In 2001, Southwest was actually searching powerful. The airline continuous growing and increased firmly while also getting ready for the future with an executive sequence program. However, subsequently arrived 9/11 together with downturn in aviation.

In 2002, expansion ended up being a tiny bit below they formerly was actually. But the company still hit a fleet number of 375 airplanes and carried over 60 million people. By 2003, the flight put its 60th resort, Philadelphia, and travelled over 65 million travelers with a fleet of 388 jets. In 2004, Southwest entered 400 planes in its collection.

In 2005, Southwest exceeded the 3,000-daily flight level and entered more than 200 day-to-day flights out of Las Vegasa€“ the airline’s premier airport during the time. Furthermore, in 2005, Southwest started a huge promotion to repeal the Wright modification and present they most versatility to fly inside and outside of Dallas-Love, the service’s earliest room. But only Missouri had been awarded an exception.

Denver (DEN) service exposed in 2006 and stays extreme base for all the flight. And, in 2006, Southwest obtained a win together with the Wright Amendment change work. Although it wasn’t a total repeal, the airline could now sell passes and gives connecting and one-stop direct routes across its entire system from Dallas-Love Airporta€“ one of the service’s most important bases. Only in 2014 is the Wright modification scrapped.

By the end of 2007, the airline have entered 88 million individuals flown in a year onboard 520 of the Boeing 737 aircraft.

At this time, Southwest is mainly a home-based service. However, their guests performed need take a trip worldwide. So, the flight got the essential permissions to make usage of a codeshare with WestJet, a Canadian airline. Continuing this vein of growth to significant , the flight extra routes to brand new York-LaGuardia.

The merger with AirTran

In , Southwest announced that it would buy all exceptional usual stalk of AirTran, hence obtaining the company. The following thirty days, Southwest established plans to provide Wi-fi onboard its fleet.

Southwest carried on to move on along with its merger with AirTran in 2011 due to the fact section of Justice (DOJ) examined the merger. The flight attained agreements using its pilots plus the Federal Aviation management (FAA) on Southwest’s transition intend to merge AirTran’s functions into unique. The acquisition closed-in 2011a€“ the same seasons Southwest celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Last year, Southwest was given approval from the section of transport (DOT) to carry out international routes. AirTran would travel to Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, and Mexico town in Mexico. The primary gateways for aircraft to Mexico could be out-of tangerine state, Ca, and San Antonio.

Modernizing the airline

Last year, Southwest became the launch consumer when it comes to Boeing 737 maximum. The airline is among the biggest clientele and operators of the plane. By the end of 2011, the carrier have 698 planes in collection along with flown over 100 million sales travelers.

On , Southwest and AirTran was given FAA endorsement for a single working certification, that was an essential part on the integration of the two airlines. Just a week later, Southwest received their very first Boeing 737-800 sugar baby uk and confirmed it well on March 21st.

Since airline analyzed their strategy ahead, the service made a decision to release AirTran’s Boeing 717s. All 88 associated with 717s are subleased to Delta Air Lines, leaving Southwest with an all-737 fleet.

Southwest’s international services happened to be via AirTran and, ahead of the airline acquired AirTran, Southwest dedicated to the residential , Southwest established the basic intercontinental service out of Baltimore, maneuvering to Aruba. Subsequently, the airline keeps extended its providers with centers around Central The usa and the Caribbean.