Jaunted - Tag: Gary Kelly

Dallas: Southwest's InFlight Internet: Testing, Testing

egw — 2009-02-10T12:39:57-05:00

UPDATE: Southwest's CEO Gary Kelly tested the in-flight WiFi today and sent out an email to his executive planning committee:

Y'all are my first email from SWA Wifi. It's awesome! Speed is good. Customers obviously luv it.

Even in the air, Keller stays on message.

Could you possible log on onboard in the No Hidden Fee Zone? Southwest Airlines announced today it will begin testing in-flight WiFi in conjunction with tech startup Row 44, with hopes to have 4 planes WiFi enabled by March. But where can we get it, and how much will it cost?

Along with the announcement Southwest posted a short video of digital addicts using Facebook and their iPhones on a test flight of unspecified destination. (You can't make a cell phone call, though.) They even showed off what we assume is Row 44's machinery at work, dubbed "Gadget 13," making this test the first in which we've actually seen the sausage being made, so to speak.

We dinged Row 44 for making a big splash at CES without any examples of its superiority over other in-flight wireless providers like Gogo. Now they're making good and, if the president's interview with the New York Times holds, may actually be undercutting the market with charges of $6 for handheld devices and $8 for laptops.

And while not all of Southwest's fee-conscious passengers will spring for that kind of extra, some will -- or rather, we would.

No routes were named as potentially WiFi ready, but looking into our crystal ball we foresee Internet popping up en route to Vegas, Chicago-Midway and Phoenix, their top three destinations (and two of which are cities included on the test flights today and tomorrow).

Dallas: So Much Fun It's Scary

egw — 2008-11-03T09:30:07-05:00

The Halloween spirit turns up in a lot of odd places (we see you, dentist's office!) but nowhere was odder than seeing these balloon columns popping up everywhere at Dallas' Love Field last week. But given how seriously Love's main carrier, Southwest Airlines, takes the holiday, it only seems appropriate that some of the good cheer would spill over from Southwest HQ, which is very close to the airport. How close? We'll show you that and way, way more after the jump.

Dallas: Gary Kelly Plays "Sharp Dressed Man"

egw — 2008-11-03T08:00:06-05:00

The biggest news coming out of Southwest Airlines' Halloween bash this year was what CEO Gary Kelly's costume would be. On Friday, we analyzed his choice of Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top--but today we have exclusive video of Kelly performing one of the Top's biggest hits, just after the jump.

Dallas: A Close Reading Of Gary Kelly's Costume Pick

pbb — 2008-10-31T09:44:07-05:00

Southwest's Chief of Wacky Getups is leading the troops in Halloween celebrations today dressed as Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top. Kelly definitely pulls it off, but when past outfits have included full face make-up and dressing in drag, a fake beard and a hat seem more than a little conservative.

Maybe the economy has him toning things down? It's still too early to tell if a recession will put the breaks on leisure travel, a big part of Southwest's business, but if it does, the carrier won't be able to fall back on fees as a way to earn some extra scratch.

Looking ahead to 2009, a potentially drawn out fare war with the new super-Delta at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International can't be an exciting prospect. And while the airline notes that its recent quarterly loss was more of an accounting issue than a business downturn, no one likes to lose $120 million.

Then again, it's just a costume.

Related Stories:
· A Sharp Dressed Man [Nuts about Southwest]

[Photo: Southwest Airlines]

Baltimore: Southwest in High Gear for Its Favorite Holiday

pbb — 2008-10-28T10:15:03-05:00

It's no secret that Southwest Airlines is obsessed with Halloween, from flight attendants dressed as zombies to CEO Gary Kelly's infamous costumes.

So it should come as no surprise that these over-the-top decorations are up in Concourse B and Baltimore-Washington International.

We're actually heading to the Halloween festivities at Southwest HQ in Dallas on Friday, which should be outrageous. Guess it's easy to party when your airline isn't bleeding cash!

Related Stories:
· Halloween at BWI [TwitPic]
· Halloween coverage [Jaunted]

Since You Asked: Our Pick for Gary Kelly's Halloween Costume

pbb — 2008-08-19T15:15:13-05:00

Southwest CEO Gary Kelly just posted a request on the airline's official blog: He needs our help coming up with a costume for this Halloween. In the past, he's gone all the way with portrayals of Gene Simmons, Jack Sparrow and Edna Turnblad (from "Hairspray"), so not just any idea will work.

We think we have a winner, though: We wanna see Kelly decked out as Kyla Ebbert. She is, after all, the airline's most famous passenger! We even put together this handy shopping list for the boss' trip to the costume shop:

1 tiny white tank top.
1 lime green bolero.
1 white denim mini skirt.
1 copy Playboy. (For research purposes only!)
1 invite to a party with Richard Branson.

Related Stories:
· Help Me Decide [Official Blog]
· Kyla coverage [Jaunted]

The Diff: Taking Notes from Gary Kelly

pbb — 2008-05-22T10:00:01-05:00

This interesting photo from the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University just landed in our inbox. Seems when Southwest CEO Gary Kelly stopped in recently to share words of wisdom with OSU MBAs and aviation students, a familiar face was in the crowd. Says our tipster:

In the back row of the photo you can make out Bill Diffenderffer. Seems a little late for him to be learning how to run an airline.

Related Stories:
· Southwest CEO at Fisher [OSU]
· Skybus coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: OSU]