Southwest Airlines spreads its LUV to Milwaukee

General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) recently celebrated the long-anticipated arrival of low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines (LUV), which launched service to six cities on November 1 including Baltimore/Washington, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, and Tampa Bay. MKE and Southwest Airlines got the party started by hosting a weekend of kick-off activities, including a convoy of Harley-Davidson motorcycles escorting Southwest Airlines’ first flight from the runway to the gate, charitable Halloween Party, tailgate bash for the Packers vs Vikings game, and an airport “kickoff” ceremony.

According to airport director Barry Bateman, Southwest bolsters MKE’s roster of low-fare carriers, reinforcing the airport’s reputation as one of the most competitive in the United States.

To feel the LUV, visit www.Southwest.com.

New AirTran service from MKE worthy of an A+

Always accommodating the budget-minded business traveler, AirTran Airways will add new flights and service routes from Milwaukee, starting April 6. The lost-cost carrier will offer twice-daily flights to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and add another daily flight to its current service to Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport (DCA).

Also, AirTran will partner with SkyWest Airlines to offer regional jet service from MKE to six cities: Pittsburgh; St. Louis; Akron/Canton, Ohio; Indianapolis, Des Moines, Iowa; and Omaha, Neb. Flights will begin on:  

          December 4, 2009  -  Pittsburgh and St. Louis
          January 5, 2010  -  Akron/Canton and Indianapolis
          February 11, 2010  -  Des Moines and Omaha

To shop low fares to anywhere AirTran flies, visit www.AirTran.com.

Midwest stretches its wings to the West and East coasts

If you left your heart in San Francisco, Midwest Airlines may entice you to retrieve it this spring. Starting April 19, Midwest Airlines will launch nonstop service from Milwaukee to San Francisco. But if the East Coast is calling your name, Midwest also will be adding twice-daily service from Milwaukee to Raleigh/Durham, N.C., starting April 1.

To celebrate the launch of the new service, Midwest is offering special pricing starting at $89 one way. Visit www.MidwestAirlines.com to get your trip started!

Fly American Eagle to the “Big D”

Whether you’re in search of rodeo, ribs or Tony Romo, American Eagle Airlines can get you to the Big D faster than you can say “More BBQ sauce, please.” Starting January 31, American Eagle will increase its daily nonstop service between Milwaukee and Dallas/Fort to five flights per day. Yeeee haw!

To book your trip, saddle up and visit www.aa.com.

Save a Lot: Try MKE’s new $5 SuperSaver parking lot

It’s hard enough to find a sandwich for less than $5 these days, but an airport parking spot? Ever attuned to the needs of savvy travelers, MKE has introduced its new SuperSaver parking lot with a 24-hour bargain rate of $5, including sales tax. The SuperSaver also offers free and convenient shuttle service directly to the airport terminal and is the lowest cost parking option at MKE.

In addition to SuperSaver parking, MKE continues to offer hourly covered parking for $2 per hour ($22 per day max), daily covered parking for $12 per day and adjacent surface parking(which contains the cell phone waiting lot) for $13 per day. The first 30 minutes of parking in the hourly and surface lots are free, and motorcycle parking is always free at the covered motorcycle parking area located at the north end of baggage claim drive!

New partnership brings Wi-Fi to your fingertips

If you’re traveling through or from MKE this holiday season, and have some extra time on your hands, hop on to free Wi-Fi! Through January 15, Boingo has partnered with Google to offer free Wi-Fi to travelers at MKE, and 31 other airports around the country.

Fall Travel: One for the record books!

With average airfares out of MKE lower than those of 75 other U.S. airports, including O’Hare, it’s no wonder MKE recorded record numbers of fall passengers. Airport officials attribute the bump to an increase in flights and service routes.

“Wisconsin and northern Illinois passengers have enthusiastically welcomed the new low-fare flight options out of Mitchell Airport, filling just about every seat the airlines added this fall,” said Barry Bateman, Airport Director.

Naughty or nice, treat yourself at MKE

If air travel is on your agenda this holiday season, you might find yourself at MKE with a few minutes to spare. In honor of all things festive, we bring you a list of the Top 5 jolliest things to do at MKE this Holiday Season – besides take-off!

1.  Finish last minute shopping without having to fight for parking. Surf MKE’s free Wi-Fi through January 15.

2.  Search for a vintage copy of A Christmas Carol in the Renassiannce Bookstore.

3.  The holidays are a time to relax. Recombobulate in MKE’s much-talked-about “Recombobulation Area” on the other side of security.

4.  Find out how people traveled home for the holidays ages ago when you tour the Mitchell Gallery of Flight Museum inside the main terminal.

5.  Indulge in a sweet holiday treat or savor a peppermint mocha coffee at Alterra Coffee. There are three, found on concourses C, D and in the main terminal near the entrance to Concourse E.