Southwest Airlines Celebrates 20 Years of Connecting Students with Families Through ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Travel Awards

In partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the airline celebrates 20 years of connecting students to their families through travel

(IN SHORT) Southwest Airlines, in collaboration with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), has awarded 185 students with round-trip tickets through the ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award Program, celebrating 20 years of supporting student travel. The selected students, chosen from over 90 institutions across the U.S., can use their tickets to travel to any domestic destination served by Southwest Airlines. The initiative, launched in 2004, aims to help students maintain connections with their families while studying away from home. Laura Nieto, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility at Southwest, highlighted the airline’s commitment to empowering students through various support programs. Recipients expressed gratitude, sharing personal stories about reuniting with their families. HACU represents over 500 colleges and universities, promoting internships, scholarships, and leadership opportunities.

(PRESS RELEASE) Dallas, TX, 2024-Oct-10— /Travel PR News/ — In a momentous partnership marking two decades, Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) have announced the recipients of the ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award Program. This year, 185 students from over 90 institutions nationwide have been chosen to receive four round-trip tickets for travel to any domestic destination served by Southwest Airlines. Since its inception in 2004, this initiative has aimed to support students in maintaining family connections while pursuing their education away from home.

Laura Nieto, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility at Southwest Airlines, remarked, “Twenty years ago, we recognized the importance of helping students stay connected with their families as they embark on their academic journeys. Through scholarships, educational awards, and support for STEM-focused learning, we remain dedicated to empowering students and nurturing their aspirations.”

The airline takes great pride in the accomplishments of its awardees, many of whom have graduated, launched successful careers, and pursued advanced degrees, all while managing the challenges of family life from a distance.

“I can’t wait to reunite with my family next week,” expressed Isabella, a 2024 ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! recipient. “I’m thrilled to see my little cousins and my grandparents—hopefully, I can convince my grandma to make mole. Without this award, I would have had to wait until Christmas to see them.”

HACU represents a network of over 500 colleges and universities, providing numerous programs, including internships, scholarships, and leadership development opportunities. For more information on the initiatives of Southwest Airlines, please visit Southwest.com/citizenship.

About HACU
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas, with offices in Washington, D.C., Sacramento, California, and Chicago, Illinois.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.   
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline1. Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its more than 74,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 137 million Customers carried in 2023. That formula for success brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years3 of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. As the airline with Heart, Southwest has set a goal to work toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by 20504. Southwest has also set near-term targets and a three-pillar strategy to achieve its environmental goals. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/planet.

1. Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey since Q1 2021
2. Fulltime-equivalent active Employees
3. 1973-2019 annual profitability
4. Our net zero by 2050 goal includes Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 Category 3 emissions only and excludes any emissions associated with non-fuel products and services, such as inflight service items.

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Source: Southwest Airlines

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