Southwest Airlines News

Southwest Airlines founder Kelleher dies aged 87
Herb Kelleher, co-founder of Southwest Airlines, has died aged 87, the company has revealed in a brief statement. Launched in 1967, the low-cost US carrier went on to reshape global aviation.

Southwest Airlines selects Amadeus Sky Suite by Optym
At the core of every airline is its flight schedule – how it manages thousands of flights carrying millions of passengers to cities around the world.

Passenger killed following Southwest Airlines engine failure
A female passenger has been killed after an engine on a US passenger jet exploded mid-flight. Seven others needed medical treatment following the incident on board Southwest Airlines Flight 1380.

Power restored at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
Power has been resorted at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta after an electrical fault caused a partial shut-down on Sunday evening. Tens of thousands of passengers were delayed following the incident at the busiest airport in the world.

AirIT conference to welcome Montgomery as keynote speaker
AirIT has announced that Bob Montgomery, vice president of airport affairs for Southwest Airlines, will be the keynote speaker at its 18th Annual User Conference & Symposium. The event will be held in Las Vegas, April 25th-27th, 2016. Montgomery has been with Southwest since 1977, and has held a number of positions in the Operating and Finance Departments prior to filling the properties and facilities and airport affairs role.

Southwest Airlines reaches tentative agreement with TWU 555
Southwest Airlines has announced a new tentative agreement with Transport Workers Union Local 555. The union represents more than 12,000 Southwest ground operations, provisioning, and cargo agents. The Union’s Executive Board reviewed an Agreement in Principle that negotiators reached December 23rd and decided to conduct a ratification vote that could end more than four years of negotiations.

Avis Budget Group inks deal with Southwest Airlines
Avis Budget Group has entered into an expanded, new multi-year partnership marketing agreement with Southwest Airlines which will enable the Company to promote Avis Car Rental, Budget Car Rental and Payless Car Rental offers, products and services to Southwest customers.

Southwest Airlines launches international routes with Amadeus
The first-ever scheduled international flights flown by Southwest Airlines took off earlier heading to the Caribbean, also marking the successful full implementation of Amadeus’ Altéa Suite, the next generation passenger services system for airlines. “We have realised our vision of flying internationally, and this success is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of the combined Southwest and Amadeus teams,” said Randy Sloan, Southwest Airlines senior vice president and chief information officer.

Amadeus signs major deal with Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines and Amadeus IT Group have announced they have entered into a joint contract for Amadeus’ Altéa reservations solution that will support the carrier’s domestic service. Amadeus’ Altéa reservations solution currently supports the company’s international service, and Southwest has long indicated a desire to operate just one reservation system, operating multiple systems following the acquisition of AirTran and the launch of international service on Southwest.

Southwest Airlines launches new era of fuel savings
Southwest Airlines today operates its first revenue flight utilising a Boeing 737-800 equipped with Aviation Partner’s Boeing Split Scimitar Winglets. The newly designed winglet differs than those currently installed on the carrier’s fleet of Boeing 737s, with aerodynamic scimitar tips and a large ventral strake on the bottom of the blended winglet structure.

Southwest Airlines announces first international destinations
Southwest Airlines has revealed a trio of Caribbean beach destinations as the largest carrier of domestic passengers in the US prepares to begin selling international flights. “Beginning July 1st, Bags Fly Free beyond US borders to Aruba, The Bahamas, and Jamaica,” announced Southwest president Gary Kelly.

Record third quarter earnings for Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines has reported its third quarter 2013 results, revealing record net income. Excluding special items, the carrier made $241 million during the period, or $.34 per diluted share, compared to third quarter 2012 net income, excluding special items, of $97 million, or $.13 per diluted share.