Southwest Announces Non-Stop Destinations; Flight Schedule
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Updated: 10:12 PM Dec 16, 2009
Southwest Announces Non-Stop Destinations; Flight Schedule
Non-Stop to Orlando, Nashville, Houston & Baltimore
Wednesday morning, Southwest Airlines announced its schedule with non-stop flights to four locations around the country from the new airport out in West Bay.
Posted: 10:12 PM Dec 16, 2009
Reporter: Matt de Nesnera
Email Address: matthew.denesnera@wjhg.com
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Southwest officials unveiled the new flight schedule to community leaders Wednesday. Starting May 23, you can catch a non-stop flight from Panama City Beach to Orlando, Nashville, Houston or Baltimore.

Jerry Ray, vice president of communications with the St. Joe Company, says, "That gives us connectivity to the entire country. That means, that means, that as of this schedule start, this is a national destination."

The new airport in West Bay becomes the 69th destination in Southwest's network. Airport Board chairman Joe Tannehill, Sr., says, "This whole area is going to benefit like probably nothing that's happened to this area since World War Two. This is a great day for us."

The nation's largest domestic airline is offering some introductory low rates through Friday, December 18. A trip to Orlando is priced as low as $49, while flights to Nashville and Houston are $69. If you want to go to Baltimore, that will also cost you $69.

Bob Montgomery, vice president of properties with Southwest, says, "After that, you'll find that our fares are the lowest anywhere. Expect fares to drop between 50% and 75% for restricted fares and for fully-refundable unrestricted fares. So, we will see economic benefits being brought to the region long-term."

Those destinations will connect you to up-to 58 cities across the country. Ray says, "This is why they call it the "Southwest Effect." It's because everyday people, people who are working for a living, can afford to jump on an airplane and go to Washington or to Houston."

Southwest representatives say the tough economy may actually encourage people to fill up the planes. Montgomery: "There's the argument to be made that tough times are the best times to bring in service like this. People need value."

Southwest will be bringing 2,000 seats per day on its non-stop flights. Officials say Southwest's low fares will help attract more people to the region; they believe that will benefit everybody, from business owners to people looking for a good bargain.

The "Southwest Effect may already be at work in northwest Florida. At almost the same time Southwest was unveiling its destinations Wednesday, Delta announced a flight sale from Panama City to Atlanta for just $69.

Latest Comments

Posted by: xeron Location: PCB/Orlando on Dec 18, 2009 at 11:58 PM

Amazing! As a UCF student, I won't have to drive six hours to come home to family. Fifty-six minutes one-way, and costs just as much as the fuel it takes to drive to Panama City Beach. Two years ago I was in a situation where I had to fly from Panama City to Orlando (back when there used to be direct flights). That airline ticket cost me over $230 one-way
Posted by: xeron Location: Panama on Dec 18, 2009 at 11:58 PM

Amazing! As a UCF student, I won't have to drive six hours to come home to family. Fifty-six minutes one-way, and costs just as much as the fuel it takes to drive to Panama City Beach. Two years ago I was in a situation where I had to fly from Panama City to Orlando (back when there used to be direct flights). That airline ticket cost me over $230 one-way.
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