRACKET HAS BEGUN AT FACEBOOK.COM/SOUTHWEST! The destination categories: • Play • Relax • Eat • Explore The destinations: As there are only 16 spots, the destination selection committee meticulously selected the destinations using RRPI (Rapid Rewards Performance Index).  RRPI is a sophisticated algorithm that measures the following categories: current inbound/outbound schedule passenger traffic social media sentiment analysis Rapid Rewards points and Southwest gift cards redeemed by location (segmented also by points earned using the Chase Visa Rapid Rewards credit card). If you’re questioning our methods, it’s not unjustified. These destinations were actually picked by a method that involved a large map of Southwest destinations and a blindfold. But nonetheless, we think they’re some stellar cities with the potential to take it all or bust your bracket. The tournament will consist of four rounds and starts Friday, March 18. For each matchup you will be able to either “Love” to vote for one destination, “Share” to vote for the other, then comment with your pick to be officially entered into each contest (NOTE: you can only vote once per matchup)! Throughout the bracket, we will be staffing a team of expert commentators to provide an insightful and comical “basketball-like” analysis on Nuts About Southwest and Facebook. Destination Bracket schedule (subject to change): Round 1 (Full 16): Friday, March 18 & Saturday, March 19 Round 2 (Only 8): Thursday, March 24 & Friday, March 25 Round 3 (Last Four): Saturday, April 2 Round 4 (Destination Championship): Monday, April 4     Destination Bracket Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) Official Rules NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.  VOID IN ALASKA, HAWAII, PUERTO RICO AND WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. Eligibility: Sweepstakes open to all legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older and have a valid e-mail address and Facebook® account at the time of entry. Employees of Southwest Airlines Co. (“Sponsor”), its advertising and promotions agencies, and their immediate families (spouse and parents, children and siblings and their spouses) and individuals living in the same households of such employees are ineligible.  Eligibility is contingent on agreement to, and compliance with, these Official Rules.  Sweepstakes subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.  This Sweepstakes is offered in the United States only and shall only be construed and evaluated according to United States law. Do not enter this Sweepstakes if you are not located in the United States. To Enter: Sweepstakes runs from March 18, 2016 through April 4, 2016 (“Sweepstakes Period”). The Sweepstakes will consist of four (4) entry periods (each a “Sweepstakes Matchup Period”): First period: March 18, 2016 – March 21, 2016 Second period: March 24, 2016 – March 25, 2016 Third period: April 2, 2016 Fourth period: April 4, 2016 Each Sweepstakes Matchup Period begins at 9:00 a.m. CT and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on the dates listed above. To enter the Sweepstakes, Participants (as defined below) should follow Southwest Airlines® on Facebook via the Official Southwest Airlines Facebook page to receive notice of the Sweepstakes and be directed to the Official Rules on the “Nuts About Southwest” blog. To participate in the Sweepstakes, during each Sweepstakes Matchup Period, go to the Official Southwest Airlines Facebook page and comment on that period’s destination bracket photo showing all the contending destinations for the period.  “Love” or “Share” your destination(s) for that period’s matchup.  Destinations will compete in quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.  The destination winner of each matchup will be determined by the destination with the most comments, by either Love or Share, as indicated on the graphic for that matchup.  Comment must be posted to the Official Southwest Airlines Facebook page in the comments section of the original Sweepstakes Matchup Period post, using the hashtags #DestinationBracket and #Sweepstakes. All entries become property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Incomplete entries are not eligible. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. PT on March 21, 2016, March 25, 2016, April 2, 2016, and April 4, 2016 for the first, second, third, and fourth Sweepstakes Matchup Periods, respectively.  Entries limited to one (1) per person. Sponsor’s computer is the official timekeeping device for this Sweepstakes.  Participants must use the hashtag #Sweepstakes for entry to be valid.  Questions, comments, or complaints regarding this Sweepstakes must be directed to Sponsor and not to Facebook. No photocopied, mechanically, or electronically reproduced entries accepted.  Any attempt by any person found to enter or in any way attempt to obtain more than the authorized number of entries will be found to be ineligible, and their entries will be disqualified.  Any eligible individual participating in this Sweepstakes shall be a “Participant.”  Participation must be by the Participant. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a Participant, the authorized account holder of the Facebook/e-mail account used to enter the Sweepstakes will be deemed to be the Participant.  Potential winners may be required to show proof of being the authorized Facebook/e-mail account holder.  