NEWS FLASH--NEW SERVICE COMING NEXT MAY!!!

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NEWS FLASH--NEW SERVICE COMING NEXT MAY!!!

Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:19 — Bill Owen

It's Media Day at Southwest's Galactic Headquarters here in Dallas, and we have a LOT of news to share. 2010's first new city....expansion at a long-time Southwest destination....once again Southwest is getting creative to respond to demand for our service!

The biggest news of the day is that Southwest intends to begin service at the brand-new International Airport being built near Panama City, Florida next May. We're bringing low fares and GREAT service to the land of sugar-white-sand beaches, incredibly gentle blue waters, and an amazing variety of visitor accommodations just in time for vacation season, Summer, 2010! Up until Southwest's arrival, this part of Northwest Florida has been plagued by high fares and a lack of full-sized airline service. We're going to change that. Southwest's entry into the Panama City market will make it possible for all of America to experience the incredible beauty of Northwest Florida!

While we're not ready to announce specific service plans just yet (we'll announce all the specifics this December, so stay tuned!), the "how" of our entry into the Florida Panhandle is as interesting as the "why." For the first time ever, we've formed a strategic alliance with a corporate partner to enable Southwest to bring a new airport onto our network. The corporate ally in this venture is our friends at the St. Joe Corporation, with whom we've been talking for over a decade. Even if the St. Joe name isn't familiar, trust me, you know them. They are the largest landowner in the State of Florida, owning over a 600,000 acres of prime Florida Panhandle woodlands and beaches. They're also developing world-class resort communities in the area including the award-winning, jaw-droppingly-beautiful "Watercolor" complex.

Lots of other local groups are also actively helping Northwest Florida launch its new international airport. Both the Bay County Tourism Development Council and the South Walton Tourism Development Council have stepped up to the plate to make the new airport a success, as has Coastal Vision 3000. If you've never visited the Panama City area, believe me, you have an incredible treat in store. I'm already planning my family's vacation there next summer (whale watchers, take note....*gr*)!

In other big news about our May 2010 schedule, today Gary announced our intent to grow our St. Louis operation by adding new nonstop service in six markets, and additional flights in two others. We'll be adding two new nonstop, roundtrip flights each weekday between St. Louis and both Los Angeles and Nashville; and one daily roundtrip between St. Louis and New Orleans; Raleigh/Durham; Seattle; and San Diego. (Sidebar to all of you nascent "schedule geeks" out there--St. Louis-Nashville service may be the single most frequently requested new market between existing Southwest airports during my 16 years in Schedule Planning. So, to all of you that have asked for this service through the years, this one's for you--NOW KINDLY GO BUY A TICKET!!!!)

These additions come on the heels of our other recent St. Louis announcement that we're adding new nonstop service between Lambert and both Boston and Minneapolis/St. Paul this coming January. In fact, we're so pumped about our growth in St. Louis that we'll add a third St. Louis-Minneapolis/St. Paul flight with all of the other new service in May. All told, by next may, we plan to be operating 83 weekday departures from our gates in Lambert-St. Louis International's East Terminal (which is the newest and most modern terminal at Lambert!).

Again, all of this awesome new service in St. Louis and Panama City will begin next May, and will be available for sale this December. But don't wait until December to check out this blog again--you never know what other surprises we've got in store for you!

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Comments

Hope this brings the low fares to Panama City, its always been so expensive to fly from here.

panamarandy — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:27

From all of us in STL - Thank u so much!!!!!

Amy — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:31

NOW IF SWA WOULD ONLY FLY INTO CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA!!!

DEAN — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:33

Southwest Airlines! You guys Rock this world!!! Keep it up and keeping it going on. We need Southwest Ailines everywhere and soon. Soo we can have that comfort for all of our travel needs. Now just do assigned seating and charge us the premium of early bird. thanks!

wwelifer — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:37

What about St. Louis-San Antonio??? Come on Gary! You are from SA! You know that there is a big AT&T traffic flow between the 2 markets!

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:37

"Strategic Alliance" = subsidy?

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:40

Great news! I have Family living in the Panama City region! Great Job Southwest!

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:40

It's great to see Southwest expand service in my hometown, St.Louis. American airlines has become a joke. Cutting service, occupying all but one luggage carousel in the older Main Terminal, just awful. Southwest will prove that St. Louis is a great market, and prove that AA has absolutely no clue.....:)

Teddy Mexico — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:47

Now if you could just fly to Key West!!!!!!! Run AirTran out of there!

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:47

subsidy! In this economy. Southwest take what you can get. You deserve to be blessed for making flying affordable for all consumers for over 30 years, And your still not appreciated or valued.

wwelifer — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:47

I can't wait...I have friends that live in the Panhandle and have been pestering me to come visit...now I can....

msinger30 — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:53

Go SWA! Let the party begin!

Billy — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:54

MSP-STL +1 is great.

When do we get new MSP non-stop service?

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:56

OH PLEASE HAVE A FLIGHT FROM LAS VEGAS. I HAVE BEEN FLYING SWA TO JACKSONVILLE OR NEW ORLEANS FOR YEARS AND DRIVING 5 HOURS TO GET THERE OR PAYING BIG BUCKS TO DELTA OR NWA. Oh this is great news!!!!

LORI — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:58

Looking for Southwest to fly from RDU to Newark. That would be awesome!

Mary Jean — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:02

Darn! Norfolk gets left out again. We are losing AA's ORF-STL service.

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:04

I wish SWA would fly into Knoxville or Chattanooga

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:06

Bill--

Next time I fly into Dallas and go to HDQ I wanna shake your hand and THANK YOU from the bottom of my Southwest HEART for thinking of us here in STL!!!

You have made my day, I am very pumped to see the new additional cities.

