NBC12.com-Richmond, VA News, Weather, Traffic & SportsSouthwest Airlines flying into Richmond Int'l

Southwest Airlines flying into Richmond Int'l

Posted: Updated:

  • Latest news from NBC12.comNEWS

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 8:26 PM EDT2012-05-24 00:26:21 GMT
    A motorcycle led Henrico Police on a chase across the county before crashing in Richmond. An officer tried to pull over the motorcycle for speeding around 4:17 p.m. Wednesday near I-64 West and Nine Mile
    A motorcycle led Henrico Police on a chase across the county before crashing in Richmond.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 7:11 PM EDT2012-05-23 23:11:48 GMT
    A man has barricaded himself inside his home in Richmond's Carver neighborhood, according to Richmond Police. The house is located in the 1500 block of West Moore Street, near the Carver Elementary School. NBC12
    The standoff in Richmond's Carver neighborhood has ended peacefully.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 6:47 PM EDT2012-05-23 22:47:27 GMT
    Henrico's Board of Supervisors will soon hear an appeal, over plans to build a huge mosque in the west end. Neighbors want the county to reconsider plans for the Hungary Road site. Imagine, for a second,
    Henrico's Board of Supervisors will soon hear an appeal, over plans to build a huge mosque in the west end. The plans call for 128 parking spaces, but longtime neighbors said, that's not nearly enough.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 6:34 PM EDT2012-05-23 22:34:08 GMT
    A teenager finds his mother's body and the body of her boyfriend inside the family home. Deputies say, the deaths appear to be a murder-suicide. Both individuals were shot. It happened in the 1800
    A teenager finds his mother's body and the body of her boyfriend inside the family home. Deputies said, the deaths appear to be a murder-suicide.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 6:21 PM EDT2012-05-23 22:21:25 GMT
    It aired about a week ago during the NBC12 6pm newscast, a unique ad for a candidate for president. The Barack Obama re-election campaign purchased a two minute block of time to air a mini-documentary
    It aired about a week ago during the NBC12 6pm newscast, a unique ad for a candidate for president. The Barack Obama re-election campaign purchased a two minute block of time to air a mini-documentary

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 6:14 PM EDT2012-05-23 22:14:13 GMT
    COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VA (WWBT)- Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, VDOT launches several new tools to help ease holiday traffic headaches. All the new tools will help travelers especially if you're headed
    Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, VDOT launches several new tools to help ease holiday traffic headaches.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 6:00 PM EDT2012-05-23 22:00:28 GMT
    NBC12 got an inside look at two state-of-the-art elementary schools under construction in Richmond. Both Broad Rock and Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary Schools are engineered with the latest technology
    Both Broad Rock and Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary Schools are engineered with the latest technology for both learning and the environment, as well as a community center component.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 5:28 PM EDT2012-05-23 21:28:36 GMT
    This weekend the weather is going to get hot, and that is going to bring people in droves to the river. That means an increase river rescues. From afar, the river looks peaceful and welcoming, but beneath
    This weekend the weather is going to get hot, and that is going to bring people in droves to the river. That means an increase river rescues. From afar, the river looks peaceful and welcoming, but beneath

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 5:18 PM EDT2012-05-23 21:18:22 GMT
    An unforgettable community response marks the search and rescue of Robert Wood Junior. The Hanover County Sheriff's Office is now receiving national recognition for its effort to bring the boy home safely.
    An unforgettable community response marks the search and rescue of Robert Wood Junior. The Hanover County Sheriff's Office is now receiving national recognition for its effort to bring the boy home safely.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 3:06 PM EDT2012-05-23 19:06:17 GMT
    New photos released by Dinwiddie Animal Control appear to show malnourished, neglected and abused horses seized from a county farm last week. During a seizure hearing on Monday the owner of the animals,
    New photos released by Dinwiddie Animal Control appear to show malnourished, neglected and abused horses seized from a county farm last week.
HENRICO, VA (WWBT) -

Big changes coming to Richmond International: Southwest Airlines is set to fly in soon. It is all apart of the AirTran-Southwest merger. Southwest announced on Friday it would continue service at Richmond after the merger.

Nothing but smiles and excitement at the airport over the news that Southwest Airlines is coming. But, not so fast. There is still some work to be done before any Southwest planes take flight over the River City.

We all know taking to the friendly skies these days is anything but cheap. About a year or so ago-- the Chamber of Commerce paid for some ad time to encourage people to fly discounted Jetblue or AirTran. Now -- flies in Southwest!

"It's great. Airfare has been pretty expensive here. So, it's nice that we can get some discounted fares," said traveler Matthew McQuillan. 

"They are a great airline. They are a lot of fun," added Tracy Hale.  

She is really looking forward to the discount carrier. "For both business traveling and vacation traveling I like to go out west so I think it's wonderful. The access it gives us out west is pretty awesome."

We are learning that traveling out west right out of Richmond is a real possibility. Southwest flies there often. Richmond airport officials say there is strong demand out of Richmond to fly to places like Seattle, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver and more.

Here is some even better news. Right now you have to pay for your first bag through AirTran. Southwest says it plans to keep the popular, "2 bags fly free" motto.

But before any of this can become a reality--- AirTran and Southwest must still merge as one airline. We're told that's something that should happen soon.

Then, Southwest leaders will look at demand and see where additional flights and destinations would be added.

Southwest officials say the transition from AirTran to Southwest will take place over the next 2 years. 

Richmond International nearly landed Southwest about 10 years ago, but that deal fell through.

We're told that even after the AirTran-Southwest merger, there will still be non-stop flights to at least Orlando and Atlanta out of Richmond.

Copyright 2012 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved.