Latest news with #AndrewWatterson
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines Announces Big Price Change for Limited Time Starting June 3
On June 2, Southwest Airlines announced its first ever international partnership with China Airlines Group, a Taiwan-based carrier, to create an interline partnership in early 2026. 'We're on a journey to bring more choices to our Customers. This initial work to partner with Taiwan-based China Airlines would allow for seamless trans-Pacific journeys across the Southwest network, furthering the reach of our Vision and Purpose—to connect People with important moments in their lives,' Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Airlines said in a statement. 'As the largest carrier of domestic Passengers in the United States, we also carry more people to, from, and within California than any other airline1 and expect Southwest Customers could benefit immediately from having access to connections overseas through China Airlines.' As the airline prepares for an international future, it announced a new price change for a limited time on domestic travel. Southwest announced between June 3 and June 5, 2025, travelers can save up to 50% off base fares with code WOWZERS on select continental U.S. flights for travel from August 12 to December 17, 2025 'This month, we're celebrating 54 years of connecting People to what's important in their lives,' Jennifer Bridie, Vice President Marketing at Southwest Airlines, said in a statement. 'The Week of WOW offers everything you need to plan the perfect trip, along with more opportunities to earn Rapid Rewards points for future travel. We can't wait to spend another year doing what we love most—delivering Legendary Hospitality to our Customers.' The airline also announced travelers holding the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card will received 10 points per $1 spent - up to a $500 spend. Southwest also announced a special promotion between June 2 and July 31, 2025 where customers can enter for a chance to win a grand prize of 500K Rapid Rewards Points and a Carnival Cruise for two or a first prize of 100K Rapid Rewards PointsSouthwest Airlines Announces Big Price Change for Limited Time Starting June 3 first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines Announces First Ever International Partnership
On May 28, Southwest Airlines instituted its new bag policy that was previously announced in March. "For reservations booked and ticketed or changed on or after May 28, 2025, checked baggage fees will apply. We will offer two free checked bags to our Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Business Select Customers, and one free checked bag to A-List Members and other select Customers. Southwest will credit the first checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers," the airline said in a statement at the time. Just a few days before the start of its new bag policy, Southwest revealed the first checked bag will cost $35 while a second bag will cost $45. Fast forward a few more days and Southwest has even bigger news to come. On June 2, the airline revealed it's in discussion with China Airlines Group, a Taiwan-based carrier, to create an interline partnership in early 2026, with published connections expected to go on sale later this year. The two carriers met in India at the International Air Transport Association 2025 Annual General Meeting to jointly announce the first trans-Pacific airline partnership for Southwest. 'We're on a journey to bring more choices to our Customers. This initial work to partner with Taiwan-based China Airlines would allow for seamless trans-Pacific journeys across the Southwest network, furthering the reach of our Vision and Purpose—to connect People with important moments in their lives,' Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Airlines said in a statement. 'As the largest carrier of domestic Passengers in the United States, we also carry more people to, from, and within California than any other airline1 and expect Southwest Customers could benefit immediately from having access to connections overseas through China Airlines.' Just a few months ago Southwest launched a partnership with Icelandair that connects those traveling from the U.S. and Europe on dual-carrier itineraries through gateway airports Baltimore/Washington, Denver, and Airlines Announces First Ever International Partnership first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Travel Weekly
4 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Southwest explores partnership with China Airlines
NEW DELHI, India -- Southwest Airlines is discussing an interline agreement with Taiwan's China Airlines. The carriers hope to launch the partnership early next year, with interline flight sales beginning late this year. Executives of the two carriers met to discuss the potential tie-up at the IATA Annual General meeting here. The partnership, should it come to fruition, would be the second for Southwest since it began searching for airline partners as part of an ongoing commercial transformation. Southwest began interlining with Icelandair in February. Other key elements of the transformation include Southwest's recent imposition of bag fees as well as ongoing aircraft retrofits that will enable the airline to introduce an extra-legroom product and do assigned seating. State-owned China Airlines flies to five U.S. destinations: Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York JFK and Ontario, Calif. From its hub in Taipei, the carrier flies to 33 Asian destinations. It's significantly smaller in size than other East Asia carriers, including Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air and others. Mainland China's three large airlines are also much bigger, though connectivity between those airlines and the U.S. is limited by the strict U.S.-China aviation agreement. In a statement, Southwest CEO Andrew Watterson said a partnership with China Airlines would offer customers seamless transpacific journeys across the Southwest network. Southwest is attending IATA's annual meeting for the first time, after joining the trade group earlier this year. "We've found great interest globally in potential partnerships with Southwest and continue discussions here in New Delhi with several like-minded carriers," Watterson said.