If anyone remembers our history at STL we started service to MSY and dropped it fairly quickly if I am correct. I am glad to see a return of MSY to STL yet again.

My question is, AA still has a big presence for STL-LAX, why did you feel a return of STL-LAX can work now, as well as 2 daily flights?

Once again thank you so much! I am very excited and you bet I will be utilizing these flights!!!

STL-BNA is so true Bill, when I worked there we constantly got STL-BNA folks who would double book STL-MDW, then MDW-BNA. Glad to see it here finally!!!

Thanks again Bill!!!

Alex

Alex Trude — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:09

Would it be too much to hope for a direct flight between STL and Panama City? My husband's family is in STL and all of mine is in PC!

Thanks so much for adding NW FL to your schedule!

Patty — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:12

I am VERY disappointed in Southwest. There is no traffic at Panama City, and no money to be made there. Panama City is a very small market...There is a lot more passenger traffic and money to be made in Pensacola. Panama City will be WN's smallest market. There are currently less then 30 flights a day into PFN.

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:16

I am so glad that Nashville is finally getting some LUV from Southwest instead of all of it going to Denver. Nashville could be much bigger if Southwest would just utilize us to our max! Thank you Southwest for the new flights to Panama City and St. Louis from Nashville. This made my day and I look forward to using both of them as soon as they start!!! Thank you!!

Nashville Southwest Flyer

Michael — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:17

FINALLY! I love Southwest and I'm thrilled that you'll be in Panama City. Since I've moved to LA from Panama City, it's been cheaper for me to fly to London rather than back home for visits. I'm ready to fly an airline that has their act together.

Erica — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:25

BIG MISTAKE, should have gone to Pensacola, then you are smack dab in the middle of the fastest growing area in America. From Gulfport MS to Panama City FL is where you see all the future growth and Business growth. Thought Gary Kelly was about building up Business Travel? You need to explain this one. I know Mobile AL needs to improve the airport and access to it. But in that area FORBES and other magazines say Mobile and Baldwin County and the Gulfshores area are hot. If you have picked Pensacola you would score with, Airbus and the facility that is growing fast and could explode with the Tanker, Thyssen Steel Mill in Alabama, New HK Motors Plant in North Baldwin County, thousands of jobs. Plus then Kelly would have a chance to go after a Code Share with Lutfanasa or an Asian Airline for HK to China.

I am not sure if getting low landing fees to help a new airprt out is going to do Southwest any good in attracting Business Travel, so keep it Family Fun and Whale watching, you will never grab the Business Travel you seek in decisions like this. Just wonder if your folks realize all the ship building in MS, New Business in AL and then the Military stuff in Ft Walton Beach and Pensacola is right off the Interstate too with easy access.

Congratulations to you but some of these moves make one wonder if SWA will ever attract the business clients that they need to make $.

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:26

Southwest, you rock! Love that you're on Twitter too @LessAllan here!

Allan Branch — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:30

This Companion Pass holder in KC thanks you - but I think you'll need more than 2 flights a day in June and July.

TennKan — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:33

Dear Southwest,
I live in Panama City and as a Cadet at the Air Force Academy in Colorado i've been burdened with extreme fares when I want to fly home for Spring Break, Summer, Thanksgiving Break, and Christmas. Albeit i'll be ending junior year when these flights start, i'm still so appreciative. My travels home while i'm a senior and during my years as an officer will be greatly enhanced because of your efforts as the greatest airline company. I get my loan here in a few weeks, i'm now toying with the idea of buying your stock solely because of this. Y'all are the best as always.

-Brandon

Brandon — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:37

I second the request for Charlotte. I fly there quarterly to visit our company's second manufacturing facility in Chester Co. S.C., and I'm sick and tired of either driving 3 hours to Raleigh or the Delta shuffle through ATL.

tusphotog — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:39

I was hoping SWA would one day fly to the Panhandle. Kudos for adding Panama City!

Mark Turner — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:40

I love PCB but I need to get to Tallahassee. PLEASE!

MoMo — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:42

Thanks SWA! There are many traveling business professionals that call the Florida Panhandle home. This will allow some of us to actually stay here rather than having to move to larger metropolitan areas that are only filled with crowed highways, bad air, and much more crime!

EH — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:53

What about PIT?

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:54

Would love to have an Atlanta to St. Louis flight!!!

Michelle — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:58

Please make one of the non-stops to Houston Hobby! Way to go SW!

BeachRat — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 15:01

THANK YOU for moving into Panama City!!! It would be great to have flights from Los Angeles as well as Las Vegas for us west coasters!!!! We love the panhandle!!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 15:04

This is awesome news! As a frequent traveler to the most beautiful beaches of the Florida Panhandle...I am thrilled to finally have a choice of airlines. Delta has been out of hand on airfares in this area which really hurts the local economy and their customer's wallets. Southwest = friend to the Panhandle. Delta = time to match Southwest airfares or lose!

Ray Smets — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 15:05

This is awesome! I live in Washington DC but my whole family lives near Panama City and I always end up paying way too much or driving hours out of the way just to come home! Thanks Southwest you guys Rock!!!

Roxy — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 15:15

Thank goodness! About time!!!!

MK — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 15:24

I am SO disappointed that SWA chose a location so far away from Pensacola!!!! To fly SWA, it still means a drive to New Orleans or a drive to PCB. So, I guess we'll still be flying Delta and always having to endure layovers. Thanks for NOTHING!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 15:30

Let's get some more new service to Dulles Airport PLEASE!!

greg — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 15:36

We already love you Southwest and you're not even here yet! Thank you for coming to our area! I can't wait for my family and friends to be able to afford to visit me now!

-- South Walton Resident

Sowal Resident — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 15:39

Thanks. I Live in Panama City and can't wait to go visit friends all over the nation. I can not afford the current delta prices!!!!

