I know, Southwest Airlines already serves many of Florida's Gulf and Atlantic coast beaches, but this is new service to Northwest Florida Beaches - Panama City Beach, Beaches of South Walton, Destin beaches - begins this Sunday, May 23. Just in time for Memorial Day.
A Southwest spokesperson says ticket sales have been "very strong and meeting our expectations." The airline plans a big take-off event for Monday, noon to 1 p.m., at McKeldin Square, corner of Pratt and Light streets, where they will be giving away six - count 'em, 6! - roundtrip tickets to Northwest Florida.
The square is going to be transformed into a beach scene with beach balls, beach bags, the Orioles Mascot and Southwest employees dressed for the beach. The first 200 people to show up will receive a free beach bag packed with supplies for a vacation in Panama City Beach. Six of the beach bags will contain the free roundtrip plane tickets plus hotel accommodations.
Photo of Panama City Beach, by Gary Bogdon
