DALLAS, Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) today announced that it has been designated a 2013 Top 100 Military Friendly Employer® by G.I. Jobs. This marks the fourth year the Company has been included in the Top 100 Military Friendly Employers® list, which was compiled from a data-driven survey sample of 5,000 companies whose annual revenues exceeded $500 million. Criteria for selection to the Top 100 list included the strength of Company military recruiting efforts, the percentage of new hires with prior military service, retention programs, and company policies on National Guard and Reserve service.

"Southwest Airlines is committed to serving our Country, our Customers, and our fellow Employees with a Warrior Spirit and Servant's Heart—the same values of those who have so bravely served in the Armed Forces," said Jeff Lamb, Southwest Airlines'  Executive Vice President, Chief People and Administration Officer. "Our Employees are our competitive advantage, and we salute all of our Employees, but especially those who have served, for their dedication to Southwest and helping us remain the most successful airline in the history of aviation."

Southwest Airlines currently employs more than 5,000 Veterans who serve in the National Guard and Reserves.  Southwest Airlines' Company profile, including open positions that are a fit for military personnel, can be found on MilitaryFriendly.com.  To honor its Employees and Customers who are currently serving or have served in the armed forces, Southwest Airlines is celebrating "Military Heroes Month" in November to show support for Veterans and Service Members across the nation. By working with multiple nonprofit organizations throughout the month, the airline is saying thank you by giving back and helping to raise money to support Military Service Members and their families. Here's a look at how Southwest is honoring Military Heroes:

Nov. 9-11 | A Million Thanks, We LUV Our Troops Customer Card Campaign, Nationwide
In honor of Veterans Day, Southwest is distributing Support Our Troops cards and patriotic heart decor to all Inflight bases for Flight Attendants to share with Customers and give them the opportunity to say thanks as they travel to their destination.  These cards will be sent to the nonprofit organization "A Million Thanks" who will distribute them to Troops serving across the world.

Nov. 9-12 | Operation Freedom Bird, Welcome Home Celebration, Washington, D.C.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Operation Freedom Bird (OFB), which provides a unique healing journey to Arizona's combat Veterans of all wars.  Approximately 50 Veterans have been selected to participate in a four-day healing journey on Veterans Day and visit the War Memorials in Washington, D.C. Southwest Airlines has supported OFB with travel and a celebration of their return home for more than a decade.

Nov. 11 | Veterans Day Parade, New York City
Southwest Airlines is honoring nine Navajo Code Talkers for their heroic work during World War II by providing complimentary travel to attend the New York City Veterans Day Parade.

Nov. 12 | Veterans Day Parade, Dallas, Texas
Southwest Airlines is sponsoring and volunteering at the Dallas Veterans Day Parade to celebrate those who safeguard our country and say thank you to those who served or are serving.

Nov. 14-15 | Veterans Day Tour with the Texas Rangers Baseball Club, Washington, D.C.
Southwest Airlines and the Texas Rangers Baseball Club will take recent Military Veterans and their families to Washington, D.C., for a Veterans Day tour.

Now in its 10th year, the Top 100 Military Friendly Employers® list is the premier resource for transitioning service members and spouses seeking civilian employment.  The survey results that determined the 2013 list were independently tested by Ernst & Young LLP based upon the weightings and methodology established by G.I. Jobs. Each year companies taking the survey are held to a higher standard than the previous year via improved methodology, criteria and weightings developed with the assistance of an Advisory Board consisting of leaders in the military recruitment community.  A full list of board members can be found at www.MilitaryFriendly.com/board.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 42^nd year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating passengers boarded, and including wholly-owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways, operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve 97 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and six near-international countries. Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People and Planet.  To read about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good corporate citizen, visit southwest.com/citizenship to read the Southwest Airlines One Report™.

Southwest Airlines

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel quantified by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves.  On every flight, Southwest offers Customers the first two pieces of checked luggage (weight and size limitations apply) and all ticket changes without additional fees. Southwest's all Boeing fleet consistently offers leather seating and the comfort of full-size cabins, many of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi connectivity and a new, eco-friendly cabin interior.  With 39 consecutive years of profitability, the People of Southwest operate more than 3,100 flights a day and serve communities around 78 airports in Southwest's network of domestic destinations.  Southwest Airlines' frequent flights and low fares are available only at southwest.com.

AirTran Airways

AirTran Airways, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co., offers coast-to-coast and near-international service with close to 600 flights a day to 54 destinations.  The carrier's high-quality product includes assigned seating and Business Class. As Southwest continues to integrate AirTran's People, places, and planes into Southwest Airlines, Customers of both carriers may book flights at airtran.com and exchange earned loyalty points between both AirTran's A+ Rewards® and Southwest's Rapid Rewards® for reward travel on either airline.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines