Southwest Airlines To Fly Nonstop Between Los Angeles (LAX) And Cancun, Los Cabos, And Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

DALLAS, Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced new international service between Los Angeles (LAX) and three airports in Mexico's coastal resort regions:  Cancun (CUN), San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos (SJD), and Puerto Vallarta (PVR). The service is scheduled to begin Dec. 4, subject to approvals of the Mexican government. In celebration of the new flights, Southwest® is offering special fares (purchase today through Aug. 21, 2016, 11:59 p.m. in the time zone of the originating city) for travel Dec. 4, 2016, through March 2, 2017. Please see below for blackout dates, valid travel days, and complete terms & conditions for fares listed in this news release.

"Southwest's approval from the DOT to operate these new routes made history as the first authorities granted in a new agreement between the U.S. and Mexico to allow more service between the countries," said Paul Cullen, Vice President and Executive Sponsor of Los Angeles for Southwest Airlines.  "We are able to do what we have done for decades in California and in cities across the country: enter a nonstop market, bring low fares with unmatched value, and connect people in a more affordable way with places that are important in their lives."

Cullen discussed the new flights with the carrier's LA Basin Customers and Employees at a Viva Mexico! party taking place today at a Southwest Beachfront Porch set-up in Santa Monica Place near the Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica Pier.  Traditional Mexican dancers commemorated news of the first Mexico service from LAX by Southwest, the largest carrier of air passengers to, from, and within the Golden State, based on the most recent data provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation.  Southwest serves ten major commercial airports in the state, five of which are in the LA Basin.

"Los Angeles and Mexico share an unbreakable bond, and today our cultural and commercial connections become even stronger," said Mayor Eric Garcetti.  "These new Southwest flights from LAX to Mexico will expand L.A.'s global reach, bring Angelenos closer to the people they love, and help our city's economy continue to grow."

Late last month, the carrier received U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approval to fly between Oakland International Airport and both Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta.  Also subject to Mexican governmental approval, this new service in Northern California would begin on Feb. 12, 2017.

Southwest already flies daily between LAX and Liberia/Guanacaste, Costa Rica, and the five new daily flights to and from Mexico will be flown in addition to the carrier's international service offered at John Wayne Airport in Orange County.  The carrier continues to plan for available seat mile (ASM) growth in the 5-6 percent range in 2016.

*FARE TERMS & CONDITIONS

Purchase Aug.18-21, 2016, 11:59 p.m. in the respective time zone of the originating city. International travel is valid Dec. 4, 2016, through March 2, 2017. Sale fares to international destinations are blacked out Dec. 24-26, 2016; sale fares from international destinations are blacked out Dec. 31, 2016 – Jan. 2, 2017. Travel to Cancun, Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta is valid only on Sundays through Wednesdays. Travel from Cancun, Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta is valid only on Tuesdays through Fridays. Fares are valid only on nonstop service. Displayed prices include all U.S. and international government taxes and fees. Points bookings do not include taxes, fees, and other government/airport charges of at least $5.60 per one way flight. Seats and days are limited. Fares may vary by destination, flight, and 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 Airlines® combinable fares. If combining with other fares, the most restrictive fare's rules apply. Sale fares may be available on other days of week, but not guaranteed. Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied toward future travel on Southwest Airlines®, so long as the reservation is canceled at least ten minutes prior to the scheduled departure of the flight. Failure to cancel prior to departure will result in forfeiture of remaining funds on the reservation. Any change in itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Standby travel requires an upgrade to the Anytime fare. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Offer applies only to published, scheduled service.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to the Company's anticipated service offerings and fares and network and capacity plans, opportunities, and expectations. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the impact of economic conditions, consumer behavior, fuel prices, actions of competitors (including without limitation pricing, scheduling, and capacity decisions and consolidation and alliance activities), and other factors beyond the Company's control, on the Company's business decisions, plans, and strategies; (ii) the impact of governmental regulations and other governmental actions related to the Company's operations; and (iii) other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2015.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 46th 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 52,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest operates more than 3,900 departures a day during peak travel season across a network of 98 destinations in the United States and seven additional countries with service to three airports in Cuba expected to begin later this year, subject to governmental approvals.

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 more than 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. The airline proudly unveiled a bold new look:  Heart.  A new logo, aircraft livery, interior design featuring a new seat and Flight Attendant galley, Employee-designed uniforms, and an updated airport experience all showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees who 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 2015 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.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.