If the identity of the individual who actually participated in the Sweepstakes cannot be resolved to Sponsor’s satisfaction, the affected individual’s entry will be deemed ineligible. Participants are required to provide truthful information and Sponsor will reject and delete any entry that it discovers to be false or fraudulent.  Sponsor will disqualify any entry from individuals who do not meet the eligibility requirements, and may also delete any entry received from persons under the age of 13 in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. Drawing: Sponsor will conduct a random drawing for each Sweepstakes Matchup Period. Each eligible entry that predicts a destination matchup winner during a Sweepstakes Matchup Period will be entered into that period’s random drawing.  Entries from each Sweepstakes Matchup Period do not carry over to another Sweepstakes Matchup Period.  The random drawings will occur on the following dates: First period: March 24, 2016 Second period: March 28, 2016 Third period: April 5, 2016 Fourth period: April 7, 2016 Potential winners will be notified via Facebook on or about April 7, 2016.  Potential winner will be asked to contact Sponsor with a given e-mail address provided via Facebook.  Once potential winner and Sponsor make e-mail contact, Sponsor will provide a photo for the potential winner to upload to the Facebook account the user uploaded the photo with in order to validate their account.  Upon validation, potential winner must execute and return the Required Documentation (as defined below) in which he or she agrees to hold Sponsor, Facebook, and each of their parent, subsidiary and affiliated corporations, and the officers, shareholders, directors, employees, agents and representatives harmless against any and all claims or liability arising directly or indirectly from the use or misuse of a prize or participation in the Sweepstakes the Required Documentation will be mailed or e-mailed, based on the potential winner’s preference upon account validation, and must be executed and returned within seven (7) days or the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner may be chosen.  Odds of winning will depend on the total number of eligible entries received during any Sweepstakes Matchup Period which select a winning destination. Participants need not be present to win. All potential winners are subject to eligibility verification by Sponsor, whose decisions are final and binding.  A PARTICIPANT IS NOT A WINNER OF ANY PRIZE, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF BEING A WINNER, UNLESS AND UNTIL THE PARTICIPANT’S ELIGIBILITY HAS BEEN VERIFIED. Prize: There will be fifteen (15) prizes awarded as follows: First period: Eight (8) winners will each be awarded one Southwest® gift card worth $25 Second period: Four (4) winners will each be awarded one Southwest® gift card worth $50 Third period: Two (2) winners will each be awarded one Southwest® gift card worth $100 Fourth period: One (1) winner will be awarded one Southwest® card worth $400 Approximate retail value of all prizes is $1,000. Gift Card Restrictions:  Terms and conditions of the Southwest ® gift card apply.   A Southwest ® gift card is only redeemable at southwest.com, 1-800-I-FLY-SWA, or any Southwest Airlines ticket counter for passenger air travel. Domestic oversized and excess baggage, sales tax, security fees, passenger facilities charges, pet fare, and unaccompanied minor service charge may be paid for with a Southwest ® gift card.  A Southwest ® gift card is not valid for the purchase of Vacation Packages, Cargo, Hotel, Rental Car, Group Tickets, additional Southwest ® gift cards, EarlyBird Check-In, Southwest Airlines Merchandise, international baggage fees, or inflight purchases. Only four (4) total forms of payment including Southwest ® gift card, may be combined per purchase. A Southwest ® gift card is nonrefundable and not redeemable for cash or credit except where required by federal or applicable state law. A Southwest ® gift card is not replaceable if lost, stolen, or destroyed.  A Southwest ® gift card never expires and has no fees. Activation or use of a Southwest ® gift card constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions listed at southwest.com. For full terms and conditionals visit http://www.southwest.com/html/air/products/gift-card-terms-and-conditions.html. To Claim Prize: Winners will be notified as specified above and will be required to complete and sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability Release and, where legal, a Publicity Release (collectively, the “Required Documentation”). If a potential winner cannot be contacted using the information provided or fails to respond to Sponsor’s attempt to notify them of selection within three (3) days; if any notification is returned as undeliverable or yields an error of undeliverable type “bounce back” email (regardless if the message is ultimately delivered to the recipient); if Sponsor is unable to verify potential winner’s eligibility; if potential winner fails to sign and return the Required Documentation within the required time period or fails to comply with these Official Rules; if any prize is returned undeliverable; if a potential winner is unable or unwilling to accept the prize as stated; or if the potential winner cannot be verified as eligible for any other reason, the potential winner is disqualified and an alternate winner will be selected by random drawing from among the eligible entries containing a correct code word.  In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, the next received and eligible entry received by Sponsor that is fully compliant with these Official Rules shall be deemed the winner, until the prize is awarded or until four (4) attempts have been made to award the prize and each attempt has failed.  