Blake — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 15:40

Both Family and Business have us travelling back and forth from Pensacola to Kansas City (MCI) many times during the year. The KC business purchased a company located in Pensacola and that has resulted in many employees flying this route often throughout the year.
We were all so hopeful that you would come to Pensacola, picking up the travel from NW FL and the surrounding areas of Destin, Ft. Walton, Gulf Shores, Mobile, Gulfport, Biloxi, etc. - Pensacola has been described as the next location in Florida for big development. What? Not PCB?? Nope. Pensacola. Maybe SWA didn't talk to the right business people.

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 15:44

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
I jumped for joy when I heard a non-stop from my new home (RDU) to my old home (STL). I've always thought it would be a great flight with connection to LUV for all those hi-tech companies. The news that BNA and STL will be connected is GRREEAT, too. That means If I can't make the non-stop, I won't have to connect through Midway with its complete lack of seating when I fly to STL to visit the fam. Hope you make tons of money and expand it the route.

stldave — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 15:46

LOVE this news! I just hope Denver is one of the four cities! Thank you Southwest!

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 16:03

YAY, but I'd be even happier if I could get that nonstop to Las Angeles by March for spring break!

Pam — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 16:05

So glad to hear this GREAT news. We've been praying for this day for many years and welcome the future of Panama City Beach. Can't wait to see how "The Southwest Effect" takes hold of our slice of paradise.

Jason Koertge — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 16:09

Great job Southwest! Can't wait to take those PCB flights! It will be so nice to be able to afford to fly right into Panama City. We are a military family and Panama City is home, this is perfect!

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 16:13

Awesome!!

Joel Linn — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 16:23

Thank you so much for choosing our new Airport. I know you will not be sorry. I am so glad not to have to drive to Tallahasse or Pensacola for decent flights. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

Sandy — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 16:36

Hey, Pensacola people, get St. Joe's to ensure Southwest at least breaks even at your airport, then you can complain.

A company basically GUARANTEED a multi-year cushion for Southwest to build a market (and these are two companies who know how to market the heck out of affordable destinations); if Southwest and St. Joe's marketing can't make these routes profitable, I'm sure you'll see PFN become nothing and PNS get ramped up.

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 16:41

This is fantastic news, in May, the best beach will only be an hour away!

It may even be possible to spend the night at home in BNA and just take subsequent day trips to PCB.. without needing a hotel!

briadavi — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 16:44

I've been waiting on this service from BWI to Panama City. it will be huge success. We will fly it every month. Excited that Balt will now get the opportunity to get to knwo the nicest area of FL.

Baltimore — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 16:52

Southwest Airlines serving "the REDNECK RIVIERA"... How fitting!

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 17:01

Great news that Southwest is coming to PFN! Now, PLEASE create a direct flight between Panama city and Detroit! Can't wait!

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 17:40

OH MY GOSH!!! I am so excited for all of us. I have been praying SWA would start flying to Northwest Florida for so long, and finally its going to happen. I think it is a market we will get so much business from ... from tourism, lots of military live there, and snow birds ... ! I was privledged as a kid to live there for a couple of years, and its where I hold some of my best childhood memories. This is so great, and I am excited for us all. Go Southwest!!!

LaRocca — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 17:55

Alright! Was really disappointed that AA was cutting their New Orleans-St Louis nonstop next year, glad to see Southwest is going to fill the gap! A nonstop ALWAYS beats a connection!

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 18:03

We LUV Southwest & WaterColor! We fly Southwest every chance we can & just flew to Birmingham & drove to WaterColor just to avoid Delta. Make it a non stop from STL to Panama City & we can finally seriously look at buying our dream beach house at WaterColor! Thank You Southwest!!

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 18:12

Expect non-stop service to Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Baltimore, Chicago, and Las Vegas. If they start service with between 20-30 flights, then expect Nashville, Phoenix, too.

Scott near SMF — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 18:19

Dear Southwest,

This is the best news all year! I would like to say Thank You for adding Panama City to your coverage map. I live in Las Vegas, but have a condo in Panama City Beach. I have dreamed of this for the past year. As someone who flies Southwest, mostly regionally, I have often looked at the map on the back of your napkins and used "The Secret" to imagine a little sunshine on the panhandle of Florida. It worked! Yay for Southwest and Yay for Panama City Beach!

Cheers,
Jen

http://www.splashpanamacitybeachcondo.com/

Jen G. — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 18:43

marie economus
I AM SO HAPPY--WHERE WILL YOU FLY OUT OF OHIO? I HOPE PITS. OR COLUMBUS-DOES ANYONE KNOW,NOW?

meconomus — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 18:45

Great news!! About time someone replaced AA - who bought TWA and used STL as way to limit competition for their Chicago hub, and bled it dry. Wait till you see the response from travelers in STL. I can see the SW frequent flyer applications beginning as we speak. So long AA. Now how about SFO-STL and IND-STL next? Love SW!!!!!

Tom — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 18:57

Great news. It's about time someone replaced AA - who bought TWA and used STL and bled it dry. Wait till the people in STL here this news. I see the SW frequent flyer applications beginning as we speak. So long AA. Love SW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 19:04

I would never have guessed Panama City, but I suppose it shows that Southwest is open to market opportunities large (like MSP and BOS) and smaller. Lucky STL! Bill, I know this isn't under your control, but I can't wait to see your fleet growth ramp up again so that more ready to grow markets can get boosted! Thanks for your post.

Robert S — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 19:37

Good move Southwest!

The Panhandle is a huge vacation destination, and people have a hard time getting there. I'd be willing to bet that the flight between BNA and NWFL will be packed. The "Redneck Riviera" is a popular destination for people in the MidSouth! The flight to STL is long overdue! We've been begging for that flight for years and years, and it's nice that you guys are listening to us. Now if you could just add Louisville, OKC, and Little Rock....

