Southwest Rapid Rewards - SWA adds PDX --> AUS

Southwest Airlines will begin new, daily nonstop service between Portland, Ore. and Austin, Tex. starting June 3, 2012:

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport/nr_april_04_12.htm

Enjoy it while you can. It's seasonal service and is scheduled to be discontinued after August 11.

source (http://mobile.oregonlive.com/advorg/db_96874/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=X9VrSFUV)

Enjoy it while you can. It's seasonal service and is scheduled to be discontinued after August 11.

source (http://mobile.oregonlive.com/advorg/db_96874/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=X9VrSFUV)

Right, this is summer seasonal only and is not going for year-round long.

We'll take seasonal! This route needs a name though. It connects two of the coolest cities in the US. There's a hint of the old Nerd Bird with the tech connections, but that doesn't quite fit. Some possibilities reflecting the culture of both towns:

The Hipster Bird: Pilots would wear skinny jeans and trucker caps while F/As in vintage outfits sell $2 PBR Tallboys.

The Song Bird: PDX/AUS are both known for live music. There would be an indie rock boarding and deplaning soundtrack. Every on board announcement would end with "I'm only doing this until my band gets signed."

The Organo-yuppie Bird: This plane powered by rosemary infused artisan jet fuel locally sourced within 5 miles of the airport.

The Urban Farmer Bird: More chickens in the aisle than a central american bus.

But... is it local?

Something doesn't sound quite right here - if it were summer seasonal, why would it end August 11. Could it be a test market and if it is successful, they could extend it?

This route needs a name though.

The Flying Food Cart!

Could it be a test market and if it is successful, they could extend it?

Yes, they will extended the schedule. If those route has done extremely very well. There is no competition at all. It will becomes goes for year-round long.

Good news for both cities. SW is a leading carrier at AUS and seems committed to grow there.

PHL is the largest US city without n/s service to AUS (on US or SW) and a bigger city than PDX and closer to AUS than PDX. Here's hoping even though PHL has seen cuts, maybe SW could reinstate that flight given the strengths and westbound connections on the AUS side.

This route needs a name though. It connects two of the coolest cities in the US. There's a hint of the old Nerd Bird with the tech connections, but that doesn't quite fit. Some possibilities reflecting the culture of both towns:...

Someone surely could improve on this, but use "The Green Bird" as a conceptual starting point. Austin fancies itself Green, but has badly fallen off the pace of the leaders (such as Portland?) in that regard.

Here's hoping even though PHL has seen cuts, maybe SW could reinstate [AUS-PHL N/S] given the strengths and westbound connections on the AUS side.Amen, brother.