Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) May 4, 2005
Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) scores big today in Pittsburgh! The carrier celebrated its first flights at Pittsburgh International Airport with a Southwest Airlines sports-themed pep rally. To book a flight to Pittsburgh or to any of Southwest’s other 59 destinations, visit: http://www.southwest.com/jp/luvhome.shtml?src=PR_PIT_050405 .
“Pittsburgh is one of the best airports in the country, and Southwest Airlines is proud to be starting service here today,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chief Executive Officer. “Now our Pittsburgh Customers can experience the convenient, high-value flights Southwest offers at such low fares.”
Southwest begins its Pittsburgh service today, with ten daily nonstop flights to the following cities: Chicago Midway (four daily), Las Vegas (one daily), Orlando (one daily), and Philadelphia (four daily). The airline will offer direct or connecting service to 37 other destinations, such as Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Los Angeles, Oakland, Houston, and Seattle/Tacoma. Connecting destinations also include cities such as Denver and San Francisco — via a codeshare agreement with ATA Airlines.
Southwest Airlines, long known as the low-fare leader, brings long-awaited discount fares to the Pittsburgh area. In addition to low advance purchase fares, Southwest offers inexpensive unrestricted fares to and from Pittsburgh. The airline’s walk-up fares start at a mere $ 79 one-way between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia or between Pittsburgh and Chicago Midway. This low fare is available on every seat, every flight, everyday. And that’s not all: Southwest’s fares top out at only $ 299 one-way for cross-country flights to Phoenix, Las Vegas, and destinations on the West Coast. No advance purchase or overnight stay is required on these unrestricted fares. (Fares do not include a $ 3.20 segment fee per takeoff and landing. Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility charges of up to $ 9 one-way and federal September 11 security fee of up to $ 5 one-way.)
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Allegheny County Airport Authority Chairman Glenn Mahone joined Kelly in the welcoming festivities at the airport. Additionally, Kevin McClatchy, Pittsburgh Pirates Chief Executive Officer and Managing General Partner, celebrated Southwest’s arrival in Pittsburgh with airline and airport officials.
As part of the inaugural ceremony, Kelly passed a football to Steelers legend Jerome Bettis as the football player celebrated the day with Southwest. Later in the event, Bettis and Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield doused Kelly with peanuts in celebration of Southwest’s inauguration of service.
With the addition of Pittsburgh, Southwest now offers nearly 3,000 daily flights to 60 cities in 31 states. Southwest Airlines employs 41 local Employees and more than 31,000 Employees nationwide. For Southwest Airlines lowest fares, visit http://www.southwest.com .
Media Contact:
Public Relations of Southwest Airlines
+1-214-792-4847
Customers
+1-800-I-FLY-SWA or +1-800-435-9792
en Espanol
+1-800-VAMONOS or +1-800-826-6667
http://www.southwest.com
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