Seriously though, I'm not sure I understand why you're leaving Ontario, CA out in the cold by cutting one of their only flights to the East by getting rid of Nashville is pretty cold. Whatever.

Next plan, enter ATL and just route all the flights through BNA like you did w/ MSP and MDW at first. I go to school in Dallas now, and I love you guys... can't wait until they "set love free" in 2013 so I can stop connecting through BHM, HOU, or MSP!

John from BNA — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 19:44

This is GREAT news, St.Joe and Southwest will be fantastic partners. The new PCB Airport will service South Alabama, South Georgia and the entire panhandle. My home in Laguna Beach is only 8miles from the airport. Thank you Southwest my family is THRILLED!!!

"Bone" — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 20:52

I am a resident of Panama City Beach. Many many people in this area are extremely excited about this announcement. Finally, we can fly in and out of here without breaking the bank for an airline ticket. Welcome to" THE WORLDS MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES" and the place we call home.

johnboy — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 20:55

Flying to new Florida airport will be HUGE for them!! 16 million tourists by car to the panhandle each year.

Flights direct from Nashville and New Orleans would be HUGE!!! Lots of folks from these areas vacation in the Destin-Panama City area.

Great job SWA!!!!!!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 20:59

If Southwest thinks by docking in Panama City you will attract travelers from Pensacola and parts north and west. I'm afraid not. To travel from Pensacola to P.C. we have to negotiate highway 98 which takes 2 1/2 hours if the traffic is not heavy. Believe it or not, it's faster for us to drive to New Orleans via I-10.
Maybe someday you'll explain to us dimwits why you picked P.C. who's only asset might be Destin. Too far off any good highway for people other than Panimaniacs. Lucky stiffs.
We love everything about you Southwest. I hope it's not too late to change your mind. "dave" in PNS

txsailorboy — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 21:10

Please lets finally get a direct flight from chicago. I've flown into just about every airport in the Florida panhandle looking for a decent price which ALWAYS calls for a stopover. It would be GREAT to finally have a direct flight into Panama City.

Bearabull — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 22:22

THANK YOU GARY!!!! I ASKED YOU THIS QUESTION @ HC. I AM SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO FLY TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WATERS AND BEACHES IN THE US ON OUR OWN PRIVATE JET!!!
CANT WAIT FOR THE FIRST FLIGHT OUT OF HOUSTON :)

Ann Lee — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 22:35

Great addition southwest. Stil think Atlanta or Macon would be a great market. It is one of the most requested markets.

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 22:51

I love that the folks from Pensacola criticize SWA and Panama City with all of their "facts" and then sign the comment "anonymous". Congratulations New PFN, SWA and St. Joe for a great effort to build a wonderful area of the Panhandle as well as loyal SWA customers. Delta had better get ready to reap what they have sown for decades of overpriced flights. However, I did win the lottery with a flight from PFN to Cancun roundtrip for $212 in December. I still think it was an error on Delta's part.

Brian Wals — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 23:06

Finally, won't have to drive to Tallahassee to fly in and out! Thanks!

Anonymous — Wed, 10/21/2009 - 23:35

I hope this will include flights out of St. Louis to Panama City. The area is going to explode if it does. I will never drive again if I can fly there inexpensively.

Gary — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 01:28

I so think Georgia or South Carolina would be a better choice. Southwest needs to look at that market for sure.

js1102ss — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 02:25

PENSACOLA, PENSACOLA, PENSACOLA, PENSACOLA........

Anonymous — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 09:02

AMEN to Charotte what about Fort Wayne IN!!!!!!! Come on share the LOVE SOUTHWEST we love you!

Mark Capper — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 09:10

Thanks for BNA-STL and I'm excited about the rumor amongst the local news in Florida that Nashville is one of the PFN cities. That's a huge vacation spot for people here. I can't say that of any other city and the 9 hour drive is MISERABLE so I'm glad you guys are going to take care of it. However, I don't care for the term "Redneck Riviera" or the people who use it. I've actually never heard that before. It's nice to see some BNA growth again. Let's try to keep it up. I'd really like to see Atlanta, Charlotte, or Indianapolis from Nashville. I particularly love Charlotte so I hope it comes first. As far as Atlanta goes we just REALLY need an alternative to Delta and their horrific ASA affiliate(If you're evening return flight is with them on a day trip then you may as well go ahead and rent a car to come back because they'll probably cancel your flight) and we don't have AirTran. Thanks again and keep up the good work :)

Max — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 09:33

Thank you, thank you, thank you. We've been hoping since we knew the airport was planned, that Southwest would go to Panama City Beach. So many more travelers will fly rather than drive if they can land in PCB. I know of many people who will go to other locations because PCB is in the middle of airport no mans land. I have family there and it is such a hassle to fly to other airports and drive 3 hours to get to the PCB area. Spring breakers will love you too.

Aletha — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 10:50

This is not a good day for good news in Pensacola; we were so excited about SouthWest Airlines coming to Pensacola. I fly Southwest all the time by going to New Orleans; I was so looking forward to it coming to Pensacola which seems like such a better market than Panama City.

Pensacola — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 12:26

This is great news! I'd love to see a direct flight out of Philadelphia! It would save a 4-5 hour ride from other Florida destinations or flying Delta. It'd also save the 3 hour ride to Baltimore. Please consider Philadelphia!!

Pat Koroncai — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 12:30

::::SO disappointed that SWA chose a location so far away from Pensacola!!!! To fly SWA, it still means a drive to New Orleans or a drive to PCB:::::

HA HA HA HA!!

