Southwest Airlines® Launches Summer Service Additions At Baltimore/Washington International Airport

DALLAS, March 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today increased its bookable schedule by six daily nonstop trips from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) every day beginning June 5th and ending Aug. 6th. All additional flights are on sale immediately at Southwest.com. Customers can expect additional service announcements throughout 2016.

"This is about enhancing our breadth of service and adding convenience for our Baltimore-Washington-area Customers as we seek to grow in the entire region," said Andrew Watterson, Senior Vice President Network & Revenue. "Collectively, Southwest offers more service from BWI, Reagan National, and Dulles Airports than any other airline. Our goal—as always—is to respond to what our Customers want. It's clear Customers in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia are asking for even more low-fare service with incredible Hospitality and the 'no surprises' approach to fees they've come to expect during our nearly 23 years of service at BWI. The great news is we're just getting started."

Effective June 5th through Aug. 6th, 2016, Southwest will offer additional seats in the following existing nonstop markets from BWI:

Sunday-Friday trips to increase by one flight daily:

• Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Oakland     1 to 2 trips
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Denver International Airport      5 to 6 trips
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Manchester–Boston Regional Airport    8 to 9 trips
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Hartford's Bradley International Airport    7 to 8 trips
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Tampa International Airport     6 to 7 trips
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Orlando International Airport    9 to 10 trips        

Saturday trips to increase by one flight daily:

• Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Hartford's Bradley International Airport     6 to 7 trips
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport     2 to 3 trips
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Orlando International Airport    12 to 13 trips
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Nashville International Airport   5 to 6 trips
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport to Tampa International Airport       6 to 7 trips

Southwest launched international service from BWI in July 2014. International flights initially included Aruba, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Nassau, The Bahamas, Cancun, Mex. and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. During 2015, Southwest inaugurated additional service from BWI to San Jose and Liberia, Costa Rica and Cabo San Lucas, Mex.

Southwest Airlines has served BWI, the Company's third busiest airport in terms of daily departures, for more than 22 years and currently operates 29 gates. A year's long partnership with the Maryland Aviation Authority has led to the support of multiple facility improvements, including a new checkpoint and connection between concourses A, B, and C; an expanded ticketing lobby to include a dedicated international ticket counter; and a number of improvements to an international concourse, concourse E, which is currently under construction.

The carrier continues to plan for 2016 year-over-year system wide available seat mile growth in the five to six percent range and continues to be fully committed to fulfilling Customers' needs whether traveling for Business or Leisure purposes.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to the Company's anticipated service offerings and network and capacity plans, opportunities, and expectations. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) changes in demand for the Company's services and other changes in consumer behavior; (ii) the impact of economic conditions, fuel prices, actions of competitors (including without limitation pricing, scheduling, and capacity decisions and consolidation and alliance activities), and other factors beyond the Company's control, on the Company's business decisions, plans, and strategies; (iii) the impact of governmental regulations and other governmental actions related to the Company's operations; (iv) the Company's ability to timely and effectively maintain the necessary information technology systems and infrastructure to support its operations and initiatives; and (v) other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2015.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

In its 45th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 49,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest proudly operates a network of 97 destinations across the United States and seven additional countries with more than 3,900 departures a day during peak travel season.

Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate connectivity.  That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as more than 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest created Transfarency℠, a philosophy which treats Customers honestly and fairly, and in which low fares actually stay low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free®  to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some airlines may allow free checked bags on select routes or for qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply. In 2014, the airline proudly unveiled a bold new look:  Heart.  The new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what's important in their lives.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new markets.  With 43 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2014 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at SouthwestOneReport.com.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.