Sponsor will identify each potential winner and verify the potential winner’s eligibility after the end of the Sweepstakes Period.  If unable to verify eligibility, Sponsor will select an alternate potential winner within a reasonable time thereafter.  If applicable, winner’s guest must execute a Liability Release and, where legal, Publicity Release, prior to the issuance of travel documents.  If a guest is under eighteen (18) years of age, a parent or a legal guardian must sign on behalf of such guest and accompany such minor guest. Conditions: Payments of all federal, state, and local taxes are solely the responsibility of the winner.  Winner will be required to sign an IRS Form W-9 with the winner’s full social security number or the equivalent.  Failure to submit a Form W-9 upon request will result in forfeiture of the prize.  Winnings of $600 or more will be reported to the IRS. By participating in the Sweepstakes, winner agrees to have his/her name, voice, likeness, photograph, statements, opinions, biographical information and/or Sweepstakes entry used in any advertising or broadcasting material, whether relating to this Sweepstakes or otherwise, in any media, worldwide, now known or hereinafter developed, in perpetuity, without additional notice, payment, or other compensation unless prohibited by law, and, where legal, to sign a publicity release confirming such consent prior to acceptance of the prize. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, stolen, mangled, misdelivered, postage due, illegible, incomplete or late entries, telephone service outages, delays, busy signals, equipment malfunctions and any other technological difficulties that may prevent an individual from entering or claiming a prize. Sponsor, it its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process, the operation of Sponsor’s website, or otherwise in violation of the Official Rules.  Sponsor further reserves the right to cancel, terminate or modify the Sweepstakes if it is not capable of completion as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention or technical failures of any sort.  In such event, Sponsor reserves the right, but not the obligation, to award any applicable prize(s) from the entries submitted before the cancellation, suspension, or modification of the Sweepstakes.  Any attempt to undermine the operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor reserves the right to make changes in the Official Rules, including the substitution of a prize of greater or equivalent value, which will become effective upon announcement. Failure to comply with the Official Rules may result in Participant’s disqualification solely at the discretion of the Sponsor. The Sponsor is not responsible for typographical or other errors in the printing, the offering or the administration of the Sweepstakes, or in the announcement of a prize.  In any case, the final winner of all prizes will be determined, and prizes will be awarded, within a reasonable time after the end of the Sweepstakes Period, except as agreed between Sponsor and winner. In the event a prize is mailed to a winner, it will be with the prior written consent of the winner and therefore, winner assumes the risk of its loss.  Sponsor is not responsible for the safe arrival of a prize.  Sponsor is not responsible if potential winner does not receive his/her prize because erroneous, expired, canceled, fraudulent, or fake information was provided during the Sweepstakes.  Only the prize(s) set forth in these Official Rules will be awarded.  If, through printing or production error, or for any other reason whatsoever, more prizes are claimed than intended and/or set forth in these Official Rules, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes from all legitimate, unawarded, eligible prize claims. Limitation of Liability: NEITHER SPONSOR NOR ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATED ENTITIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PRINTING OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS IN ANY SWEEPSTAKES-RELATED MATERIALS OR TRANSACTIONS THAT ARE PROCESSED LATE OR INCORRECTLY OR ARE LOST DUE TO COMPUTER OR ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION. WINNER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL TAXES ON PRIZE AND FOR ANY TRAVEL OR OTHER EXPENSES NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IN PRIZE DESCRIPTION. SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL OR MODIFY SWEEPSTAKES IF FRAUD OR TECHNICAL FAILURE COMPROMISES THE INTEGRITY OF THE SWEEPSTAKES AS DETERMINED BY SPONSOR IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION. THIS SWEEPSTAKES OFFER IS BEING MADE EXCLUSIVELY BY THE SPONSOR.  SPONSOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TECHNICAL, HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, OR TELEPHONE FAILURE OF ANY KIND, LOST OR UNAVAILABLE NETWORK CONNECTIONS OR FRAUD, INCOMPLETE, GARBLED, OR DELAYED COMPUTER TRANSMISSION WHETHER CAUSED BY SPONSOR, USER, OR BY ANY OF THE EQUIPMENT OR PROGRAMMING ASSOCIATED WITH OR UTILIZED IN THE SWEEPSTAKES, OR BY ANY TECHNICAL OR HUMAN ERROR WHICH MAY OCCUR IN THE PROCESS OF SUBMISSIONS WHICH MAY LIMIT A PARTICIPANT'S ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. NEITHER SPONSOR NOR ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATED ENTITIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR INJURY INCURRED BY WINNER AND GUESTS AS A RESULT OF WINNING. BY ENTERING, PARTICIPANTS AGREE TO RELEASE HOLD HARMLESS, DEFEND AND INDEMNIFY EACH OF SPONSOR,  AND ITS RESPECTIVE PARENTS, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS, AND ANY AND ALL OTHER COMPANIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SWEEPSTAKES (COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASED PARTIES”) AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, DAMAGES, OR CAUSES OR ACTION (HOWEVER NAMED OR DESCRIBED), RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF (I) THE SWEEPSTAKES, (II) PARTICIPANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SWEEPSTAKES, AND (III) THE RECEIPT OR USE OR MISUSE OF THE PRIZE(S) AWARDED HEREIN.  