Southwest Airlines (Dallas) has issued this statement concerning the City of Dallas and Delta Air Lines (Atlanta):
Southwest supports the City’s efforts to manage Love Field in accordance with its obligations under airline leases and the Wright Amendment Reform Act. Southwest disagrees with guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding the use of Love Field gates by non-tenant airlines like Delta. That guidance not only violates Southwest’s legal and contractual rights but would also reduce competition, costing consumers millions of dollars in higher airfares.
Delta’s temporary license to use gate space at Dallas Love Field expires at midnight on July 6, 2015. Beginning August 9, Southwest will fully utilize its 18 Love Field gates by operating 180 flights a day to 50 nonstop destinations resulting in an industry-leading gate utilization of ten flights a day per gate. Southwest will therefore be unable to accommodate any other airline, including Delta, on its gates after that date. Tickets on these Southwest flights have been for sale to our Customers since February or earlier.
The lawsuit filed by the City of Dallas allows the City and Southwest to ask the court to properly interpret applicable law as well as the contractual agreements entered into by the City and Southwest relating to Love Field, which clearly give Southwest the right to expand upon and maximize the usage of its leased gates in the best interest of the citizens of Dallas. Every other air carrier serving North Texas, including Delta, can grow without restriction at DFW Intl. Airport, which Delta currently serves. Southwest is restricted from growing beyond its 18 Love Field gates, which is a small fraction of the total 185 gates in the Dallas Ft. Worth market.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-76N N7705A (msn 32744) prepares to land in Las Vegas.
Southwest Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):ย
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) today is celebrating the end of the flight distance restrictions under the expiring Wright Amendment at its Dallas Love Field base. The airline issued this statement about additional routes from DAL:
Southwest Airlines is giving away 1,000 free flights to celebrate its new-found freedom from its home airport, Dallas Love Field.
The carrier is celebrating the repeal of the law known as the “Wright Amendment” which was imposed in 1979, limiting the reach of Dallas’ convenient airport. Starting today, the airline begins offering new nonstop flights from Love Field to the first of 17 destinations.
Denver
Chicago (Midway)
Baltimore/Washington
Washington, D.C. (Reagan National)
Las Vegas
Los Angeles (LAX)
Orlando
Beginning November 2, 2014, Southwest Airlines will continue its rollout of new nonstop flights from Love Field to:
Phoenix
Orange County/Santa Ana
San Diego
Tampa
Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood
New York City (LaGuardia)
Atlanta
Nashville
Beginning January 6, 2015:
San Francisco (SFO)
Oakland (OAK)
“After 34 long years, Southwest now has the right to spread our low fares, our friendly policies, our Fun-LUVing Attitudes, and Legendary Customer Service,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer during a spirited news conference in front of airline Employees and community Leaders. “Most importantly, we have the right to spread our LOVE across the United States anywhere we want to fly nonstop from our home airport, and our hometown, Dallas, Texas, On this day, October 13, 2014, Southwest Airlines celebrates that Dallas Love Field has officially been Set Free!”
Above: New Route Map from Dallas Love Field.
Customers on each of the first departures from Love Field to one of the seven new nonstop destinations received special gifts including shirts, Southwest Vacations packages, and more, as a way to celebrate the new flights and thank Customers for their support. In keeping with the week of NONSTOP Love, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewardsยฎ Credit Card is celebrating by surprising Customers on flights throughout the week with various gifts and giveaways. Dallas-based Batter Up Cake Shop also surprised Customers and Employees with a cake dedicated to the new nonstop destinations the carrier is now offering from Love Field.
2014 is a milestone year for the 43-year-old airline. The carrier launched international flights to the Caribbean and Mexico, remains on track to complete the AirTran acquisition by the end of the year, revealed a new look, and now is breaking through the wall of the Wright Amendment flight restrictions imposed in 1979 (international nonstop restrictions still apply).
Top Copyright Photo: Eddie Maloney/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-7H4 N708SW (msn 27842) in the new heart livery arrives in Las Vegas.