I grew up in Texas (home of Southwest Airlines) and lived near the Red River. Heck, we had to drive over an hour-and-a-half if we just wanted to see a good movie! Texans don't think anything about a one hour drive to get to something good!

You people need to get over the driving thing. Shoot, it takes over an hour in traffic just to drive from the east side of Dallas to the west side of Fort Worth! C'mon don't be a crybaby!

Anonymous — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 13:32

Still no DEN service for CMH?!? Why doesn't CMH ever get any "new" LUV? We are a market starved for more air service. At least Air Tran picked up some of the slack and are doing well here.

Anonymous — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 14:14

Good Thursday afternoon, everyone!

Thanks for all of the good wishes and support. And to those of you out there that are expressing disappointment that our new city announcement was not Pensacola, guys, please understand this was never a competition between the two. This was not an "either/or" decision. We know enough to understand that the two are distinct, different markets, and we remain interested in Pensacola. However, the combination of a new airport and the alliance with St. Joe led us to believe that it was time in May of 2010 to "do" Panama City.

Hope that explanation eases the disappointment! Keep those comments coming, and thanks!

Bill

Bill Owen — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 15:25

Note to Southwest: One daily round trip between the new PC airport and STL. Big demand for this flight.

Anonymous — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 17:07

SWEEEEEETTTTTTTTT !!! Now the Worlds' Most Beautiful Beaches will be served by the Worlds' Best Airline !!!! Ready to jump on a plane today and head down to Dustys' Oyster Bar - home of Scotty O - 4 time US Oyster Shucking Champion. Mmmmmm can taste those yummy oysters now !!!! Great Job Southwest !!!!!! I can't wait !!!!! Wish it was December (and then May 2010) already !!!!!!!