POSSIBLE CLAIMS OR CAUSES OF ACTION INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, INFRINGEMENT OF ANY RIGHT OF PUBLICITY OR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; THREATENED OR ACTUAL INJURY, LOSS, OR DAMAGE TO ANY PERSON, INCLUDING DEATH AND DISABILITY; DEFAMATION OR PORTRAYAL IN A FALSE LIGHT (INTENTIONAL AND UNINTENTIONAL); AND DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF PROPERTY, ARISING OUT OF SUCH PARTICIPANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SWEEPSTAKES OR RECEIPT OR USE OR MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE.  IN NO EVENT WILL THE RELEASED PARTIES BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS SWEEPSTAKES. If for any reason a Participant's entry is confirmed to have been voided or corrupted by any grossly negligent act of the Sponsor, Participant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Sweepstakes, subject to availability and provided that the Sweepstakes has not then expired. CONSTRUCTION AND DISPUTES: Participants waive any right to claim ambiguity in these Official Rules. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of any participant and Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Texas, or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any such provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, these Official Rules shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained therein. Any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including associated with entering this Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees. Sponsor reserves the right to correct clerical or typographical errors in Sweepstakes materials or these Official Rules. Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION FOR ANY DISPUTE SHALL BE IN THE FEDERAL OR STATE COURTS LOCATED IN DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS. Privacy: By entering this Sweepstakes, each Participant agrees to Sponsor’s manner of collection, use, retention, and disclosure of Participant’s personal information submitted in connection with the Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, all names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, and birth dates obtained from or provided by Participants. Information collected is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy and any state or federal law. Sponsor's privacy policy can be found at http://www.southwest.com/html/about-southwest/terms-and-conditions/privacy-policy-pol.html. Official Rules and Winner’s List: Official Rules and Winner’s List (when complete) may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Southwest Airlines Co., Emerging Media, P.O. Box 36611, Dallas, Texas 75235-1611. Sponsor: Southwest Airlines Co., 2702 Love Field Drive, Dallas, Texas 75235. ... View more

UPDATE: Congratulations to these three Customers for winning the Pet Halloween Costume Photo Contest: Thank you to all those who entered our Pet Halloween Costume Photo Contest! The competition was spooktacular, and we had Fun seeing your furry friends dressed up in their costumes! 1 Place - @cheshirecatgryn 1 st Place - @cheshirecatgryn 2 nd Place - @KateBrink1 3 rd Place - @MorganAnnetteP   Southwest has a long history of celebrating Halloween like no one else.  This year we wanted to give you an opportunity to join in the fun with a pet Halloween Costume Contest! Between October 27, 2015, and November 2, 2015, send a photo of your pet all dressed up for a chance to win a Southwest gift card.  To participate in the Contest, tweet an original photo of your pet in a Halloween costume via your Twitter account during the contest period.  Entries must be tweeted to the Official Southwest Airlines Twitter account (@SouthwestAir), and use the hashtags #SouthwestPet and #Contest.  Don’t forget to follow Southwest Airlines on Twitter to be considered for the contest. One grand prize winner will receive a $250 Southwest® Gift Card. One second place winner will receive a $150 Southwest® Gift Card, and one third place winner will receive a $100 Southwest® Gift Card. Here’s how you enter to win: Follow Southwest’s official account on Twitter (@SouthwestAir) Between October 27, 2015, and November 2, 2015, tweet us a photo of your pet all dressed up and use the hashtags #SouthwestPet and #Contest A panel of judges will evaluate each photo and select a winner based on creativity, originality, entertainment-value, Southwest appeal, and compliance with the official rules. Not on Twitter yet? No problem! You can sign up for free today and then follow Southwest’s official account @SouthwestAir.  Photos on other social networks are welcomed and appreciated, but will not be eligible for contest participation. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES PET HALLOWEEN COSTUME PHOTO CONTEST (“Contest”) OFFICIAL RULES NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING.  VOID IN ALASKA, HAWAII, PUERTO RICO AND WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. 