May of 2010 is going to be a landmark month for Northwest Florida. The Northwest Florida Beaches International Aiport is opening May 23, 2010 and Southwest Airlines is the first major air carrier to announce direct flights into the new airport.

There will be more options to reach the beach beginning in May 2010. Southwest Airlines has announced the four destination cities that will be served by the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.
NASHVILLE | HOUSTON | BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON DC | ORLANDO
Service starts May 23, 2010 and tickets are available now.
Southwest Airlines’ News Release
Southwest Airlines Announces Fares and Flights To/From Northwest Florida Beaches International AirportCarrier Will Operate Eight Daily Nonstop Flights From Panama City Beach, FL Beginning May 23, 2010DALLAS, Dec 16, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ — Grab your beach ball, it’s on! Southwest Airlines brings FUN in the sun to Panama City Beach, Florida! Flights are on sale today for the much-anticipated May 23, 2010, start of service! The Dallas-based airline will offer a better way to the beach with a total of eight daily nonstop departures:

    --  Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Nashville (BNA) - two daily flights
    --  Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Houston Hobby (HOU) - two daily flights
    --  Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) - two daily
        flights
    --  Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Orlando (MCO) - two daily flights

Southwest is offering these new flights with fares as low as $49 each way to Orlando and $69 each way to Baltimore/Washington, Houston, and Nashville with a 14-day advance purchase (see fare rules below). For more information on the new service see our blog post: blogsouthwest.com.
“Southwest Airlines is excited to bring to this brand new, top-notch airport an all-jet Boeing 737 fleet, our generous Bags Fly Free service where we don’t charge you extra for your first two checked bags, and our outstanding Customer Service,” said Bob Montgomery, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Properties. “We have been eyeing this region for a long time and have been extremely impressed by the amount of passion the community has put behind bringing Southwest Airlines to their hometown.”
In addition to the eight daily nonstop flights, Southwest Airlines will offer direct or connecting service to more than 58 destinations from Panama City Beach, including Dallas and Chicago. Southwest Airlines will operate from Gate 3 at the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport with approximately 30-35 Employees who will call the region home.
When shopping for Southwest online, it’s important to know that Southwest Airlines’ low fares are only available at www.southwest.com. Not only will Customers find Southwest’s great rates online at www.southwest.com, but the site also hosts Southwest’s Travel Guide where Customers can check out insider travel tips posted by those who frequent the Emerald Coast.
After over 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation’s leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines–offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, currently serves 68 cities in 35 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest operates more than 3,100 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.
Fare Rules
The $49 each way fare between Panama City Beach and Orlando, and the $69 each way fare between Baltimore/Washington, Nashville, Houston Hobby, and Panama City Beach are available for purchase today (only on www.southwest.com or swabiz.com) through Dec. 18, 2009, for travel May 23, 2010, through Aug. 13, 2010. Fares are valid every day of the week. Fares are one-way and do not require an overnight stay. When combining fares, all ticketing restrictions apply. Seats are limited. Fares may vary by day of travel and will not be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Fares do not include a federal segment tax of up to $3.60 per takeoff and landing. Fares do not include airport-assessed passenger facility charges (PFC) of up to $9.00 one-way and U.S. government-imposed September 11th Security Fees of up to $5.00 one-way. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Tickets are nonrefundable but, if unused, may be applied toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest Airlines. Fares are valid on Southwest-operated published, scheduled service only and are not available through the Group Desk.
SOURCE Southwest Airlines