Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) (the "Company") today reported its September, third quarter, and year-to-date preliminary traffic statistics.

The Company flew 9.5 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in September 2017, a decrease of 4.5 percent from the 9.9 billion RPMs flown in September 2016. Available seat miles (ASMs) decreased 1.6 percent to 11.6 billion in September 2017, compared with September 2016 ASMs of 11.8 billion. The September 2017 load factor was 81.7 percent, compared with 84.2 percent in September 2016. Based on these results and consistent with guidance furnished in a Form 8-K filed on September 28, 2017, the Company continues to estimate its third quarter 2017 operating revenue per ASM (RASM) to be flat to down one percent, as compared with third quarter 2016.

This release, as well as past news releases about Southwest Airlines Co., is available online at Southwest.com.