1.  Eligibility Restrictions a. This Contest is open to all legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia who are 21 years of age or older and the age of majority in their place of residence and have a valid email address and Twitter account as of October 27, 2015.   Eligibility is contingent on agreement to, and compliance with, these Official Rules.  Employees of Southwest Airlines Co. (“Sponsor”) and the members of their immediate families (spouse and parents, children and siblings and their spouses) and individuals living in the same households of such employees are ineligible to enter or win.  The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. b. Only one (1) winner per household and per Twitter account is permitted during the Contest Period (as defined below).  Any attempt by any person found to use multiple Twitter accounts to enter, or in any other way attempt to obtain more than the authorized number of entries will be found to be ineligible, and their entries will be disqualified. Any eligible individual participating in this Contest shall be a “Participant.”  Participation must be by the Participant.  In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a Participant, the authorized account holder of the Twitter account used to enter the Contest will be deemed to be the Participant.  Potential winners may be required to show proof of being the authorized Twitter account holder.  If the identity of the individual who actually participated in the Contest cannot be resolved to Sponsor’s satisfaction, the affected individual’s entry will be deemed ineligible. c. Participants are required to provide truthful information and Sponsor will reject and delete any entry that it discovers to be false or fraudulent.  Sponsor will disqualify any entry from individuals who do not meet the eligibility requirements, and Sponsor may delete any entry received from persons under the age of 13 in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. 2. How to Enter the Contest a. The Contest will begin at 10 a.m. CT on October 27, 2015 and end at 10 p.m. CT on November 2, 2015 (“Contest Period”).  During the Contest Period, potential participants must have a Twitter account and use appropriate tags in their submitted photos as described below. b. To enter the Contest, potential participants must “follow” Southwest Airlines on Twitter via the Official Southwest Airlines account (@SouthwestAir). c. To participate in the Contest, tweet an original photo of your pet in a Halloween costume via your Twitter account during the Contest Period. Entries must be tweeted to the Official Southwest Airlines Twitter account (@SouthwestAir) and using the hashtags #SouthwestPet and #Contest. Entries submitted will become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. By entering, and/or claiming any prize, Participant grants Sponsor an irrevocable, perpetual, royalty-free, freely transferable license to use the photos for all purposes, in any and all media, whether now known or hereafter devised, including as may be modified or edited by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Photos must be originals and not be copied.  Entries must be entirely original, and may not violate any third party rights nor use any third-party intellectual property such as copyrights, trademarks, logos, or background signs.  Participants acknowledge and agree that their entry does not violate any rights of privacy or publicity and that they have all releases and written consents necessary to permit the exhibition and use of the likeness(es) of all persons and pets appearing in a photo for all purposes as set forth in these Official Rules, without additional compensation.  Winners will be required to sign an official assignment of rights in their winning photo (“Assignment”) to Sponsor prior to being eligible to receive any prize.  Entries must not disparage; contain material that is inappropriate, indecent, offensive, illegal, or vulgar; or promote bigotry, racism, hatred or discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.  Any entry that is not compliant with these Official Rules will be deemed void at the sole discretion of the Sponsor.  Entries must be sent and received during the Contest Period in order to be eligible.  Unintelligible entries; entries with incomplete, invalid, incorrect, or noncurrent information; entries that are counterfeit, damaged, or tampered with in any way; and entries with printing, production, or typographical errors will be disqualified.  Disqualified entries and entries that are late, lost, damaged, misdirected, stolen, or not delivered are not the responsibility of the Sponsor.  Use of any device to automate entry is prohibited.  Proof of submission of an entry shall not be deemed proof of receipt by Sponsor.  Sponsor’s computer is the official time keeping device for the Contest.  Sponsor is not responsible for entries misdelivered, delayed, or not received due to difficulty accessing the Internet, service outage or delays, computer difficulties or other technological glitches.  By entering this Contest, you give your full and unconditional agreement to abide by these Official Rules and acknowledge that this Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by or associated with Twitter. 3.   