DALLAS, Feb. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today its intention to begin shipping cargo to select international destinations beginning in May 2018, subject to requisite government approvals. The first international destinations Southwest Airlines Cargo® expects to serve are Mexico City, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta with more international destinations planned for 2018.

"By offering the cross-border services that our Customers are looking for, we're able to help meet the needs of businesses throughout the United States and, soon, in Mexico," said Matt Buckley, Southwest Airlines' Vice President of Cargo and Charters. "As we enter the international cargo market for the first time, Customers will have more opportunities to experience the friendly and reliable service for which our Cargo Team is known."

New Suite of Services

The new international shipping options are made possible in part due to the rollout of Southwest Cargo's new point-of-sale and back office accounting system, Southwest Cargo Suite (SCS).  SCS is expected to take the place of the current system in March 2018, and along with international capabilities, give Customers the ability to make advanced cargo bookings, and utilize electronic Air Waybills.

Southwest Cargo Adds to Trophy Case

Also today, Southwest Cargo was honored by winning one of the air cargo industry's most prestigious awards. It earned the Airforwarders Association's Domestic Carrier of the Year award. This is the ninth consecutive year the carrier has earned the honor.

To learn more about Southwest Cargo or how you can become a known shipper, visit swacargo.com.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CARGO

Southwest Airlines' relentlessly-reliable Employees offer Cargo Customers award winning air cargo service to destinations across the map. With our extensive domestic network and over 3,900 flights a day, Southwest Cargo has the flights you need to meet your shipping requirements. In May 2018, the carrier intends to begin shipping to select international destinations, subject to government approvals. Learn more about how Southwest Cargo can help you with your shipping needs by visiting swacargo.com.

For broadcast quality videos and downloadable photos of the Southwest Airlines Cargo Team in action, please visit the Southwest Airlines Newsroom.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 47th 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 56,000 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 100 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries.

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, all of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi. 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.

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

Visit the Southwest Newsroom at swamedia.com for multi-media assets and other Company news.

 

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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.