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Southwest Airlines Arrives In Pensacola
November 5, 2013
Southwest Airlines launched service this weekend from Pensacola International Airport, creating more options for Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama air travelers. The conversion of the Dallas-based carrier’s service from wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways also marks the final phase in the integration of the two airlines’ domestic networks.
Southwest Airlines now offers twice daily nonstop service between Pensacola and Nashville and daily nonstop service between the airport and Houston Hobby, with additional same-plane or connecting service to nearly 70 total destinations served by Southwest Airlines’ all-Boeing 737 fleet.
On Monday the first weekday arrival of a Southwest jet was followed by a celebration and news conference in the departing gate area.
“This weekend’s conversion from AirTran to Southwest service brings bigger planes, with more than three thousand seats in and out of Northwest Florida every week,” said Bob Montgomery, Southwest Airlines vice president of Airport Affairs. “And we’re increasing by nearly half the number of places that our Pensacola Customers may travel to and from with the Southwest network. We are honored to continue the AirTran’s history of quality, low-fare service here.”
“Pensacola International Airport is one of the city’s greatest economic development engines,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. “In addition to The Airport Commerce Park ramping up, we are thrilled to welcome Southwest Airlines to Pensacola. Southwest’s presence expands Pensacola International Airport’s routes through Houston and Nashville, making Pensacola more accessible to business and tourists across the nation. Together, we are competing and winning.”
Pictured top: Southwest Airline’s first weekday flight arrives at Pensacola International Airport Monday. Pictures inset: Southwest’s terminal inside the airport. Pictured below: Water cannons welcome the flight to Pensacola. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
2 Responses to “Southwest Airlines Arrives In Pensacola”
Hopefully more routes will come as well, usually that comes with time. Although, by eliminating the Atlanta/Pensacola route, can see Delta increasing their fares. Pensacola needs to start pushing advertising with Southwest, getting some direct routes from the Northeast and Midwest into the airport. Living in St Louis, the general public only knows of one city in the north of Florida and that is Panama City. BIG advertising with direct flights to the beach; should be trying to obtain the same status.
I have enjoyed every flight that I have been on with Southwest. Now that they are in Pensacola maybe I’ll put the keys down and travel more by Air with Southwest again. O’ by the way I love Nashville.