As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, Southwest Airlines has partnered with L.A. Times Studios and At Will Media to produce a 20-episode podcast series called Is This Seat Open?.
“As we look back on 50 years of Southwest Airlines, our world and our industry have changed significantly, but what has remained constant is the Heart demonstrated by the People of Southwest,” said Linda Rutherford, Senior Vice President and Chief Communication Officer. “We’re a company full of remarkable stories, thanks to the diverse group of employees and customers who define Southwest, so what better way to celebrate our milestone 50th Anniversary than to share some of this rich history. These one-of-a-kind stories set Southwest apart, show the heart and hospitality of our employees, and will serve as the foundation for the next 50 years and beyond.”
Southwest Employees Quinnie Jenkins, a Manager in Community Outreach, and Lucas Hershberger, an in-flight Supervisor, host the podcast, whose title, Is This Seat Open? draws upon Southwest’s open-seating policy.
Is This Seat Open? is available on all podcast platforms, including iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. There are currently 10 episodes available, with additional episodes launching on 15 June and 22 June for a total of 20 episodes in the series.
The podcast project includes a companion website, latimes.com/isthisseatopen, which features photos, archival content, videos, news clips, and write-ups for further context and information about each story.
“This podcast is about Southwest Airlines, but it’s really for anyone who flies or loves the backstory on a business succeeding against the odds,” said Allie Prater, Director of Branded Content, L.A. Times Studios. “We were honoured to work with Southwest and At Will to bring forward some of the many true stories that make this airline so unique, and so beloved by its customers.”
Southwest Customers can listen to Is This Seat Open? via iHeartRadio free of charge through the in-flight entertainment portal on their personal devices. Customers who already have the iHeartRadio app installed on their devices can play the podcast directly from the app while onboard Southwest flights.
Due to licensing restrictions, iHeartRadio may not be available onboard Wi-Fi-enabled international flights. The iHeartRadio product is available only on Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft. Is This Seat Open? is funded by Southwest Airlines and produced by L.A. Times Studios and At Will Media. The Los Angeles Times newsroom was not involved in the production of this podcast.