Tim — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 17:51

~~~BIG THANKS~~~ to Southwest for choosing Panama City! I love Southwest so much that I currently drive all the way to Tampa to fly my son up to Buffalo to see his family! I can't wait until you are here!! My corporate office is Murfreesboro, TN, so a direct flight to Nashville would be awesome! It would save me so much time when having to commute back and forth. I also love to travel to Tampa and Birmingham. It would be super to have direct flights there too!!

Michelle Eick — Thu, 10/22/2009 - 19:45

YEAHHH!!!!! We can FINALLY afford to visit family in Minneapolis! I will never fly Delta again! I can already imagine the day trips to ATL. The jobs that SW will bring to this area will be great too-- I'll try to talk my dad into a maintenance position. He just retired this year from teaching power mechanics for 34 years in the public school system. THANKS SO MUCH SW!!!

Monica — Fri, 10/23/2009 - 01:04

Maryann
Please, Please add Service in Georgia. The Atlanta area needs you here...

maryann11 — Fri, 10/23/2009 - 08:49

love you LUV! please please put BNA on the flight to Panama City! At least until you can get up and running in Chattanooga! well, even then BNA direct flighht would still be supported!

Pam — Fri, 10/23/2009 - 08:51

This is fantastic news! Many of us in Pittsburgh are holding our collective breath that service will extend to the Pittsburgh market, with it's beautiful and underutilized airport. Pittsburgh PLEASE?!

Karen M — Fri, 10/23/2009 - 09:10

Bill...some people have fantasy football but as you know us airline nerds have fantasy schedule planning hehehe...I see 2 HOU, 2 BWI, 2 MDW, 2 MCO.. But I could also see by not doing 2 flights each to 4 cities...I could see 2 HOU ,1 BWI, 1 MDW, 1 STL , 1 BNA , 1 MCO, 1 TPA.. .But going with the 4 by 2...routing using 2 planes 1..PFN-HOU-PFN-BWI-PFN-HOU-PFN-BWI-PFN.......2 PFN-MCO-PFN-MDW-PFN-MCO-PFN-MDW-PFN..just my two cents..enjoy..got to fly now..the things you do on ground time..hehehe

wingnut — Fri, 10/23/2009 - 11:17

Hi Southwest!
Greetings from the worlds most beautiful beaches!
Speaking as a resident of Panama City I can't wait until our new airport opens and Southwest is bringing folks to soak up the rays!
As a Realtor I am hoping and praying that people will look at our market before other beach areas and realize how fantastic the bargains are here.
Incidentally, shoot me a message at pcjanis@gmail.com if you would like for me to send you info on some of the bargains. Can you say gulf front 1 bedroom condo for under 150,000.00?
Congratulations Southwest, you're gonna love our beach!!
And if 30A and St Joe's Watercolor Resort is your cup of tea...there are great deals there as well!!

Janis — Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:33

Thank you Southwest and St Joe. I've lived here 57 years and this is the best economic news I've heard in all those years. This whole community is "besides themselves" in glee. It's like we won the Olympics.

Please choose our 4 directs wisely. It would be best for this community that you pick cities that we can draw the most tourists and potential condo owners from...ie: not competing tourist destinations..Vegas, Orlando, San Franciso, San Antonio etc.

My choices Dallas, Chicago, Nashville, Baltimore

Thanks again...I hope you are here for many years to come.

Jimmy — Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:33

Panama City Beach - YEA!!!!! Lots of folks in Nashville LOVE to go to Destin. This is perfect. We have been waiting on this. Can you move the service UP.

Annual beach trip for 18 women to Destin. This year we leave on Tues (4/27) and come home (BNA) on Sunday (5/2). Let's get going. Let the 18 women be on your first trip down!!!!!!
Love SWA

Anonymous — Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:53

Dear SWA,

I also think you made a LARGE mistake picking Panama City over Pensacola. Your catchment would have been much larger here. It is a no brainer really. You could have drawn passengers along the I10 corridor (Biloxi to Pensacola to Destin) and North along Federal Hwy 29. The Panama City choice just doesn't make sense. It is an end destination with no good road access and no interstate access. The St Joe aggreement, while attractive, just does not make sense while we have passenger traffic in Pensacola in amounts that equal Panama City, Mobile, and Fort Walton Beach combined. Now you have alienated only Panama City residents to use your service for outgoing flights. Panama city to Pensacola is 2.5 hrs on a GOOD day with NO traffic and Destin to Panama City is 1.5 hrs driving time. Trying adding a 2 hr early arrival to that before checking in !

travellermd — Fri, 10/23/2009 - 16:53

Dear SWA,

I, as well as many in the Pensacola area, am very disappointed about your decision to pick Panama City and leave Pensacola behind in 2010. The decision makes NO sense. Panama City is an end destination where few will travel outbound. Panama City has a small catchment area compared to Pensacola which is on I10 and would reach beyond the Biloxi to Tallahassee corridor. Panama City has no road access. In fact it is a 2.5hr drive to Pensacola on a good day with no traffic and 1.5hrs to Destin. Try adding a 2hr arrival time before your departure to that and I am afraid your passenger numbers will be low. Surely Pensacola has a larger catchment area given that its airport has more passenger traffic than Mobile, Ft Walton and Panama City combined. The Pensacola metro area is almost 1/2 million!While the St Joe aggreement may look attractive, it is the good old singular customer that brings long term business. It was the "big number$" which brought on the housing crunch over common sense decision making. Good luck!

travellermd — Fri, 10/23/2009 - 18:58

Southwest you are awsome..what a great choice in Panama City,Florida. i will be able to get there and hang out on the beautiful beaches and see those beautiful sunsets more often. Plus i will be able to spend more time in my condo at Shores of Panama. WOW...WOW.. best news of the Day. THANKS..

Guillermo Hernandez — Fri, 10/23/2009 - 21:25

Thanks, Southwest! Panama City has needed a low cost carrier for a very long time. This is wonderful news for our area, and we'll be so happy to see you in our brand new airport!

jobeibi — Fri, 10/23/2009 - 21:47

As a PCB resident I have dreamed of this day for years. I travel to the West Coast, Denver, San Diego and Las Vegas several times a year and so do my friends and family. I have had to drive to Pensacola, Ft Walton and Talhassee to avoid terrible prices and services provided by Delta through Hartsfield. Two nights ago I flew from las Vegas to Pensacola in trip of horrors and each time I looked at a Southwest plane wished I could be flying on it. I am hoping for Denver and Las Vegas. I also know that many people form Chicago come to our area. I would hope Southwest finds it soon needs to serve us directly from 8-10 markets not 4.
My choices Denver, Las Vegas San Diego, Chicago. Expecting it to be Nashville, Houston, Chicago and one Southwest City. I will support Southwest exclusively if there are West coast flights available.

jordan — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 00:59

I am with the otha guy. Its about time for the Queen City

Anonymous — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 01:02

Airtran is pulling out of Charleston, SC AFB in December 2009 and the AFB welcomes 737's. Over the past years Airtran has pulled out of both Myrtle Beach and Savannah-Hilton Head. The coastal low-country void could be a great opportunity and SWA has nothing inside the RDU-JAX-BHM triangle. That drive from Raleigh or Jacksonville gets old.

Kyle-Buffalo/Charleston — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 06:28