Selection of Winners This is a contest of skill. Your chances of winning depend on how well your entry reflects the judging criteria, as compared to the other entries in the Contest. Judging will be based on the following qualities: *Creativity and Originality: 20% *Entertaining: 25% *Southwest Appeal (photo should reflect fun Culture and Fun-LUVing Attitude): 35% *Rules (must have read and complied with the Official Rules): 20%. a. Based on the above criteria, the top Contest submissions will be selected by a panel of judges provided by Sponsor on or about November 6, 2015. Participants need not be present to win. All potential winners are subject to eligibility verification by Sponsor, whose decisions are binding and final.  A PARTICIPANT IS NOT A WINNER OF ANY PRIZE, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF BEING A PRIZE, UNLESS AND UNTIL THE PARTICIPANT’S ELIGIBILITY HAS BEEN VERIFIED.  In the event of a tie, the submission with the highest score in the Southwest Appeal category will win. b. Sponsor will notify potential winners via Twitter. The potential winners will be asked to contact Sponsor with a given email address provided via Twitter. Once potential winners and Sponsor make email contact, Sponsor will provide a photo for the potential winners to tweet to the Official Southwest Airlines Twitter account (@SouthwestAir) the users uploaded the photo with in order to validate their Twitter account. Upon validation, potential winners must execute and return the Assignment and any required affidavit of eligibility and/or liability/publicity release (collectively, the “Required Documentation”) in which he or she agrees to hold Sponsor, Twitter, and each of their parent, subsidiary and affiliated corporations, and the officers, shareholders, directors, employees, agents and representatives harmless against any and all claims or liability arising directly or indirectly from use or misuse of a prize or participation in the Contest.  On or about November 6, 2015, the Required Documentation will be mailed or emailed, based on the potential winner’s preference upon account validation, and must be executed and returned within seven (7) days or prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner may be chosen. If a potential winner cannot be contacted using the information provided or fails to respond to Sponsor’s attempt to notify them of selection within five (5) business days; if any notification is returned as undeliverable or yields an error of undeliverable type “bounce back” email (regardless if the message is ultimately delivered to the recipient); if the potential winner is unable to validate his or her account, fails to sign and return the Required Documentation within the required time period or fails to comply with these Official Rules; if any prize is returned as undeliverable; if a potential winner is unable or unwilling to accept the prize as stated; or if the winner cannot be verified as eligible for any other reason, the potential winner is disqualified and an alternate winner may be chosen.  In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, the next received and eligible photo entry received by Sponsor that is fully compliant with these Official Rules shall be deemed the winner, until the prize is awarded or until four (4) attempts have been made to award the prize and each attempt has failed.  Sponsor will identify each potential winner and verify the potential winner’s eligibility after the end of the Contest Period.  If unable to verify eligibility, Sponsor will select any alternate potential winner within a reasonable time thereafter. 4.   Prize Three (3) Prizes will be awarded. The first (1 st ) place winner of the Contest will receive a $250 Southwest® Gift Card. The second (2 nd ) place winner of the contest will receive a $150 Southwest® Gift Card. The third (3 rd ) place winner of the contest will receive a $100 Southwest® Gift Card. (All prizes are subject to standard gift card terms and conditions.) Terms and conditions of the Southwest® gift card apply.   A Southwest® gift card is only redeemable at southwest.com, 1-800-I-FLY-SWA, or any Southwest Airlines ticket counter for passenger air travel. Domestic oversized and excess baggage, sales tax, security fees, passenger facilities charges, pet fare, and unaccompanied minor service charge may be paid for with a Southwest® gift card.  A Southwest® gift card is not valid for the purchase of Vacation Packages, Cargo, Hotel, Rental Car, Group Tickets, additional Southwest® gift cards, EarlyBird Check-In, Southwest Airlines Merchandise, international baggage fees, or inflight purchases. Only four (4) total forms of payment including Southwest® gift card, may be combined per purchase. A Southwest® gift card is nonrefundable and not redeemable for cash or credit except where required by federal or applicable state law. A Southwest® gift card is not replaceable if lost, stolen, or destroyed.  A Southwest® gift card never expires and has no fees. Activation or use of a Southwest® gift card constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions listed at southwest.com. For full terms and conditionals visit http://www.southwest.com/html/air/products/gift-card-terms-and-conditions.html. All federal, state and local taxes, security and airport fees, and all other expenses not specifically mentioned herein are the sole responsibility of the winner.   No prize substitutions, cash equivalent, or transfer of prizes permitted except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor. Prize subject to availability and the Sponsor, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to award a prize of greater or equal value if the advertised prize is unavailable. In the event that a prize is mailed to a winner, it will be with the prior written consent of the winner and therefore, winner assumes the risk of its loss.  