Virgin America (San Francisco) today (October 13) celebrates the launch of its new nonstop flights from Dallas Love Field (DAL) with a special inaugural flight, the unveiling of its new Dallas home and some Texas-sized deals for travelers. As of today, Virgin America launches three daily nonstop flights from DAL to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and starting on October 28, four daily nonstop flights from DAL to New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA). With a loyal following of business travelers, the airline recently announced plans to add a fourth daily trip from DAL to DCA, SFO and LAX as of April 2015.
According to the airline, “The airline will be the only carrier at Love Field to offer three classes of service in these markets โ including a First Class cabin and a Main Cabin Select premium economy service โ as well as fleetwide WiFi, power outlets at every seat, a full-service food menu, confirmed seating and personal seatback entertainment for every guest. The airline today unveils its unique Love Field gate space and a First Class VIP check-in lounge that mirrors the sleek look and feel of the carrier’s aircraft cabins and is the only dedicated VIP check-in area of its kind at Love Field.”
Virgin America today opens its doors on a stylish new home at Love Field that reflects the airline’s signature design. The airline’s First Class VIP check-in lounge (above) is located adjacent to its new Love Field ticket counters, and will give First Class guests and Elevate Gold members an upgraded experience from the moment they arrive at the airport’s convenient downtown location โ complete with a dedicated Virgin America VIP concierge to assist with their travel needs. The space extends the airline’s cabin experience into the airport with design elements that include modern furniture pieces selected in collaboration with the Dallas-based design group Corgan โ including Cassina Tre Pezzi lounge chairs, an Eames chair and ottoman and Foscaraini “Twiggy” floor lighting. The Love Lounge is also enclosed by a LED-lit divider wall by Molo Design. The airline’s ticket counter will offer user-friendly and modern white kiosk check-in tables with touch-screen panels and a concierge desk look-and-feel. Virgin America’s new gates also received the “Virgin” treatment, highlighting the brand’s British roots with a classic red London phone booth and art photography capturing moments in Virgin brand history through the decades โ from Virgin Records to Virgin Galactic.
Virgin America is marking its last flight from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and first flight into its new home at Dallas Love Field today with the “ultimate Uber ride,” a “Downtown Express” flight available to Uber customers as the ultimate on-demand pick-up for those who want to beat the cross-town traffic and check out the Virgin America experience on the way to the airport most convenient to downtown Dallas. The flight will be hosted by Virgin Group Founder, Sir Richard Branson, and include a live acoustic performance by Grammy Award-winning country music star, Kacey Musgraves. Upon arrival at the airline’s new home at DAL, flight guests, including Dallas city leaders, will be greeted with a champagne toast and the airline will be giving away Uber rides* to 300 lucky travelers at Dallas’ Love Field. The festivities at the airport will be followed by a star-studded red carpet evening fete at House of Blues Dallas. A “moodlit” Uber vehicle that recreates the airline’s moodlighting hits the streets of Dallas today โ and locals who catch a ride in the Virgin America-branded wheels will score an invitation to the airline’s evening bash.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 N361VA (msn 5515) with Sharklets arrives at Los Angeles.
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) today officially unveiled this new livery, theme and logo in a special ceremony this morning in Dallas despite some images being leaked, probably from where it was painted in Victorville, CA. The first aircraft to be repainted is the pictured Boeing 737-8H4 N8642E (msn 42525) (above) delivered new on August 6, 2014.
The company issued this statement this morning:
Southwest Airlines introduced a modern new look to its iconic brand today (September 8) at an event dedicated to its Employees. The airline proudly unveiled a new aircraft livery, named Heart One, airport experience, and logo. The new look puts the airlineโs Heart on display, showcasing the strength of the nearly 46,000 Employees Companywideโwhose dedication can be felt by every Customer each time Southwest Airlines connects them to whatโs important in their life.
โOur collective heartbeat is stronger and healthier than ever, and thatโs because of the warmth, the compassion, and the smiles of our People,โ said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. โThe Heart emblazoned on our aircraft, and within our new look, symbolizes our commitment that weโll remain true to our core values as we set our sights on the future.โ
Itโs a big year for Southwest, as the airline introduces its legendary brand to international destinations; the repeal of the Wright Amendment is within sight; and the integration of AirTran Airways operations is on track to be completed later this year. Southwest continues to evolve, serving more than 90 destinations, and expanding its footprint in big markets like New York City and Washington, D.C.
