Southwest Celebrates 51st Birthday with Giveaways
Joe Cortez June 14, 2022
The Dallas-based airline is marking their 51st birthday by celebrating “Wanna Get Away Day” with a major giveaway of points, travel and the “highly coveted promotional Companion Pass.”
“Wanna Get Away Day” Marks Carrier’s Founding
The idea of “Wanna Get Away Day” marks the day Southwest commenced their first operations, flying from Dallas Love Field (DAL) to Houston and San Antonio. Over the past 51 years, the airline now offers flights across the United States and select international destinations using their point-to-point, low-cost model.
To celebrate their anniversary, the company is giving out the presents to their flyers. Through June 18, 2022, flyers can visit WannaGetAwayDay.com every day to play sweepstakes games based on their newest class, Wanna Get Away Plus. Travel related prizes include round trip tickets aboard Southwest for two, or bonus Rapid Rewards bonus points. The grand prize will be given out on June 18, when flyers have the chance to win one of the best perks in U.S. travel: the Southwest Companion Pass.
“Wanna Get Away Day is about celebrating our colorful, 51-year history of connecting People to what’s important in their lives,” Bill Tierney, Southwest vice president of marketing & digital experience, said in a press release. “We are thrilled to not only have a day that celebrates our past and present history, including our iconic Wanna Get Away campaign, but also highlights our future expansion, and brings together our amazing Employees and Customers.”
The contest is open to legal residents of the U.S. and District of Columbia 19 and older, excluding Alaska, Florida, New York and Rhode Island. Each person has a limit of one entry. Although the prizes include free travel, Rapid Rewards points and the Companion Pass, all bookings are subject to taxes and fees of at least $5.60 per one-way flight. No purchase is necessary, and purchases don’t increase the chances of winning.
Contest Comes After Change of Leadership at Airline
The contest is the first run under the new leadership of Southwest, after Bob Jordan assumed the title of chief executive in 2022. Jordan replaced Gary Kelley, who was selected by airline founder Herb Kelleher to assume the role of CEO and chairman of the board.
