Southwest Airlines launches service at Des Moines International Airport

DALLAS, Texas – Southwest Airlines is excited to announce that LUV has officially landed in Iowa with service at Des Moines International Airport (DSM).

DALLAS, Texas – Southwest Airlines is excited to announce that LUV has officially landed in Iowa with service at Des Moines International Airport (DSM). Dozens of Southwest Employees are on hand to celebrate the long-anticipated arrival with the Des Moines Community and great State of Iowa.

Southwest attributes its entrance into the market, officially beginning tomorrow, Sept. 30, to the roots planted by its wholly-owned subsidiary AirTran Airways. Today, AirTran serves two daily departures to Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport. Tomorrow, Southwest will take over service with two daily departures to Chicago’s Midway International Airport, connecting Iowa Customers to the airline’s largest operation in the country, with additional connecting service to more than 75 destinations.

“Our arrival in Des Moines represents one of the true benefits of our integration with AirTran Airways, allowing us to continue to bring low fares and legendary Customer Service to the People of Des Moines,” said Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President, Ron Ricks. “We’re thrilled to provide Iowa Customers access to our broad network of destinations; and just as importantly, giving better access to Iowa for our existing Customers across America. This growth is exciting for Southwest Airlines.”

With the introduction of Southwest’s larger Boeing 737 aircraft to the market, passenger seat availability will increase nearly 200 percent, up dramatically from 100 seats per day to Southwest’s availability of 274 seats per day, seven days a week. Southwest’s vast network will provide Iowans with more availability and better options.

“There is great excitement for the arrival of Southwest in Des Moines and the State of Iowa. Our passengers have sought this service for many years, and now it is a reality,” said Don Smithey, Aviation Director of the Des Moines International Airport. “They are in store for great service, to a great city, and to a great state.”

Southwest celebrated its inaugural Des Moines service today with a press conference and welcome reception at the Signature Flight Support Hangar. More than 200 Des Moines Community Members and surrounding residents joined Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to welcome the airline and its local Employees.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...