โWith all these exciting changes happening, we thought it was time for a new visual expression of our brandโone that marries our past to our present and sets the course for where weโre headed in the future,โ Kelly said.
NEW LOOK, SAME GREAT EXPERIENCE
The announcement of Southwest Airlinesโ modern new look introduces a striking new livery design, new iconic Southwest logo (above), newly designed inflight materials and magazine, an advertising campaign that celebrates the airlineโs unique personality, and a revamped experience both online and at its airport locations, all of which showcase the unique spirit and Heart of the brand, and communicate its focus on Customer care. In addition, the airline will introduce a refresh to its signature โDING!โ mnemonic.
To bring this all to life, Southwest collaborated with advertising and branding partners GSD&M, Lippincott, VML, Razorfish and Camelot Communicationsโeach an expert in their own field. The task was given to distill more than 40 years of rich history into one modern, impactful look, representing the exciting future of a one-of-a-kind airline.
โThe job wasnโt to change who we are,โ said Kevin Krone, Southwestโs Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. โWe already know who we are. The job was to keep the elements of Southwest that our Employees and Customers love, and to make them a bold, modern expression of our future.โ
โWith so much of Southwestโs focus firmยฌly set on the future, it was a natural time to look at our visual identity,โ said Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.
โAs we developed the identity, it wasnโt just about the new livery or the logo, but about developing the total, integrated brand expression of Southwest,โ said Rodney Abbot, Senior Design Partner at Lippincott.
โThe Heart is our identity the same way the Heart of our Southwest Employees enhances the Customer experience, said Krone. โIt’s the finishing touch that makes the Southwest brand unique, demonstrating that Southwest cares about each and every Customer. Even on the belly of the plane, the Heart is a symbolic reminder that we put our Hearts into every flight.โ
โFor more than three decades, GSD&M has partnered with Southwest Airlines, so we certainly understand and believe in the power of Southwestโs Heart,โ said Marianne Malina, President of GSD&M. โWe were thrilled with the opportunity to partner with an extraordinary and talented team to bring Southwestโs love of People front and center. This work is a celebration of the great brand that Southwest has become and, most importantly, where itโs headed next.โ
Southwest Airlines and its partners did comprehensive research and held numerous focus groups with Employees and Customers to determine how best to create the new look. The airline heard that it was important to remain unique and to retain its personality; for these reasons, Southwest continues to use the vibrant color palate and striped tail that has long identified the carrier, while adding a modern touch, proudly displaying the Southwest name on the side of the fuselage and presenting the Heart on the aircraft belly. Southwest has had several different liveries and logos throughout its 43-year history; remaining current and relevant is critical to the sustainability and future growth of the brand.
As a legendary low-fare carrier, Southwest doesn’t make a change this bold without first assessing cost impact. The approach and focus with this launch has been with the intent to remain cost-neutral by using a phased rollout. Aircraft will receive the newly painted livery within the aircraftโs existing repainting schedule, with new aircraft delivered in the new Heart livery. In addition, many of the future airport conversions will be integrated into existing and upcoming airport improvement projects. Because Southwest is taking this cost-conscious approach to the conversion of planes and airports, it might be some time before Customers and Employees see the new design in person.
Copyright Photo: Southwest Airlines. The company again has bold new fuselage titles for good visibility.
Here is the message from Chairman, President and CEO Gary Kelly:
Forty-three years ago, Southwest launched a low-fare revolution that is still alive and well today. Ignited by a Maverick Spirit and a passion for serving others, we set out to do things differently than the other guys. Today, the world is a much different place than it was back in 1971. Our industry landscape is hardly recognizable, and our Customersโ travel habits have evolved. Southwest has evolved too โ but we have never stopped smiling.
