DALLAS, Feb. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today celebrates more than 30 years of service in the state of Tennessee with the unveiling of the airline's newest specialty aircraft—Tennessee One—a Boeing 737-700, emblazoned with an artist's rendition of the Tennessee State flag.
In true Music City fashion, Southwest honored Nashville Employees and Customers with live music performances by Republic Nashville Recording Artist, A Thousand Horses, and Columbia Recording Artist, Maren Morris, celebrating with community members, partners, and state and local government officials.
"Southwest has been in love with the state of Tennessee for 30 years," said Gary Kelly, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Airlines. "What better way to pronounce our ongoing affection than by honoring the state with Tennessee One—our version of a love song dedicated to our Customers and Employees, who have been so good to Southwest all these years. This one is for YOU!"
Southwest continued the celebration, boarding Tennessee One with Employees, Customers, and community members to take flight from Nashville to Memphis, Tenn. During the flight, the beat continued as guests were entertained with a surprise Live at 35® inflight performance by Tennessee native and RCA Records Nashville Recording Artist, Chris Young, along with Republic Nashville Recording Artist, Cassadee Pope. The pair, who have been on the road for Young's I'm Comin' Over Tour, treated Customers to an acoustic version of their duet, "Think Of You." The flight arrived to Memphis with a water arch salute and a fanfare welcome by Memphis Employees, airport leadership, community members, and local and state officials, with a special performance by Memphis favorite, Ghost Town Blues Band.
"When we began serving Memphis in 2013, we ushered in a new era of low-cost air travel," said Trevor Stedke, Vice President Technical Services of Southwest Airlines. "This approach to air travel has helped us flourish but we would not be here without the support of our Tennessee Customers and Employees. We're proud to honor them with this dedicated aircraft."
In celebration of Tennessee One, Southwest today launched a special fare sale with fares as low as $69 one-way from Nashville and as low as $64 one-way from Memphis to the following destinations (see fare rules below):
Memphis to Houston as low as $64 one-way
Memphis to Dallas as low as $64 one-way
Nashville to Columbus as low as $69 one-way
Nashville to Cleveland as low as $69 one-way
Nashville to Panama City Beach as low as $69 one-way
Nashville to Pittsburgh as low as $69 one-way
Nashville to Pensacola as low as $69 one-way
Nashville to St. Louis as low as $69 one-way
These fares are available for purchase at Southwest.com or by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA today through Mar. 3, 2016, 11:59 p.m. for the respective time zone of the originating city, for domestic travel Mar. 8 through June 15, 2016. Seats and days are limited. Blackout dates apply. See fare rules below for details.
Southwest Airlines began service in Nashville on Mar. 18, 1986, with eight nonstop departures to two cities. The airline currently operates more than 80 daily nonstop departures to 33 destinations from Nashville. Southwest began service in Memphis on Nov. 3, 2013, with six nonstop departures to five cities. The airline currently operates nine daily nonstop flights to six destinations from Memphis.
Tennessee One joins ten other 737s in the Southwest fleet that carry unique, state-themed paint schemes: Arizona One, California One, Colorado One, Florida One, Illinois One, Lone Star One (Texas), MarylandOne, Missouri One, Nevada One, and New Mexico One.
For access to Tennessee One footage and imagery, visit www.swamedia.com.
FARE TERMS & CONDITIONS
A 14-day advance purchase is required. Purchase between Feb. 22 and Mar. 3, 2016, 11:59 p.m. in the respective time zone of the originating city. Domestic travel is valid from Mar. 8 through June 15, 2016. Domestic travel is not available May 26 through May 27, and May 30, 2016. Domestic travel is valid only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Travel to/from Florida is valid only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Fares valid only on domestic, nonstop service. Displayed prices include all U.S. and international government taxes and fees. Rapid Rewards® Points bookings do not include taxes, fees, or other government/airport charges of at least $5.60 per one-way flight. Fares are not available to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Seats and days are limited. Fares may vary by day of week and won't be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Travel is available for one-way Wanna Get Away® Fares. Fares may be combined with other Southwest combinable fares. If combining with other fares, the most restrictive fare rules apply. Sale fares might be available on other days of the week, but that's not guaranteed. Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied toward future travel on Southwest Airlines as long as the reservation is canceled at least ten minutes prior to the scheduled departure of the flight. Failure to cancel prior to that time will result in forfeiture of remaining funds on the reservation. Any change in an itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Standby travel requires an upgrade to the Anytime Fare. Fares are subject to change until they are ticketed. This offer only applies to published, scheduled service.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 45th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 49,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest proudly operates a network of 97 destinations across the United States and seven additional countries with more than 3,900 departures a day during peak travel season.
Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate connectivity. That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest created Transfarency℠, a philosophy which treats Customers honestly and fairly, and in which low fares actually stay low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free® to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some airlines may allow free checked bags on select routes or for qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply. In 2014, the airline proudly unveiled a bold new look: Heart. The new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what's important in their lives.
From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new markets. With 43 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2014 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at SouthwestOneReport.com.
Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.