Southwest Airlines Submits Application To Dot For Daily Nonstop Service Between Washington National Airport And Las Vegas

• New nonstop service would provide lower fares and more competition in the DCA to LAS market and the DCA to SMF market
• Around 50% of the public comments to the DOT docket are from airline consumers who have expressed their support for Southwest's application

DALLAS - Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today submitted its response to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeking new, daily nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS). In addition to numerous letters from political, community, and business leaders, more than half of the public comments filed with the DOT so far are in favor of Southwest's application.

Southwest is vying for one of five new round-trip flights made available at DCA through the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. Southwest has worked closely with the Clark County Department of Aviation, the owner/operator of LAS.

Almost 15,000 U.S. travelers have registered their support for Southwest's application. Airline consumers and members of the community can join the growing list by urging the DOT to approve Southwest's application at swa.is/DCALAS.

The DCA to LAS route is underserved with only one nonstop flight per day operated by another airline. If DOT awards a pair of slots at DCA to Southwest, the Texas-based airline will provide the first ever head-to-head competition in the DCA-LAS nonstop market. Southwest has demonstrated throughout its 53-year history that new low-cost airline competition will stimulate lower average fares and more passenger traffic and economic growth. The route would provide consumers with more options for travel across the western United States, including in Nevada, California, and Hawaii.

Southwest's application also proposes to provide the only one-stop, same-plane/no change service between DCA and Sacramento International Airport (SMF) via LAS. The direct flight between California's capital and the nation's capital would maximize the competitive and consumer benefits of the DCA route. Today, no nonstop or direct service exists between DCA and SMF.

"Travel and tourism are central to Nevada's economy-sustaining hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, bringing millions in economic development, and supporting our small businesses," said U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen. "By increasing the number of flights to Las Vegas from around the country, it will create more opportunities for visitors to come to our state and help bolster our local economy."

"We have seen a great deal of enthusiasm from our local elected leaders, national unions, utility companies, and the business community in support of this proposed route," said Rosemary Vassiliadis, Clark County Director of Aviation. "Providing this much-needed service between the nation's capital and the sports and entertainment capital of the world will open up new opportunities for business and leisure travelers by enhancing competition, expanding access and decreasing ticket prices."

"The DCA to LAS route delivers what's most important to Customers-choice and flexibility," said Brook Sorem, Vice President of Network Planning at Southwest Airlines. "We believe more Customers will benefit from lower fares while enjoying the airline that offers legendary Hospitality and unrivaled flexibility."

About Southwest Airlines Co.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports¹ across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United Statesthan any other airline². Based in Dallasand famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its more than 74,000³ People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 137 million Customers carried in 2023. That formula for success has brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years⁴ of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. As the airline with Heart, Southwest has set a goal to work toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050⁵. Southwest has also set near-term targets and a three-pillar strategy to achieve its environmental goals. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/planet.

1. Effective Aug. 5, 2024, the airline will serve 117 airports.
2. Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey since Q1 2021
3. Fulltime-equivalent active Employees
4. 1973-2019 annual profitability
   
5. Southwest's net zero by 2050 goal includes Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 Category 3 emissions only and excludes any emissions associated with non-fuel products and services, such as inflight service items.

Media Contacts:
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