Southwest Airlines’ International Flying Takes off Today, Powered by Amadeus Altéa Technology

Today the first-ever scheduled international flights flown by Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) took off heading to the Caribbean, also marking the successful full implementation of Amadeus’ Altéa technology, the next generation passenger services system for airlines.

Amadeus and Southwest Airlines teams celebrate the airline's first international flights today at Baltimore-Washington International Airport during a press conference at the gate. Left to Right: Kevin Krone, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Southwest Airlines, Lois McKeon, Account Director, Amadeus, Teresa Laraba, Senior Vice President of Customers, Southwest Airlines and Jack Smith, Vice President of Ground Operations, Southwest Airlines (Photo: Business Wire)

“Today, we realize our vision of flying internationally, and this success is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of the combined Southwest and Amadeus teams,” said Randy Sloan, Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “Amadeus has been a tremendous IT partner, and we look forward to our continued collaboration with Amadeus as we expand this technology to serve our domestic needs in the future.”

Southwest began selling seats on its inaugural international flights in January using the Altéa Reservation and Inventory modules. The first flight departed from Baltimore, Maryland, USA, for Aruba today at 8:30am EDT, with customer management powered by Altéa Departure Control. This marks the culmination of two years of behind-the-scenes IT collaboration and systems re-engineering by the Southwest and Amadeus teams.

“We are extremely pleased that our next generation technology has today enabled Southwest to achieve its vision and strategy of international flying. We are wholly committed to helping all of our customers deliver the products and services that connect, serve and manage the evolving needs of the 21st Century traveler. At the same time, North America is a key strategic market for growth for Amadeus, and we are very proud to be a partner of Southwest in the significant milestone of international flying and as we shape the future of travel together,” said Julia Sattel, Senior Vice President, Airline IT, Amadeus.

The implementation of the full Altéa IT suite has been a global effort, as the execution and ongoing support of Southwest is being served from around the world and around the clock by Amadeus employees in Dallas, Boston, Miami, Sydney, Bangkok, London, Nice (France) and Erding (Germany).

The commencement of international flying by Southwest follows the announcement in May that Southwest and Amadeus entered into a joint contract for Amadeus’ Altéa suite to support the carrier’s U.S. domestic flying as well. Over the next few years, Southwest and Amadeus will work together to move the carrier fully to the Amadeus Altéa platform for both international and domestic flying. Amadeus currently provides Altéa technology and services to more than 120 airlines around the world.

About Amadeus

Amadeus is a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry. Customer groups include travel providers (e.g. airlines, hotels, rail and ferry operators, etc.), travel sellers (travel agencies and websites), and travel buyers (corporations and travel management companies).

The Amadeus group employs around 10,000 people worldwide, across central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters), Nice (development) and Erding (operations), as well as 71 local Amadeus Commercial Organizations globally.

The group operates a transaction-based business model. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the company reported revenues of €3,103.7 million and EBITDA of €1,188.7 million.

Amadeus is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange under the symbol “AMS.MC” and is a component of the IBEX 35 index.

To find out more about Amadeus please visit www.amadeus.com.

About Southwest Airlines Co.

In its 44th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 45,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Based on the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Southwest is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The airline also operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve 93 destinations in 40 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and five near-international countries via wholly owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways. Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its triple bottom line approach that takes into account the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities it serves, and its commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2013 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at southwest.com/citizenship.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves. With Southwest Airlines, Bags Fly Free ® (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply), and there are no change fees (fare difference may apply) when you need to change your flight. Southwest's fleet offers leather seating and the comfort of full-size cabins, a majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi connectivity over the United States, which enables live and video-on-demand TV currently FREE compliments of DISH, and a new, sustainable cabin interior. Southwest acquired AirTran Airways in May 2011 and by the end of 2014 intends to complete the full integration of the AirTran network into Southwest. With 41 consecutive years of profitability, the People of Southwest and AirTran operate more than 3,600 flights a day. Southwest Airlines' frequent flights and low fares are available online at southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

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