Weโve been hard at work over the past decade transforming Southwest to be just as relevant and successful for the next four decades. We enhanced our cabin interiors, installing WiFi and offering free live TV onboard (thanks to DISHยฎ!). With the Boeing 737-800 series aircraft, weโre bringing on larger airplanes that are better suited for longer flights. We expanded in big markets like New York City and Washington, D.C. and revamped our Rapid Rewardsยฎ Frequent Flyer program. We acquired AirTran Airways, and weโre in the final stages of integrating our two airlines to become one by the end of this year. The AirTran integration set the stage for Southwest to launch international service for the first time in our history, which we did in July. And next month, a federal law (the Wright Amendment) restricting where we can fly domestically from our home airport of Dallas Love Field will be lifted โ giving us the freedom to serve more nonstop markets from our hometown.
With all these exciting changes happening, we thought it was time for a new visual expression of our brand โ one that marries our past to our present and sets the course for where weโre headed in the future. So this month, weโre introducing a modern, new look. Youโll see it throughout your experience with us. Our new logo showcases a Heart โ fitting for a Company whose very core has always been fueled by the heartbeat of its People. Our collective heartbeat is stronger and healthier than ever, and thatโs because of the warmth, the compassion, and the smiles of our People. This Heart symbolizes our commitment to you that weโll remain true to our core as we set our sights on the future.
What started as a revolution has undergone an evolution. But we havenโt changed what we stand for: low fares, a convenient flight schedule, and the friendliest Employees in the world. Our Purpose is to connect you, our valued Customer, to the moments that are most important in your life, through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel. That was true in 1971, and itโs just as true today. So, while our look may be new, our DNA is the same โ with the big Heart and big smile you have come to LUV. Thanks for coming along for the ride!
All images by Southwest Airlines.
Read the analysis by Bloomberg Businessweek: CLICK HERE
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) is also planning to make an announcement tomorrow (September 6). It is believed the company is planning to introduce a new livery too.
A Boeing 737-800 is expected to be rolled out tomorrow at Dallas’ Love Field showing a new blue, yellow and red color scheme.
Like Frontier, Southwest issued this short teaser comment:
Weโve been working on something special. And Monday, weโll get to the heart of the matter.
DFWTower.com has published photos of a Southwest 737-800 in a hangar with the new design. It does not appear to be a special livery. The main changes, an apparent deeper shade of blue and white fuselage titles: CLICK HERE
This will be third basic livery for Southwest:
Top Image: Southwest Airlines. Southwest recently had a “Plane Palooza” voting contest for its special liveries on Facebook. The finalists were Florida One and Lone Star One. Naturally for the Texas-based airline, Lone Star One won.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Reflecting an American Southwest look, Southwest started operations with this orange, red and mustard color scheme. When Southwest launched intrastate operations in Texas on June 18, 1971 this was the color scheme on its three Boeing 737-200s. Boeing 737-2H4 N21SW (msn 20345) (+ the other two) are seen at the Love Field base. The full titles ran up the rear fuselage and the tail. Later the titles were shortened to just “Southwest” and were placed alone on the tail.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. The current “Canyon Blue” fuselage top livery was introduced in 2001. Boeing 737-3H4 N608SW (msn 27928) departs from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Southwest Airlines Aircraft Slide Show:ย
In other news, Southwest is recycling its old leather seats. According to CNN, “Southwest Airlines after a large-scale redesign of many of its 737 aircraft, the carrier found itself with an excess of 80,000 leather seat covers — enough to fill the Empire State Building.
Southwest dubbed the initiative “Luv Seat: Repurpose with Purpose,” and reached out to potential partners to take the used leather, but found that there were few takers.
Following the advice of Bill Tiffany, a Southwest VP who grew up in Kenya, the airline started looking towards Africa for recipients of the used leather. Rather than just donating the goods and leaving it there, the airline decided to take a more holistic approach, giving the materials to NGOs that will use them to provide job training and health education.
The main partner is SOS Children’s Villages Kenya, which is providing paid apprenticeships and training to orphaned youth, who in turn make shoes and soccer balls from the leather. The shoes are given to Maasai Treads, who distributes them as part of a campaign to fight debilitating foot parasites. The soccer balls are donated to Alive & Kicking, a charity that uses sport to educate young people on HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention.”
