Carrier Will Operate Eight Daily Nonstop Flights From New York Beginning June 2009

DALLAS, April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Start spreading the news, Southwest Airlines is starting in June! Southwest Airlines will be touching down in the Big Apple on June 28, 2009. The Dallas-based airline will offer a total of eight daily nonstop departures--five daily nonstop flights between Chicago Midway and LaGuardia and three daily nonstop departures between Baltimore/Washington and LaGuardia. Southwest is offering these new flights with fares as low as $89 one-way for Chicago flights and $49 one-way for Baltimore/Washington flights with a 14-day advance purchase (see fare rules below). To view a complete list of Southwest's flights from LaGuardia, visit: www.southwest.com

"Southwest Airlines brings to the New York market our unmatched record in Customer Service, our no hidden fees policy, and great flight service to two of our most convenient airports--Chicago Midway and Baltimore/Washington," said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. "Customers in both Chicago and the DC area now have a new low fare choice when planning trips into LaGuardia."

"New York City has always and will continue to succeed because we offer the people who come here for business or vacations things they just can't get anywhere else," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "As families and businesses weigh every travel decision carefully, Southwest's arrival at LaGuardia isn't just a boon for New Yorkers - it makes it a lot easier for people around the country to access New York's unparalleled ideas, energy, and entrepreneurism."

In addition to the eight daily nonstop flights, Southwest Airlines will offer direct or connecting service to more than 45 destinations from New York City, including: Las Vegas, Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Diego, just to name a few. To view all of Southwest's destinations from LaGuardia visit http://gallery.swamedia.com/photos/value=open/type=jpg . Southwest Airlines will operate from Gate B4 in LaGuardia's Central Terminal.

"For years, Customers have asked for Southwest service into New York City, and we are now connecting two of our largest markets with the nation's largest city," Kelly said.

    When shopping for Southwest online, it's important to know that Southwest
Airlines low fares are only available at www.southwest.com. Not only will
Customers find Southwest's great rates online at  www.southwest.com, but the
site also hosts Southwest's Travel Guide where Customers can check out New
York City travel tips posted by those who frequent the Big Apple.  To
celebrate the new service, one of Southwest Airlines' very own New Yorkers
posted her favorite things about New York on Southwest's blog--Nuts About
Southwest.  To view her insider tips, visit:
http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/new-york-la-guardia-my-homecoming.  To get
an insider perspective on Southwest's LaGuardia schedule check out the
following post:
http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/southwests-now-in-a-new-york-state-of-mind.

After nearly 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation's leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service, and no hidden fees. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom. Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest Airlines even more convenient. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 65 cities (adding Boston Logan in the fall) in 33 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.

Fare Rules

The $89 one-way fare between Chicago Midway and LaGuardia, and the $49 one-way fare between Baltimore/Washington and LaGuardia, are available for purchase today (only on southwest.com or swabiz.com through April 20, 2009, with travel June 29, 2009 through Aug. 13, 2009. Fares are valid every day except Friday and Sunday. Blackout dates apply: July 2, 2009 through July 6, 2009. Fares are one-way and do not require an overnight stay. All tickets must be purchased 14-days in advance. When combining fares, all ticketing restrictions apply. Seats are limited. Fares may vary by day of travel and will not be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Fares do not include a federal segment tax of up to $3.60 per takeoff and landing. Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility charges (PFC) of up to $9.00 one-way and U.S. government-imposed September 11th Security Fees of up to $5.00 one-way. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Tickets are nonrefundable but, if unused, may be applied toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest Airlines. Fares are valid on Southwest-operated published, scheduled service only and are not available through the Group Desk.

SOURCE
Southwest Airlines

CONTACT:
Southwest Airlines, +1-214-792-4847