Southwest converts AirTran operations in four cities: Charlotte, N.C.; Rochester, N.Y.; Flint, Mich.; and Portland, Maine. Company expands footprint beyond the 48 contiguous states for the first time in the carrier's history with service to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
DALLAS – Southwest Airlines launched inaugural service to five cities on Sunday, April 14, 2013 -the most cities the airline has ever opened in one day. Southwest, America’s largest airline in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, is expanding its footprint as part of the ongoing integration of its wholly-owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways.
“This milestone is historic as it marks Southwest’s first venture outside the 48 contiguous states, and it’s proof positive that our ongoing integration of AirTran remains on-track as we’re making tremendous progress,” said Southwest’s Executive Vice President, Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer Ron Ricks. “AirTran has done a wonderful job establishing a presence in these markets, and Southwest is proud to continue that legacy and extend our vast network of destinations, exceptional Customer Service, and low fares.”
As of April 14, 2013, Southwest Airlines Offers New Nonstop Service between:
- Charlotte and Baltimore/Washington, Chicago (Midway), Houston (Hobby), and Orlando
- Flint and Baltimore/Washington, Orlando, and Tampa Bay
- Portland, Maine and Baltimore/Washington
- Rochester and Baltimore/Washington, Chicago (Midway), Orlando, and Tampa Bay
- San Juan and Orlando and Tampa Bay.
AirTran ceased service in Charlotte, Flint, Portland (Maine), and Rochester on April 13, 2013. AirTran will continue to offer service between San Juan and Baltimore/Washington, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, and Atlanta. Southwest previously announced that the carrier will assume AirTran’s San Juan service to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood on Sept. 29, 2013.
Also, Pittsburgh and Houston celebrate a new direct flight operated by Southwest Airlines from Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) to William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston, which provides business travelers in the energy sector new travel options to the Energy Capital of the World.
“Travelers are now booking and flying new nonstop Houston Hobby flights on Southwest Airlines. The Houston, Texas market is vital for our business and leisure travelers and increasing the choices teamed with Southwest’s competitive fares will be a great benefit to our region,” said Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive.
“This is the first time nonstop daily Pittsburgh flights to Houston Hobby Airport have ever been offered. The new nonstop service between Pittsburgh and Houston will provide our customers convenient connecting service to/from the east, west and gulf coasts,” said David Minnotte, Chairman, Allegheny County Airport Authority.
“Customers will also experience our newly retrofitted 700-series aircraft with the Evolve interior on these routes. Southwest Airlines is building a $100 million international facility at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and will begin operating flights to Mexico, the Caribbean and other Latin American destinations in 2015,” said Mike Gillock, Pittsburgh Station Manager, Southwest Airlines.
“By welcoming new service into the Pittsburgh region, it demonstrates the value Marcellus Shale brings to the overall business climate of the region. This is yet another excellent example of the job growth natural gas development is fueling in the United States,” said Gary Smith, Executive Board Member of MSC and Vice President and General Manager, EOG Resources. EOG is one of the largest energy companies for oil and natural gas production in the country and is based in Houston.
“Our city’s second largest airport, Hobby (HOU), has been serving the Houston community for more than 80 years,” said Mario C. Diaz, Houston Airport System Director. “Located approximately seven miles south of downtown Houston, Hobby Airport is pleased to open our doors to Pittsburgh’s air travelers. Southwest Airlines continues to find new business opportunities within Houston’s thriving economy.”
The PIT-HOU schedule will include one flight daily. Monday through Friday, it will depart PIT at 11:50 a.m., arriving HOU at 2:00. p.m. Saturdays it will depart PIT at 9:15 a.m. and on Sunday depart PIT at 12:00 p.m. Returning from HOU to PIT: Sunday through Friday, the flight will depart HOU at 1:35 p.m. and arrive at PIT 5:35 p.m. Saturday, it departs HOU at 10:35 a.m. and arrives at PIT 2:29 p.m.
Southwest and AirTran Airways currently operate up to 31 combined daily flights from Pittsburgh to Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago Midway, Denver, Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix and Tampa.
The new Houston Hobby service places Pittsburgh into the new international gateway hub in Houston connecting Pittsburgh with the growing Central and South American markets. The additional Houston Hobby service adds 20 connecting markets west of the Mississippi to potential Pittsburgh itineraries. This new service includes connections to 25 daily flights between Houston Hobby and Dallas Love Field and 10 daily flights to New Orleans. Other connecting markets include Albuquerque, Austin, Corpus Christi, Denver, El Paso, Harlingen, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Little Rock, Midland, Kansas City, Oakland, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, San Diego, San Antonio, St. Louis, and Tulsa.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