Great idea Southwest. Read the full article: CLICK HERE
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) has announced two additional destinations from Dallas (Love Field). Flights between Dallas and both San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport begin on January 6, 2015.
The carrier previously announced its post Wright Amendment offerings from Dallas (Love Field) which, along with the additions of Oakland and San Francisco, gives Dallas Customers access to a total of 33 destinations via nonstop service on Southwest Airlines by January 6, 2015.
Beginning October 13, 2014, Southwest will add nonstop service from Dallas (Love Field) to Baltimore/Washington, Chicago (Midway), Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, and Ronald Reagan Washington National.
On November 2, 2014, Southwest will add additional nonstop city offerings from Dallas (Love Field) to Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood, Nashville, New York (LaGuardia), Phoenix, San Diego, Orange County/Santa Ana, and Tampa.
Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8H4 N8301J (msn 36980) “Warrior One” lands in Las Vegas.
Virgin America (San Francisco) today announced it is launching sales on its new business-friendly flights from Dallas’ Love Field (DAL) to New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The new flights take off in October 2014.
To announce the news today, the airline made a surprise landing with one of its custom-designed Airbus A320 aircraft at Love Field โ where it is hosting an “open plane” event for media, Elevateยฎ loyalty members, partners and social media fans.
According to the carrier, “Virgin America’s flights from DAL will bring needed fare and product competition to the market. At present, one carrier controls 80 percent of the Love Field gates (16 of 20) and more than 90 percent of the traffic. An August 2013 study conducted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers found that of airports in its size class, DAL had the largest increase in average fares from 2007-2012 โ a 37% jump.
The addition of Love Field will significantly expand Virgin America’s presence in Texas. SFO, LAX and DCA to DAL flight service starts on October 13, 2014, and LGA to DAL flight service starts on October 28, 2014. The carrier’s initial Love Field nonstop flight schedule is as below:
In 2015, Virgin America plans to add an additional daily flight from DAL to SFO, LAX and DCA, bringing each route to four daily nonstop flights. In addition, the airline plans to add two new daily nonstop flights from DAL to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in 2015. Virgin America will move its current operations from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to DAL in October 2014.
The new routes will also expand Virgin America’s footprint in Washington D.C. and New York. In the last six months, the airline invested in assets being sold as part of the American Airlines merger settlement, including airport slots at LGA and DCA โ both airports where access historically has been constrained and where consumers have had less fare and product competition as a result. Virgin America will be only the second low-cost airline to serve all three major New York-area airports.
What was left unstated, Virgin America is dropping service to Philadelphia (an US Airways, soon American Airlines fortress hub) after October 6 to free up the aircraft for the new DAL routes. US/AA will have less competition at PHL, not what the DOJ had in mind.
Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 N361VA (msn 5515) with Sharklets approaches the runway at Las Vegas.
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) has added a nice pictorial article on their blog that takes the reader on a virtual tour of their headquarters at Love Field in Dallas.
It is always nice to see an airline remembering and embracing its history and culture. Well done WN.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. It all started with these three Boeing 737-200s on June 18, 1971. 737-2H4 N21SW (msn 20345) and the two others are parked at the Southwest hangar at Love Field during a rare down time. In the beginning, the titles were on the rear fuselage and the tail.
Southwest Airlines (Dallas) is positioned to convert some of its Boeing 737-700s on order for larger 737-800s. The decision to bring the Boeing 737-800 into the WN fleet moved yet another step closer to reality yesterday as the Board of Directors for the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA), representing more than 5,800 Pilots, unanimously approved a tentative agreement reached with the Company. The tentative agreement will now be presented to the full SWAPA membership for a ratification vote.
If approved by a majority vote of the Pilots, their current contract will be extended by one year, becoming amendable August 31, 2012, and also include the potential for wage rate increases based on the Company’s financial performance.
Last month, the Executive Board of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556, representing more than 9,700 Southwest Flight Attendants, unanimously approved a tentative agreement reached with the Company. The tentative agreement is currently being presented to all members of TWU 556 for a ratification vote.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. This is not the first time WN has operated larger aircraft than the 737-700. Click on the historic photo for the full story.
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