"But don't wait until December to check out this blog again--you never know what other surprises we've got in store for you!"

We'll be waiting!!! : )

AZDave — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 11:00

Thank you SWA for picking Panama City over Pensacola. To the person that said there would be no outbound traffic, exactly how do you think all the inbound vacationers are going to get home??? The decision by SWA is a great one, it will be tremendous for our area. To the person that said it is 1.5 hour from Destin to PCB, it's only 45 minutes. I am a Destin resident who often travels to Nashville on business and hope the rumors of a direct flight to BNA are true.

WAY TO GO SOUTHWEST!!!

Anonymous — Sat, 10/24/2009 - 23:15

Why don't you serve BNA-IND?!?!?!?! That is a huge gaping hole in your network from here and once AA's STL hub closes and DL finishes off CVG I will either have to go up to Chicago and back or out to Kansas City and back to get there which is insane. We had service to IND for years before US dropped it last(because their hub closed not because we were a bad market) and it is a no brainer for Nashville. It is also time to start to looking at how to serve CVG(maybe Terminal 1 or 2) and prepare to fill the hole there that Delta is getting ready to leave. That hub is basically the only way that Nashvillians can get to the majority of Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky without driving or flying so far out of our way that the drive is faster. What is this? The 40's? We can't even get on a train. I think a city that could fill the coach cabin of AA's 767 London-Gatwick flight can at least serve up one daily 737 flight to Indianapolis. That would be a business traveler heaven if you would ever jump in there. Atlanta & Charlotte would be too but we'll hit on that one later.

Allan — Sun, 10/25/2009 - 02:35

Thank you for choosing PFN!! Many, many from Chicago are hoping MDW will be one of the four destinations chosen for non stop flights!! joanne

joanne — Sun, 10/25/2009 - 17:42

You didn't add NW Florida to your route map, you added Panama City. Nobody in the panhandle is going to drive hours over bad roads and a hundred stop lights to a place 50 miles from the nearest interstate just to fly your airline. May you and St. Joe live happilly after... why don't you stencil their name on your aircraft while you're at it.

Rob Dione — Sun, 10/25/2009 - 20:17

I hate how all of us who pledged $$$$$ in hopes of getting Southwest to Pensacola were duped into thinking we had a chance. Why didn't Southwest just say NO PENSACOLA you don't have chance in this! We already picked Panama City because St Joe bought us as a charter airline. I think the way this played out will lead the surrounding communities to have sore feeling toward Southwest! Read the article below!

LUV is gone for Southwest
Carlton Proctor • cproctor@pnj.com • October 25, 2009

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Still in LUV with Southwest Airlines?

Not me.

Anybody buying that disingenuous "we're-still-in-the-running" line?

The outcome of this so-called campaign among the three Panhandle airports to win Southwest service was never in doubt.

The mega-deal between Southwest and the Panama City folks was locked down months ago, thanks to the deep and cavernous pockets of The St. Joe Co.

Owner of some 600,000 acres surrounding the new $330 million Panama City-Bay County International Airport, St. Joe engineered a monster $65 million deal that simply overwhelmed its late-starting competition.

While Pensacola folks were busily and enthusiastically mounting their Pledge LUV campaign, Southwest's CEO Gary Kelly was putting the finishing touches on the too-sweet-to-refuse deal worked out with St. Joe.

Pensacola never had a chance, and Southwest executives should have said so months ago.

And when the dust settled last week, the harsh reality that stunned local officials the most was that Southwest would lead them — right up to the morning of the announcement — to believe that they were still in the game.

In effect, Southwest ignored its long-standing and highly successful business plan and agreed to be bought by St. Joe.

As one well-connected Pensacola official said, "St. Joe paid Southwest tens of millions of dollars to become a charter airline for their new airport."

Another told me Southwest's behavior was "very disturbing" given Pensacola's determined and decade-long efforts to build good will with the Dallas-based airline.

So, where does all this leave Pensacola's Gulf Coast Regional Airport?

If you read the details of the Southwest deal, it's apparent the carrier has no intention of starting service to Pensacola before 2013, and perhaps many years beyond that.

Southwest is not going to do anything that would jeopardize its efforts to build a new market in Bay County, and Kelly said as much in a news conference last week.

All of the above raises the question of whether Pensacola should even bother sending a hat-in-hand delegation to Dallas in mid-November to make nice with Southwest executives, as if the steamroller Panama City-Bay County deal never happened.

That same delegation might better spend its time and money promoting the airlines we do have here, not the ones we don't.

The Southwest dance is over for now; it's time to move on.

travellermd — Sun, 10/25/2009 - 21:11

I think the new airport in Panama City, with it's larger runways, and ability to service larger planes, will finally bring in some airfare competition. Delta has been taking advantage of people in that area for way too long. I am definitely looking forward to RDU to PFN flights. Thanks Southwest, for seeing the possibilities in the Florida panhandle.

Anonymous — Mon, 10/26/2009 - 06:38

I think having MSY as one of the nonstop destinations from Panama City does make some sense, for the simple reason that there is a large amount of people who drive from the MSY area to the PFN (and nearby Destin, Seaside, Santa Rosa, etc.) area for quick trips. With WN coming in with $39 fares each way (just making a guess based on the flight duration), I think they could capture a good chunk of the drive market. A one hour flight would sure beat a five hour+ drive. If they did PFN-HOU nonstop they'd miss out on feed from MSY which I think could end up being fairly large over time...plus, there would still be connections via MSY...DAL, LAS, PHX, DEN, MDW, soon STL, depending on the flight times. So there's a definite upside into having MSY as one of the cities flying nonstop to PFN. Whether it happens or not is another thing. I'll go with MSY, BNA, BWI, and either TPA or MCO.

Anyway, congrats to WN and to Panama City!

Anonymous — Mon, 10/26/2009 - 06:48

For everyone crying that SW didn't come to PNS instead, maybe you can lobby SW for a PFN-PNS flight....if you can find a local company with $20,000,000 to cover the huge losses than maybe it will happen.

Jim Bobby — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 08:08

I wish you would fly Tampa to Greensboro, NC or Charlotte, NC...my daughter just had a baby and I have to fly another airline to get there. I have been to Raleigh but the drive from the airport to my daughters home is too long.

dgumbs — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 08:37

Panama City to BWI, PLEASE.

thanks

rastadoc — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 15:01

Great news that you will fly into Northwest Florida!

Hope to see SDF in the mix of direct and/or non-stop flights. The I-65 corridor has lots of traffic that goes to this area of Florida. MDW, IND, SDF, BNA, BHM.

MDW-SDF-BNA-PFN
IND-SDF-BHM-PFN

Anonymous — Wed, 10/28/2009 - 09:59