Sponsor is not responsible for the safe arrival of a prize.  Sponsor is not responsible if a potential winner does not receive his or her prize because erroneous, expired, canceled, fraudulent, or fake information was provided during the Contest.  Only the prize(s) set forth in these Official Rules will be awarded.  If, through printing or production error, or for any other reason whatsoever, more prizes are claimed than intended and/or set forth in these Official Rules, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes from all legitimate, unawarded, eligible prize claims. 5. Conditions a. Payments of all federal, state and local taxes are solely the responsibility of the winner.  Winner will be required to sign an IRS Form W-9 with the winner’s full social security number or the equivalent.  Failure to submit a Form W-9 upon request will result in forfeiture of the prize.  Winnings over $600 will be reported to the IRS. b. By participating in the Contest, the winner agrees to have his or her name, voice, likeness, photograph, statements, opinions, biographical information, and/or Contest entry used in any advertising or broadcasting material relating to the Contest or otherwise, in any media, worldwide, now known or hereinafter developed, in perpetuity,  without additional notice, payment, or other compensation unless prohibited by law, and, where legal, to sign an Assignment and publicity release confirming such consent prior to acceptance of the prize. c. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, stolen, mangled, misdelivered, postage due, illegible, incomplete or late entries, telephone service outages, delays, busy signals, equipment malfunctions and any other technological difficulties that may prevent an individual from entering or claiming a prize. d. Sponsor, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process, the operation of Sponsor’s website, or otherwise in violation of the Official Rules.  Sponsor further reserves the right to cancel, terminate or modify the Contest if it is not capable of completion as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention or technical failures of any sort.  In such event, Sponsor reserves the right, but not the obligation, to award any applicable prize(s) from the entries submitted before the cancellation, suspension, or modification of the Contest.  Any attempt to undermine the operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. e. Sponsor reserves the right to make changes in the Official Rules, including the substitution of a prize of greater or equivalent value, which will become effective upon announcement. f. Failure to comply with the Official Rules may result in a Participant’s disqualification solely at the discretion of the Sponsor. g. The Sponsor is not responsible for typographical or other errors in the printing, the offering or the administration of the Contest, or in the announcement of a prize. h. In any case, the final winners of all prizes will be determined, and prizes will be awarded, within a reasonable time after the end of the Contest Period, except as agreed between Sponsor and winner. i. Copies of the Official Rules and a winners list (when complete) may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Southwest Airlines Co., Social Business, P.O. Box 36611, HDQ 1PR, Dallas, TX 75235-1611.  All requests must be received by December 31, 2015. 6. Limitations on Liability NEITHER SPONSOR NOR ITS AFFILIATED ENTITIES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PRINTING OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS IN ANY CONTEST-RELATED MATERIALS OR TRANSACTIONS THAT ARE PROCESSED LATE OR INCORRECTLY OR ARE LOST DUE TO COMPUTER OR ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION. WINNER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL TAXES ON PRIZE AND FOR ANY OTHER EXPENSES NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IN PRIZE DESCRIPTION.  SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL OR MODIFY CONTEST IF FRAUD OR TECHNICAL FAILURE COMPROMISES THE INTEGRITY OF THE CONTEST AS DETERMINED BY SPONSOR IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION. THIS CONTEST OFFER IS BEING MADE EXCLUSIVELY BY THE SPONSOR.  SPONSOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TECHNICAL, HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, OR TELEPHONE FAILURES OF ANY KIND; LOST OR UNAVAILABLE NETWORK CONNECTIONS OR FRAUD; INCOMPLETE, GARBLED, OR DELAYED COMPUTER TRANSMISSION WHETHER CAUSED BY SPONSOR, USER, OR BY ANY OF THE EQUIPMENT OR PROGRAMMING ASSOCIATED WITH OR UTILIZED IN THE CONTEST OR BY ANY TECHNICAL OR HUMAN ERROR WHICH MAY OCCUR IN THE PROCESS OF SUBMISSIONS WHICH MAY LIMIT A PARTICIPANT’S ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CONTEST. PARTICIPANTS ASSUME ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURY OR DAMAGE CAUSED, OR CLAIMED TO BE CAUSED BY PARTICIPATION IN THIS CONTEST, REDEMPTION OF ANY PRIZE, AND USE OR MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE. BY ENTERING, PARTICIPANT AGREES TO HOLD HARMLESS, DISCHARGE, AND INDEMNIFY EACH OF SPONSOR AND ITS RESPECTIVE PARENTS, SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES, AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS (SPOUSE OR DOMESTIC PARTNER, PARENTS, SIBLINGS, CHILDREN, AND ALL OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SPOUSES OR DOMESTIC PARTNERS) AND HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS OF EACH SUCH INDIVIDUAL, AND ANY OTHER COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CONTEST (COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASED PARTIES”) AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, DAMAGES, OR CAUSES OF ACTION (HOWEVER NAMED OR DESCRIBED), WITH RESPECT TO OR ARISING OUT OF (I) PARTICIPANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST, (II) THE RECEIPT OF THE PRIZES, AND/OR (III) USE OR MISUSE OF THE PRIZES AWARDED HEREIN.  