Southwest Airlines and SeaWorld part ways, Shamu airplanes to be repainted

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) and SeaWorld have issued this joint statement:

“Southwest and SeaWorld have mutually decided not to renew their partnership when the contract expires at the end of the year. Our promotional marketing relationship began in 1988 and was one of the first of its kind – focused on co-marketing opportunities between Southwest passengers and SeaWorld visitors.

The companies decided not to renew the contract based on shifting priorities. Southwest is spreading its wings with new international service, and increased focus on local market efforts. With an increasing international visitor base, SeaWorld is looking to focus on new and growing markets in Latin America and Asia, among others.

The companies will continue to work together through Southwest Vacations. Southwest’s three specialty airplanes will return to the company’s traditional livery.

Southwest and SeaWorld have enjoyed their long relationship, and wish each other continued success.”

Southwest and SeaWorld have both been coming under a lot of public pressure on change.org in the form of a public petition calling for Southwest to separate itself from SeaWorld in the wake of the documentary Blackfish movie which criticized SeaWorld’s on-going procedures concerning the capture, training and containment of its orca whales. The death of a SeaWorld female trainer by an orca in captivity also spurred the release of the movie.

Read the petition: CLICK HERE

SeaWorld responded to the movie Blackfish with this statement: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. The three remaining Shamu specially painted Boeing 737s will be repainted. Boeing 737-7H4 N713SW (msn 27847) arrives in Los Angeles.

Southwest Airlines: