New Route Would Provide Low-Fare Competition
and West Coast Connectivity with the Nation's
Capital
DALLAS, May 20, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) will apply
to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for new, daily
nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
(DCA) and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS). The carrier is seeking one of
five new round-trip flights made available at DCA through the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024.
The new nonstop service would provide airline consumers with
much-needed choices and competition on the DCA to LAS nonstop route
that currently has only one flight per day operated by another
airline. If awarded the route, Southwest® projects
significantly lower average fares from DCA to LAS, where Southwest
offers more than 260 departures a day this summer, creating
convenient connecting opportunities from LAS for communities across
the western United States,
including Hawaii.
The airline's forthcoming application also will propose to
provide the only one-stop, same-plane/no change service between DCA
and Sacramento International
Airport (SMF) via LAS. The direct flight between California's capital and the nation's capital
would maximize the competitive and consumer benefits of the DCA
route.
"Southwest has a long history of connecting people across the
nation with important moments in their lives through competitive
airfares, friendly and flexible policies, and the unmatched
Hospitality of our People," said Bob
Jordan, President & Chief Executive Officer at Southwest
Airlines. "We look forward to demonstrating to the DOT that
Southwest's proposal will maximize benefits to the traveling
public."
"As the chair of the subcommittee overseeing tourism and a
member of the aviation subcommittee that helped write the FAA
reauthorization bill, I've been working to bolster our national
travel and tourism industry by increasing the flight slots to and
from DCA," said U.S. Sen. Jacky
Rosen. "I'm glad to support Southwest's application
to provide nonstop service between DCA and Harry Reid International
Airport because bringing more flights to Las Vegas creates more options for visitors to
come to our state and helps sustain critical tourism jobs."
"Providing this much-needed service between the nation's capital
and the sports and entertainment capital of the world will open up
new opportunities for all travelers," said Rosemary Vassiliadis, Clark County Director of Aviation. "Southwest
Airlines continues to be the largest commercial carrier at LAS,
accounting for more than 34% of our annual passengers. The
potential to expand this critical service to and from DCA will
provide business and leisure travelers with more convenient options
and accessibility for nonstop service that hasn't been available in
the past."
Southwest plans to operate the proposed service seven days a
week on a Boeing 737 aircraft with 175 seats. Southwest uniquely
offers every Customer a combination of up to two checked pieces of
baggage for free (weight and size limitations apply) and travel
funds and frequent flyer points that do not expire. In its more
than 50-year history, Southwest has never charged a change fee.
"We believe Southwest's proposed new DCA-LAS nonstop service
will lower fares and increase access for the nation's capital,
Las Vegas, and western states,"
Jordan said. "Customers in both markets will benefit from
competitive airfares and nonstop, hassle-free transportation aboard
the airline that invented friendly, reliable flying."
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines
Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded
airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121
airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to
democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air
travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within
the United States than any other
airline1. Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first
corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of
no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering
its more than 74,0002 People to deliver
unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a
passionate loyalty among more than 137 million Customers carried in
2023. That formula for success brought industry-leading prosperity
and 47 consecutive years3 of profitability for
Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a unique
legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including
harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities
at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting
Southwest.com/citizenship. As the airline with Heart,
Southwest has set a goal to work toward achieving net zero carbon
emissions by 20504. Southwest has also set near-term
targets and a three-pillar strategy to achieve its environmental
goals. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/planet.
1Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation
quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey since Q1
2021
2Fulltime-equivalent active
Employees
31973-2019 annual
profitability
4 Net zero by 2050 goal includes Scope
1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 Category 3 emissions only and excludes any
emissions associated with non-fuel products and services, such as
inflight service items.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.