SWA TO BOSTON: WE’RE GOING WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS OUR NAME!

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SWA TO BOSTON: WE’RE GOING WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS OUR NAME!

Thu, 02/19/2009 - 06:32 — Bill Owen

Queue the background sounds of the teletype, and then in your best "newsman voice" read the copy:

THIS JUST IN: SOUTHWEST PLANS TO START SERVICE TO BOSTON LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LATER THIS YEAR!

It’s true! We intend to add a third new city to our expanding route network in 2009, and this time it's Boston!

Of course….calling Boston a "new" city for Southwest is a little misleading. It certainly will be a new airport—but Southwest has actually served the Boston area for over a decade. We started with service to Providence, Rhode Island, in October 1996, and expanded our coverage of the metropolitan Boston area less than two years later by adding service to Manchester, New Hampshire, in the summer of 1998. We now have nearly 60 daily departures from the Boston area to nonstop destinations all over our network, with direct and connecting service to darn near every airport we serve. Our arrival in Boston later this year will complement that service so that travelers have several ways to choose Southwest from their favorite New England airport.

This isn’t news, of course, but Boston has always been dear to our heart—we’ve been affiliated with the Boston Celtics for many years, so you guys KNOW us! So when we finally land at Logan—it’s going to be like the many scenes from the iconic sitcom set in Boston, “Cheers” when Norm walks into the bar. When we start serving Logan—we’re thinking everyone will shout “HELLO, SOUTHWEST!”

Even with the addition of a third new city, we still plan to rein in our usual aggressive growth this year. We’re able to capture new business in new Southwest markets by use of our schedule optimizer, which gives us the ability to develop schedules that improve our product and yet stay nimble and able to respond to market changes.

We’ll announce where we’ll fly from Logan, and all of the other cool details, later. But for now—thanks for your support, and we’re working hard to make our network EVER more efficient to get y’all from where you are to where you want to be—and back!

Be sure and listen to the newest Red Belly Radio episode about our new Boston service.

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Comments

Exciting news!

Drew — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 06:38

Well i'm excited we have to go where the customers are......This announcment proves that our leaders have the vision to protect our airlines....

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 07:26

non-stop bna to boston.........yes

RICKEY MATTHEWS — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 08:39

HOOORAY! Thank you southwest! Welcome to Beantown!

Mia — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 09:17

I would love to see PIT-BOS. The O&D is about 765 Pax/day. The PIT-BOS market is served by Jetblue which is very weak in PIT and US who is hasn't seen a route from PIT that they couldn't downsize or drop. IMHO If WN would throw 4x daily on the route, Jetblue would be gone and US would quickly downgrade to 50 seat RJ's.

Perhaps WN could provide one stop service for BOS pax through PIT to STL (one stop PIT-DAL), or BNA (one stop PIT-HOU), or HOU or Florida.

myadvice — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 09:29

So exciting! Thanks Bill for the great post!

Christi Day — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 09:29

Wow, I can't wait! I'm wishing that you will fly to Oakland, Ca!!
Luv, your airline.

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 09:30

Does this signal expected growth in New England flights or a drop-off in service at Manchester and Providence? Or both?

MHT Flyer — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 09:46

Hey, Southwest Airlines -

Welcome to Boston. However, could you change the spelling of the word "reign" to the correct word "rein"?

"we still plan to reign in our usual aggressive growth"

We proper Bostonians prefer proper spellings!

spinotter

spinotter — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 09:55

Wonderful and unexpected news! Great for those of us in Bean-town.... Your post mentions a schedule optimizer - interesting - why did Boston suddenly appear great? A friend of mine who lives around here, has been saying she'd love to fly SWA to HRL - but didn't want to take the train to Providence, well great news!

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 10:01

As with LGA, I hope that Southwest is not getting away from its roots of fast, cheap, friendly service. I believe that BOS and LGA will slow down operations because they are big, slow, inefficient airports. I will sit back and watch, hopefully nothing will change. Go Southwest!

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 10:37

Great news!

How about a BOS-STL non-stop?

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 10:41

Congrats on the new city.

BNA-BOS, please.

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 10:54

Let the fare wares begin --- between JetBlue, AirTran, all the regulars, and the new additions of SouthWest and Virgin, will there be anywhere us Bostonians CAN'T fly? I have quite a few weddings coming up, so i'm certainly thankful for the plethora of options!

Casey — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 10:59

Please compete with the BOS-PHL route. I'm tired of $1000 direct round trip flights from here. You could charge $300 and make a healthy profit.

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 11:01

Go Southwest !!!
We have been waiting for this. Please include BNA-BOS.
When can I book it??!!

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 12:28

Love Field to Boston please!

