Southwest Airlines Announces $1 Million Donation Dedicated To Supporting Communities

DALLAS, Sept. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today launched a competitive grant program aimed at supporting communities across the United States where its People and Customers live, work, and play. Throughout its 47-year history, Southwest has been dedicated to championing its communities, and this million dollar grant program continues this commitment. The program is designed to support nonprofit organizations involved in three key focus areas: K-12 STEM Education (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics); building a resilient workforce; and leadership development.

"This investment today helps the leaders of tomorrow get the start they need to build a solid foundation in these important focus areas," said Bob Jordan, Southwest's Executive Vice President of Corporate Services. "Whether in the air or on the ground, Southwest is committed to giving back to communities and investing in initiatives that help empower people to get their careers ready for take-off."

The funds enabling this grant program are part of the previously-announced $5 million Southwest set aside for charitable causes as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. It will provide Southwest a unique opportunity to more deeply invest in developing the workforce of tomorrow. The grant funds will be awarded from the Southwest Airlines Foundation, a corporate advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation®.

Qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations, including K-12 schools with an aviation focus, are invited to apply through swa.is/grant. Additional information about the application process, including evaluation criteria, can also be found on the website. The application is open now and will close on Oct. 22, 2018.  Recipients will be announced in early 2019.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 48th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 57,000 Employees to a Customer base topping 120 million passengers annually, in recent years. Southwest became the nation's largest domestic air carrier in 2003 and maintains that ranking based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded. During peak travel seasons, Southwest operates more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 99 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries. Southwest has announced its intention to sell tickets in 2018 for service to Hawaii, subject to requisite governmental approvals.

Southwest coined Transfarency^® to describe its purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and fairly, and low fares actually staying 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 carriers offer free checked bags on select routes or in qualified circumstances), and there are no change fees, though fare differences might apply.

As launch customer of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 in North America, the Company operates the largest fleet in the world of Boeing aircraft. Customers who connect to the WiFi network may use their personal devices to view on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV.

With a bold new look first unveiled in 2014, Southwest is progressing through a multi-year refresh of its fleet to showcase the carrier's Heart: a new logo, aircraft livery, interior design featuring new seats, Employee-designed uniforms, and an updated airport experience, all of which showcase a 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 wherever the carrier serves. With 45 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 2017 Southwest Airlines One Report can be found at SouthwestOneReport.com.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest Airlines or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.