Skift
5 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Southwest Goes Global with First Transpacific Partner
While still modest in scope, this latest step hints at a broader ambition for Southwest to build a powerful patchwork of global connectivity. It's a strategic shift that signals Southwest Airlines' growing global ambitions: On Monday, the low-cost carrier said it is preparing to launch its first transpacific airline partnership. Under the agreement, travelers will be able to book single-ticket itineraries combining China Airlines' transpacific services with Southwest's U.S. network, connecting via Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ontario, and Seattle. More than 30 cities across the United States are due to be included in the arrangement. Southwest says published connections should go on sale later in 2025, with service scheduled to begin in early 2026. Final discussions between the two airlines are continuing to fine-tune the terms and scope of the partnership. The milestone was announced at the IATA AGM taking place in Delhi this week. Southwest is making its debut at the event after it joined the airline trade body earlier this year. Andrew Watterson, Southwest's chief operating officer, hinted that the China Airlines deal may be just the beginning: 'We've found great interest globally in potential partnerships with Southwest and continue discussions here in New Delhi with several like-minded carriers.' Interline agreements offer Southwest a low-risk way to expand internationally without surrendering its independence. Andrew Watterson pictured with Kevin Chen, President at China Airlines. credit: southwest airlines China Airlines already has well-established U.S. links with Delta through its membership of the SkyTeam alliance. But as the largest U.S. domestic carrier, Southwest can offer China Airlines far greater onward connectivity — especially from Ontario and San Francisco, where Delta's presence is more limited. While notable, Monday's announcement was light on detail in some areas. For example, it remains to be seen what onboard options may be available for China Airlines' premium passengers. Ongoing discussions between the two companies are likely to explore these finer details. 'For Southwest, this new partnership marks another step toward chasing revenue sources it long ignored,' said Jay Shabat, senior analyst at Airline Weekly. 'Expect the company to announce additional partnerships with international airlines, but will it ever decide to fly overseas itself?' All Change at Southwest The agreement with China Airlines marks only the second such deal for Southwest. Last September, the U.S. carrier announced Icelandair as its first international airline partner. Transit passengers at Baltimore-Washington, Denver, and Nashville airports were the first to benefit. From July 14, connecting options will be added at Orlando, Pittsburgh, and Raleigh-Durham. It marks the latest phase in a transformative year for Southwest. The company is upending its decades-old business model following a bitter battle with activist investor Elliott Investment Management. After building a nearly $2 billion economic stake in Southwest, the hedge fund pushed for a senior leadership overhaul. Ultimately, the two companies reached a settlement to give Elliott five board seats — just short of control — while Bob Jordan remained as CEO. Distinctive features such as its open seating system, 'bags go free' policy, and boarding method are also changing. Other moves include the addition of extra legroom seats and the introduction of red-eye flying on select routes are signs that even Southwest's most iconic elements are not off-limits as it overhauls its business model. What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
The Courier
27-04-2025
- Health
- The Courier
Tayside water network has highest level of asbestos-cement pipes
Tayside has the highest level of ageing water pipes built with asbestos in the cement, according to national figures. Perth and Kinross tops the list with 27% of the network's pipe containing asbestos, followed by Angus on 26%, while Dundee registers 18%. The council areas are higher than the national average of 11%, according to figures published in the Sunday Post newspaper. The World Health Organisation does not consider ingestion of asbestos in drinking water to be a serious risk. However, lawyers in America are already pursuing cases where they argue the fibres from asbestos cement pipes have caused cancers in their clients. Scottish water estimates it could take until 2072 for all of the pipes to be replaced if the current rate of refitting is maintained. Professor Andrew Watterson, a public health researcher at Stirling University, says it is 'worrying' the normal end-of-life replacement time for the pipes in Scotland could be double that operated elsewhere in the world. Mr Watterson said: 'To date no research has been sufficiently well designed to establish what exactly the level of risk, if any, there is. It may take decades to find out conclusively. 'So, the removal of asbestos pipes by water suppliers now is a wise and precautionary policy. 'This is contingent on the workers replacing such pipes being well protected and the asbestos pipes being disposed of safely.' Figures from Scottish Water show 52.5% of asbestos cement pipes across Scotland's water supply are now older than the maximum range lifespan. Lib Dem MSP Beatrice Wishart, who obtained the details, said: 'Scotland has not invested properly in its infrastructure. 'When it comes to issues like dangerous concrete in our public buildings, sewage in our rivers and now reliance on asbestos piping, the SNP have taken an out of sight, out of mind approach.' The UK Water Industry Research organisation said in 2020 that the cost to replace all asbestos cement piping across the UK would be between £5 billion and £8 billion. Scottish Water said 3,600 miles of its network is manufactured from asbestos cement. 'We undertake preventative action, such as pressure management, to help manage our assets, reduce the risk of bursts and prolong the life of our water mains,' as spokesperson for the utility said. 'We also invest around £35m – £40m per year to renew water mains.' Scottish Waters no longer installs any asbestos cement pipes and is 'proactively' targeting replacements, which could take a 'significant period of time'.