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 12:31

spinotter,
It is obvious proper Bostonians have great eyes. Thanks for catching that.
Brian

Brian Lusk — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 12:49

I have relatives in Wichita and I live in Dallas and I go up there a lot. You can't imagine how many people have started driving up there because of the super high fares that American charges out of DFW on that route. I sure wish SWA would start an ICT-DAL route because I think it would knock the socks off of AA!

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 13:02

I have been using Southwest out of Green airport in R.I. since you came here . I hope you will continue to fly out of RI. Southwest is the only carrier I use.
Thank-you
BAHarris

ba harris — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 13:03

My guess is they will be flying to BWI and MDW from BOS to test the market. Southwest has almost always started a city by doing a couple short-haul flights to hubs. (They only go to MDW from MSP.) If there is enough depand, they will expand.

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 13:10

YES! We have all been waiting for Southwest to come to Boston:-D
SWA#1

Zackary Coro — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 13:32

spinotter,

Mea culpa....we Texans don't speak no good English.... *grin*

Bill Owen — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 14:28

I think its fabulous news to hear. WN will looking for 12 dailies roundtrip, am I correct? I am feels concerns about WN will have begin service from BOS-MDW/BWI/PHL for beginning in the fall 2009. After that WN will continues to expand more potentially new route from BOS-MCO/FLL/PBI/TPA/JAX/PHX/LAS/BNA/HOU/MSY. It would be enough more capacity growth in BOS. I'll guarantee do that where WN will considers to have continues more new cities coming soon.

Scott Weinberg — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 14:48

This is the best news. I faithfully fly Southwest from MHT-TPA. Im moving to Boston shortly and this was a nice surprise....hopefully you will fly to TPA! Thanks and Keep up the great work.

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 15:31

Please please please tell me that Atlanta is next on your list!!!! I traveled to Orange County from Atlanta recently with a colleague. We both talked about wanting to stop by the SWA counter just to say hi since we don't get to fly with y'all anymore.

Please come to Atlanta soon - Delta is sucking the life out of the customer service expectations one dissatisfied customer at a time down here.

FH Alexander — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 15:47

Not just yet where WN will looking for serves into ATL. I think that mean it was still rumors for quite of the time. I would likely to begin where WN will be next announce new cities. I think WN will expect to begin potential service to ATL anytime soon. If they have enough more gate space available. I'll guarantee where ATL hub is very extremely overcrowded both Delta & AirTran.

Scott Weinberg — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 16:05

I agree with a nonstop in both direction from BOS to STL .

Have you determine which month in the fall you will start the service. I can hardly wait to plan trips from STL to BOS

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 16:42

Hey, how about a non-stop from Boston to LA???? Can't do it out of Providence because the runways are too short. Now, there's no excuse.

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 17:00

I AM NOT FLY TO LOGAN BECAUSE I DO NOT LIKE LOGAN BUT I WILL KEEP FLY TO MANCHESTER IT MUCH EASIER FOR ME THAT S WHY I NOT FLY TO LOGAN

MIKE THORN — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 18:25

It would be great if you would service Boston to Palm Beach and/or New Orleans! SWA is the best!

Anonymous — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 18:52

Great to see you adding Boston - now I can chose from MHT or BOS and get almost everywhere I need to be. Almost.

Now if you would just add Atlanta - the place my family travels to/from most often - your network (in my book) would be complete!

Shari — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 19:45

Yeah! So excited to see that SWA will start service to Boston. I am assuming that there will be some non stop flights between BOS and MDW. As a former Bostonian living near MDW, I am excited to use your service. Can go visit family more often!! I love SWA!!!!!

KS — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 23:24

When will you come to Des Moines Iowa ??? we need you here !!! would be better
if you came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but Des Moines would do also !!!
Love your service, will be using the new service out of Minneapolis/St Paul next month.
Thanks !!!

Anonymous — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 07:41

Hey Bill:

Good post and exciting news! Norfolk raises it's hand.
ORF-BOS 123 PDEW
33.69 yield/cpm
Overpriced.
Underserved.
Unstimulated.
Lotsa Pax Leaking Away.
Send Help.

(this is like a message in a bottle!)

Charlie Braden

Charlie Braden — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 09:41

Southwest competitors beware: The Boston Fee Party is OVER!!! Southwest Airlines is coming to town! Low Fares. No Hidden Fees.

Brady — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 10:44

Super exciting news!!

My seatback and tray are in the upright position, and I'm ready to go!

Tim C — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 14:37

Your announcement made my day--really! Here's to Southwest's Beantown express!

Diane — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 15:23

I agree with expanding service at PBI

Anonymous — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 16:07

I hope they don't eliminate flights from Manchester. I love flying out of Manchester even though I'm closer to Boston. Much much easier! Please don't eliminate Florida flights from MHT!