POSSIBLE CLAIMS OR CAUSES OF ACTION INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, INFRINGEMENT OF ANY RIGHT OF PUBLICITY OR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; THREATENED OR ACTUAL INJURY, LOSS, OR DAMAGE TO ANY PERSON, INCLUDING DEATH AND DISABILITY; DEFAMATION OR PORTRAYAL IN A FALSE LIGHT (INTENTIONAL AND UNINTENTIONAL); AND DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF PROPERTY, ARISING OUT OF SUCH PARTICIPANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST OR RECEIPT OR USE OR MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE.  IN NO EVENT WILL RELEASED PARTIES BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS CONTEST. If for any reason a Participant’s entry is confirmed to have been voided or corrupted by any grossly negligent act of the Sponsor, Participant’s sole remedy is another entry into the Contest, subject to availability and provided that this Contest has not then expired. 7. Construction and Disputes Participants waive any right to claim ambiguity in these Official Rules. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of any Participant and Sponsor in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Texas, or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas.  Any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Contest, but in no event attorneys’ fees. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.  In the event that any such provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, these Official Rules shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained therein.  Sponsor reserves the right to correct clerical or typographical errors in Contest materials or these Official Rules.  Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION FOR ANY DISPUTE SHALL BE IN THE FEDERAL OR STATE COURTS LOCATED IN DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS. 8.  Privacy By entering this Contest, each Participant agrees to Sponsor’s manner of collection, use, retention, and disclosure of Participant’s personal information submitted in connection with the Contest, including without limitation, all names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, and birth dates obtained from or provided by Participants.  Information collected from Participants is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy and any state or federal law.  Sponsor’s privacy policy can be found at www.southwest.com/html/about-southwest/terms-and-conditions/privacy-policy-pol.html. 9. Sponsor Southwest Airlines Co., P.O. Box 36611, Dallas, TX 75235-1611 ... View more

On a warm, California day, unsuspecting Customers boarded the Aloft Hotels Presents Live in the Vineyard-decaled Southwest plane. To them, it was business as usual. But here at Southwest, we like to be different. Without warning, national recording group Green River Ordinance (GRO) tuned their guitars and began strumming and singing for the Customers. The flight from Burbank to Oakland, though a short one, proved enough time for GRO to play a two-song set to a sold out crowd at 35,000 feet in the air. On the ground in Oakland, GRO kept the party rockin’ by playing “Healing Touch,” an unreleased tune on their new record (check our Nuts About Southwest blog next week for the video performance). Without question, such a performance garnered intrigued looks and camera flashes from those passing through the airport.  The intimate performance is sure to strike a chord with GRO fans and music enthusiasts alike. Luckily for you, we captured each moment on film. Keep your ears peeled; your next flight just might be a ‘Surprise and Delight!’ ... View more

What do you get when you pair a popular recording group, a plane full of Southwest Customers, and an altitude of 35,000 feet? A Live in the Vineyard (LITV) inspired ‘Surprise and Delight’ flight! That’s right, Southwest teamed up with Aloft Hotel Presents Live in the Vineyard and recording artists SafetySuit to provide our Customers with some inflight entertainment, and I was there to witness it all. The band, which played to a sold out aircraft, performed two songs from Denver to Kansas City. During the performance, Passengers whipped out mobile phones and tablets to record the band’s short set. Doug, lead vocalist for SafetySuit, encouraged the Passengers to tweet pictures and video from the performance…and that’s what they did! As Customers left the aircraft, many congratulated the band (and also offered up their thanks). Our Flight Attendants even jumped in on the action by posing for a photo with the band in Kansas City. SafetySuit not only performed inflight, but also gave an intimate performance at the Southwest Porch at Skyline Park in Denver the previous day. Southwest Employees, friends of LITV, and eager fans came out to the porch to enjoy Napa Valley wine provided by Beringer, appetizers, good company, and of course, SafetySuit. After the performance, the band mingled with the crowd and took pictures with adoring fans. If this party is a precursor to LITV in Napa, then the actual event will be the ultimate experience in indulgence. Be sure to check out the videos of SafetySuit jammin’ in the friendly skies.   ... View more