TPA or RDU to PFN, please!!! There is no other airline doing it and the demand is there. For those bad mouthing the fact that their closest airport did not win SW service - Drive to PFN. I live in Sarasota and since we don't have SW here, I drive to Tampa. Smile and be positive about more SW service in Florida! I love it.

Anonymous — Wed, 10/28/2009 - 14:02

There is an INTERSTATE system between Tampa and Sarasota!!! Obviously you don't know where Panama City is (along US HWY 98). It won't happen.

travellermd — Wed, 10/28/2009 - 17:41

I just mapped out Sarasota to Tampa 1 hr 3 mins or 61 miles on I75! (Google Maps)

Pensacola to Panama City 110 miles or 2 hrs and 44 mins on US Hwy 98!

So don't tell me or anyone else to drive to Panama City!

Pensacola to New Orleans : 201 miles or 3 hrs 9 mins on a safer non stop highway!

Somebody say FOUL!

travellermd — Wed, 10/28/2009 - 17:52

Thank you Southwest! You have made a great decision to go to Panama City Florida. We have been hoping and praying for this day for years! We always had a feeling it would be you, and now it's true!

We welcome you with open arms Southwest! Thank you! Thank you! Thank You!

Kelly Zarda — Fri, 10/30/2009 - 10:56

The people in Mobile missed the boat on this move. Instead of geting SWA in our town or P'Cola, it went to St. Joe. Now we have a choice of which 3 to 4 hour trip to make. West to MSY (3 hrs), North to B'ham 4 (hrs), and now East to St. Joe (3 hrs). Thanks SWA!!!

P.S.

I am happy, however, to see that you are expanding and hope to land a contract with you someday to move in closer to the Mobile area to save us some much needed time and money.

Anonymous — Mon, 11/02/2009 - 15:25

rd
looking forward to swa's service to panama city. really hope one of the routes is from panama city to bwi. with all the military in this area and with all the defense contractors it seems to me that it would be a busy run. also, it would connect me to family.

rastadoc — Sat, 11/07/2009 - 17:32

Thats great news about Panama City but what about Mobile to Chicago? There are no direct flights!

Anonymous — Sat, 11/07/2009 - 19:14

We have waited for this for more then 30 years. Thanks Southwest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BeachLady — Sun, 11/08/2009 - 13:36

Dear SWA,
BRAVO! on the new Panama city service.

Please make Raleigh /Durham one of the 4 cities...it would also provide some feed from the NE ....plz consider RDU to PFN as one of the 4 routes. thanks.

Anonymous — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 00:52

I am thrilled to hear about SW arriving in the Panama City, FL area! We have waited way too long for SW to arrive and help keep the fares down in that area. I hope SW has non-stop flights from BWI to Panama City, FL! My family lives in eastern Alabama, so if SW could arrive in the Columbus, GA; Atlanta, GA; or Montgomery, AL areas, I would be really pleased.

Cheryl Oliver - Loyal SW Customer — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 08:41

My girl friends and I just returned from Florida's gulf coast ( a 14-hour drive). We are so excited about the plan for a new Southwest destination "Panama City". It is only going to be a 1.5-hour drive from Panama City to our favorite beach hideaway.
Thank you Southwest!
Kay

KayGeorgetownKY — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 09:59

I have been a SWA flyer for over 30 years and at this point in my life I am living in Panama City Beach, FL.....this is indeed wonderful news and now I can put my frequent flyer card to use again. Hopefully, this new service will include a direct flight to Ft. Lauderdale International; Nashville, TN and New Orleans....this would be the ultimate but more importantly thanks SWA for choosing Panama City Beach's new International Airport as one of your destimations.....Happy Flying!

Anonymous — Wed, 11/11/2009 - 10:29

I agree with Tom's comment above that AA bought TWA just to use the people in STL and bolster it's Chicago hub. Bill, if there is an opportunity for Southwest to grow, it's at STL. It is now the ONLY one of the top 20 largest US metro areas without a hub, save for a few cities in the geographical corners of the US, where a hub doesn't make sense. I hope Southwest considers adding STL>IND, STL>LGA, STL>SAN, STL>AUS, STL>SFO (and/or STL>OAK). Also, a personal favorite of mine: please consider adding a second daily nonstop on your STL>RSW route. AA is about to end its non-stop service on that route, and the only other airline with nonstop service on that route, USA3000, has been pulling back service on all its routes (including STL>RSW) in order to serve more cities with a thinner schedule. I don't think there is a bigger example of an airline being literally hated by millions of local residents as you have with the hatred of AA by St. Louisans. AA came into STL when they bought TWA and promised us they'd preserve the hub. They lied to us, and immediately began dismantling the hub. Had they not had problems with their first try at shifting flights from STL to ORD (due to the traffic problems at ORD at the time...since then, traffic at ORD has fallen), AA would have shut down its hub at STL even sooner. Bottom line, at STL there is a large, loyal customer base in the largest metro area in the geographic center of the US that is simply ripe for the picking! I love LUV!!!

Scott D — Wed, 11/11/2009 - 12:10

Hope you'll fly from Chicago to Panama City. We fly SWA from Midway to Las Vegas and Orlando regularly & would love to add the Panhandle!
Thanks

Anonymous — Wed, 11/11/2009 - 13:33

Thanks to Southwest for coming to Panama City, but in all honesty, there are about 10 - 15 commercial flights out of PFN. There is one airline ( Delta, and Northwest... which is now Delta as well). Northwest only has about 2 or 3 of those fights per day. There are currently 6 or 8 gates at the current airport and only 2 are used. US Air showed up for a second time not too long ago to take some business from DL, they only lasted a couple of months before they packed up and left again. Panama City is a cash cow for about 2 months out of the year (Spring Break) so I would guess the high fares are to make up for the rest of the year. I don't know why we need that giant new airport, but as the blog mentioned earlier, the operative word in all of this is "St. Joe". They run everything. And those of you complaining about Tallahassee service, the new airport is about halfway there anyway. The new airport is in the middle of nowhere and will double, if not triple, the time it takes most people to get to the airport. I admit, Delta's fares for PFN are astronomical, so hopefully Southwest will help with this. I am skeptical though. Panama City has to pay for that big brand new airport and I can't help but to think that they will jack fees, taxes, and other airline expenses which will in turn keep the PFN fares rather high. But, maybe St. Joe will continue it's influence in this adventure and absorb some of those expenses. Whatever happens, I'm glad DL wont have the monopoly in Panama City and a little competition is good for the consumer. Good luck Southwest!

druhms — Wed, 11/11/2009 - 14:05

thank you, thank you, thank you. I see a lot of sand and sea in my near future. I;ve been doing the happy dance. sister in law lives in mexico beach and will be so easy to go down and use her beach house..........YEAH

tim's mom — Thu, 11/12/2009 - 00:04

I am hopping up and down anxiously waiting to find out where the new flights from Panama City will go. Ever since I moved 30 miles north of PC a few years ago, I have felt like I have been out of touch with the world. I can't wait to get out of town! My vote is for Nashville, New York, a midwest and a west coast destination. I am thrilled at the thought of seeing my family and friends again.

Anonymous — Sun, 11/15/2009 - 18:57

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