Anonymous — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 16:20

WOO HOO! This news just made me VERY happy! Way to go SWA.

Fran pangakis — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 17:50

This is such exciting news to start off the weekend! PLEASE do a PHL-BOS route!!
Way to go Southwest- UR the Best!

RSL — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 18:28

Finally! I am so happy this is finally happening!

Edward — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 18:59

How about some non stop flights to Fort Myers for all the Red Sox fans! Neither Manchester or Providence does non stop.

John Damaso — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 20:30

I am so proud to work for a company in todays economic times that see into the future enough to move forward. SWA Rocks!!!!!1

Anonymous — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 20:41

Good to hear! Hope some amazing prices come attached to these flights!

hattrick — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 21:36

Good to hear! Hope some cheap prices come with this.

Anonymous — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 21:37

bos to bna cant wait every fri

Anonymous — Sat, 02/21/2009 - 14:35

Thats awesome news that Southwest will fly into BOS. I have lots of family there.
Please consider BOS-BNA and BOS-MSY.

Anonymous — Sat, 02/21/2009 - 14:44

BOO!!!! All WN will do is cause chaos at Logan. All your going to do is cause chaos to the many travelers. Please don't go to Florida. That is already a competitive market with DL and B6, even Spirit and somehow AA are in this. That would make it worse. There may be a short supply of room (only 4 gates)...You're going down WN!

Anonymous — Sat, 02/21/2009 - 19:21

Hey SWA fly BOS TO ORF NONSTOP

Anonymous — Sat, 02/21/2009 - 22:12

Welcome to Boston Logan Southwest!!!
This is Awesome News!!!

Please consider adding BOS-FLL nonstop

Anonymous — Sat, 02/21/2009 - 22:17

Thanks for the good news. I now have to fly nonstop to BOS from ORD and I hate it. Please let a new route be MDW-BOS nonstop! I would fly everywhere on Southwest from MDW if I could.

Anonymous — Sat, 02/21/2009 - 22:58

BOS-DTW!!!! We've been waiting for an option to Northwest's ridiculous fares.

MEB — Sun, 02/22/2009 - 10:46

FABULOUS NEWS we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of a pleasant commuting method for many Long Island folks from ISLIP AIRPORT who have students attending colleges in Boston or family or just want to see a ball game and enjoy what the city has to offer. Of course it also works in reverse. Long Island has many beautiful areas for visitors to enjoy. WHAT A SMART COMPANY DECISION!

Nellie Evans — Sun, 02/22/2009 - 11:53

I am very excited about SWA coming to Boston! It will certainly provide travelers with more options. I hope to see a purchase of one of the Shuttles from either US Airways or Delta since SWA is opening up LGA very soon too. Maybe that is in the plan? The DCA shuttle part will have to wait.
Also, Logan is a great city for SWA to code share with an international airline partner.

I must comment on the posting above that states that SWA will cause chaos. Chaos???? I am not sure how? Competition is always good and brings with it lower affordable fares. Who wouldn't want that? The only "chaos" I could see it causing is nervousness from employees of other airlines worried that they will lose Customers to SWA. It sounds like the blog poster (anonymous, Sat. 2/21/09) works for an airline in Boston otherwise he would love the option of paying lower fares. The first sign of nervousness is becoming defensive. Saying, " You're going down WN" is being on the defense.
I cannot see how SWA's move into Boston will make things "worse". Even adding flights to Florida is a good thing for everyone.
I am sure Massport has already offered ample space and gates for SWA's service. Who knows, another "big airline" at Logan (who is currently losing money) may have already worked a deal out to sell gates to SWA but not told their own employees yet. Even if there are only 4 gates available (not true) SWA is so good at turning planes quickly (20 minutes but have perfected the 10 minute turn) they could operate out of just 2 gates and still crank out 6 flights every hour. Imagine it with 4 gates! SWA employees love their jobs and it shows in the hussling and quality of service you get when you fly.
I believe other airline employees would love the added flights because it means they have other options to non-rev if their airline's flights are full.

KenjiBob — Sun, 02/22/2009 - 12:22

Please add non-stop service to Dallas! American flys those ancient MD80's and they are always packed and make for a generally miserable journey.

Anonymous — Sun, 02/22/2009 - 12:41

Whoo hoo! This is great news! Way to go SouthWest! I love you!

Anonymous — Sun, 02/22/2009 - 15:08

It would be great if you flew BWI to Bos. I fly into Logan to fly to Upstate NY and only place to get plane for SLK is BOS. This would help greatly

jimmy — Sun, 02/22/2009 - 15:24

First place I look,when I fly...have gladly made the hour drive to Manchester AND Providence and look forward to much less driving! Would love to join the family...how do we sign up to work for SWA at Logan?

