Southwest Airlines is pleased to announce that its Pilots represented by the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA), voted to ratify the tentative, five-year contract both parties reached last month. The new contract is active through Aug. 31, 2011. The current Southwest Pilot contract became amendable on Aug. 31, 2006. SWAPA and Southwest Airlines began contract negotiations in September 2006.

“I applaud the negotiation teams and the members of SWAPA for voting for this new agreement,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO. “It goes without saying that this new contract was negotiated in good faith during a consistently challenging economic period for the airline industry. Our Pilots are the hardest working and most productive in the business and deserve a contract that reflects this, yet is still in keeping with the current uncertain economic outlook.”

This new contract rewards SWAPA membership for the Company’s past two years of profitability, while making a critical move to tie the next two years’ compensation to the Company’s financial performance. SWAPA is made up of more than 5,900 Pilots.

After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation’s leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines—offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. At Southwest Airlines, bags fly free. Customers can check their first two bags at no extra charge (size and weight limits apply). Southwest offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation’s largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 68 cities in 35 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,100 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.