Southwest Airlines Shows Its Love To The Show-Me-State: Unveils Missouri One

Airline honors Missouri with specialty aircraft and dedicated fare sale

Southwest Airlines® (NYSE: LUV) today celebrates more than 30 years of service in the state of Missouri with the unveiling of the Airline's newest specialty aircraft, named Missouri One—a Boeing 737-700.

Southwest and state and local government leaders revealed the aircraft in Kansas City, where Southwest first began its Missouri service in 1982. The aircraft, emblazoned with an artist's rendition of the Missouri state flag, was unveiled at a ceremony this morning at the Kansas City location of Aviation Technical Services, with whom Southwest has partnered for more than 35 years. Southwest Employees, community members, and executives were on hand, including Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO Gary Kelly.

"Kansas City and St. Louis have been vital cities in our network for more than 30 years," Kelly said to an enthusiastic crowd at the unveiling.  "I couldn't think of a better way to 'show' our love to our Employees, Customers, and friends in the great state of Missouri than by dedicating this high-flying salute to them!"

Further demonstrating Southwest's dedication to both the Kansas City and St. Louis communities, Southwest donated $5,000 each to Science City at Union Station and the St. Louis Science Center. The funds will help support Science City's Summer Camp, which sparks interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) for children ages 6-12 through interactive, challenging, and fun activities, and contribute toward scholarships for the St. Louis Science Center's Flight Academy Camp. 

"We've always valued the enduring partnership between the state of Missouri and Southwest Airlines," said Governor Jay Nixon. "As a tribute to 30 years of quality service by Southwest and Missouri's proud aerospace legacy, this magnificent plane will showcase the Show-Me State's aerospace strength around the world."     

Kansas City band Lost Wax performed as attendees enjoyed local coffee from The Roasterie Coffee Company, and cheered as Kelly, Governor Nixon, and Kansas City Mayor Sly James closed the event by christening the aircraft amid fanfare. The plane then proceeded to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport for additional festivities, featuring Mayor Francis Slay.

In celebration of Missouri One, Southwest today launched a special three-day fare sale with fares as low as $59* one-way from both Kansas City and St. Louis to select destinations nationwide (see fare rules below). These low fares are available for purchase only at Southwest.com, Swabiz.com, or by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA, today through April 17, 2015, 11:59 p.m. PT for travel Aug. 25 through Oct. 28, 2015.  Some blackout dates apply. See fare rules below for details.

Fare Examples: 

Kansas City to St. Louis as low as $59 one-way

St. Louis to New Orleans as low as $99 one-way

Kansas City to Dallas (Love Field) as low as $69 one-way

St. Louis to Atlanta as low as $99 one-way

Kansas City to New York (LaGuardia) as low as $109 one-way

Kansas City to Phoenix as low as $144 one-way

St. Louis to San Francisco Bay Area (SFO) as low as $154 one-way

Southwest Airlines began service in Kansas City on Feb. 18, 1982, with six daily nonstop departures to two cities. The airline currently operates 68 daily nonstop departures to 26 destinations from Kansas City. Southwest began service in St. Louis on March 17, 1985, with 17 daily nonstop departures to four cities. The airline currently operates 88 daily nonstop flights to 34 destinations from St. Louis.

Kansas City International Airport is Southwest's 17th largest operation in terms of daily departures. Lambert International Airport is Southwest's 13th largest operation in terms of daily departures. Combining these stations, Missouri represents the 9th largest state in the Southwest network in terms of daily departures. Together, Southwest employs more than 550 people in Missouri.

Missouri One joins nine 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), Maryland One, Nevada One, and New Mexico One.

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