Jen R — Sun, 02/22/2009 - 17:03

WOW Boston I am shocked since you guys are the largest carrier out of MHT and Green Airport I would have never thought of Logan I hope that you keep IAD in mind for Non stop service so Jetblue will be Affected and have to cut back they are the worst airline ever. I also hope for future new citites maybe Portland Maine, Des Moines Iowaare on the list. Also Pensacola and Scranton Pa. Scranton has a brand new airport terminal and starting a low fare airline in a growing market like Scranton will be a big thing for the economy. Flying non stop to Pittsburgh and Chicago. hope to see that I would be really happy and I would so fly Southwest to Des Moines a lot too and the fare on United to DES is around 510.00 I bet Southwest could it for around 250.00 and be way better.

Lasvegaspalms — Sun, 02/22/2009 - 17:52

HEY BOO HOO SMART GUY SWA dominats any market they enter look at denver, las vegas,orlando, phl,lax, and even sfo. Stop booing and feel the love SWA LOVE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM EXPANDING TO CANADA AND BEYOND. GO SWA

flyswa2anywhere — Sun, 02/22/2009 - 21:23

I agree with BNA-BOS just as long as we don't have to sacrifice a current city to get it(If we would have to sacrifice I'd rather have the BWI connection like I've suggested for LGA). I'd also like to second everyone who mentioned ATL, throw CLT out there again, suggest BNA-PIT & IND again, and say one more time that I hope when Mexico and Canada start soon that we don't have to make two connections or fly in the opposite direction of either one of those countries to get there.

BNA — Mon, 02/23/2009 - 21:01

i sure hope this will allow a job opening! Southwest you rock and even though this may be just a 2 gate area i guarantee this will be a great success!

Ryan — Mon, 02/23/2009 - 22:02

A LOOOOOOOOOOOONG time coming!!! Finally SWA in BOS! Hope u are going to 2 have San Diego on that fall opening schedule, I have a my first granbaby coming in October and want to REALLY feel the LUV when I travel to there in the fall! Keep up the good work SWA and make ATL your next new opening market!!

U GO SWA! — Tue, 02/24/2009 - 07:47

I was expecting to hear ATL, but BOS is a huge surprise. Way to keep me on my toes, Southwest~

Anonymous — Tue, 02/24/2009 - 21:51

Yes, this is great. SOuthwest has made a great move to Boston. So many people have asked that Southwest fly into Boston, and now its going to happen. This is going to be a huge boost to the airline

Southwest125 — Wed, 02/25/2009 - 08:39

Good Luck Southwest Airlines. Its time to kick some AA, DL and US butt in Beantown

ljp80us — Wed, 02/25/2009 - 14:04

BOS to PHL!!! BOS to PHL!!! BOS to PHL!!!

Keep up the great service!

Anonymous — Wed, 02/25/2009 - 18:44

Hopefully this will mean service to Dulles(IAD) from the area, If you are going to Northern Virginia BWI is hard to get to given the traffic problems in the area, yes please fly from Boston to Philly as there has been less competition which has lead to rising prices.

Evan — Thu, 02/26/2009 - 17:55

I luv the new service. I think the next three markets should be ATL, CLT, and CVG. All are need here to with the super awesome fairs you guys give us.

Anonymous — Sat, 02/28/2009 - 01:36

no no no WE NEED DES MOINES and Portland Maine and Charlotte service first before ATLANTA on Southwest,.....

Anonymous — Wed, 03/04/2009 - 19:04

I agree with the strangely high number of earlier posts suggesting a BOS-BNA nonstop!

Brian in BNA — Tue, 03/10/2009 - 19:50

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please start with Boston to Love.....PLEASE????

Anonymous — Fri, 03/13/2009 - 14:33

WE NEED CLT service especially to Las Vegas non stop and Austin. Also would love to see Portland Maine, Des Moines Iowa, Scranton PA, Pensacola Fl would be a good start I do not know why MSP though can not even go to Phl non stop on Southwest I have to fly NWA... Can anyone explain MSP service?

Southwest needs CLT — Sat, 03/14/2009 - 05:56

we need IAD-BOS Southwest service and put jetblue out and that would be great.

go red soxs — Sat, 03/14/2009 - 16:08

BOS to PHL!!!! PLEASE!!! I will take it at least twice a month if you do.

Anonymous — Wed, 03/25/2009 - 13:44

So excited Southwest is coming to BOS. I vote (although I'm pretty sure that's not how this works) direct to DEN and AUS!!

Irene — Thu, 03/26/2009 - 08:15

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