SWA gets FAA verbal approval to be FLAG CARRIER

[gizmo_sc]

Heard on another site that SWA has been verbally approved for flag carrier status. Written FAA approval is due in about 2 weeks. Wonder how long after that SWA will start service to SJU?

 

[QA4Jet-A]

I spoke to a pilot yesterday about that very question and he said sometime in the spring.

 

[SharoninSAT]

SWA Officially Receives International Ops Spec!

Oct. 24, 2012 at 4:00pm​

After a week of proving flights, the FAA has granted Southwest Airlines the freedom to fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and international destinations—a significant milestone in our Company’s history.​

The achievement brings us one step closer to flying our metal to San Juan and near international destinations.​

Now that we have official approval, we may have a SJU schedule very soon - possibly
as early as next week.

 

[USFlyer]

SJU is a domestic destination, so why is this needed? In case of a diversion?

 

[QA4Jet-A]

[sub]While I am not sure about what your question is asking, my best guess/answer is they used these proving runs to get over water flights. This was all done for possible future Hawaii flights. The FAA was very strict in this regard and added the usual diversion sites as would be expected. SJU would be a logical diversion airport if you couldn't make a trip to PUJ. Plus, they can begin the SJU Flights and take them away from FL and use WN metal when they are ready.[/sub]

 

[USFlyer]

The question I'm asking is this. Why did WN need to get "flag carrier" status to fly to San Juan? San Juan is a U.S. domestic destination. What prevented WN from serving SJU in years past?

 

[SharoninSAT]

The question I'm asking is this. Why did WN need to get "flag carrier" status to fly to San Juan? San Juan is a U.S. domestic destination. What prevented WN from serving SJU in years past?

My answer would be, WN was not interested or ready to pursue SJU routes
or near international destinations earlier.

 

[QA4Jet-A]

USFlyer, WN didn't need Flag Carrier status to make SJU runs but they used them to get approval for ETOPS and near- Int'l flying approval by the FAA. It's kind of like killing two birds with one stone and doing it a lot cheaper!

 

[SharoninSAT]

SWA Officially Receives International Ops Spec!

Now that we have official approval, we may have a SJU schedule very soon - possibly
as early as next week.

WN starts service to SJU!

Effective at 1000 CDT tomorrow, Thursday, November 1, Southwest will begin selling itineraries to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) with service beginning on Sunday, April 14, 2013!

 

[jimntx]

Congratulations!

 

[swamt]

Congratulations!

Sweeeeeet!!!

 

[FA Mikey]

Southwest Airlines announced Thursday that it will start service to San Juan, Puerto Rico, on April 14, 2013 – Southwest’s first destination outside the lower 48 U.S. states.
Southwest said it will have three daily round trips between San Juan and Orlando, Fla., and one daily round trip between San Juan and Tampa, Fla.

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2012/11/southwest-airlines-to-fly-to-puerto-rico-in-2013.html/