The Plush Summer Lounge, Created by Southwest Airlines, Celebrates New Travel Service at LaGuardia Airport
NEW YORK, June 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines, the country’s largest domestic airline, has announced the opening of The Southwest Porch at Bryant Park, a brand new al fresco lounge that will provide New Yorkers and visitors alike with a fun seasonal venue to enjoy summer evenings in the center of one of New York City’s most beloved public parks. The Porch opens to the public today—complete with porch swings, rocking chairs and Adirondack chairs— and is part of the airline’s campaign to celebrate its new service into and out of LaGuardia Airport beginning June 28th. Southwest will offer eight daily nonstop departures for New Yorkers--five daily nonstop flights between Chicago Midway and LaGuardia and three daily nonstop departures between Baltimore/Washington and LaGuardia.
The new service at LaGuardia will create over 40 new jobs for New Yorkers—from managers and marketers to gate agents and baggage handlers. In addition, Southwest is promoting travel and tourism to New York in print and out-of-home media, radio, on-line, in-flight and non-traditional marketing, with particular focus in Chicago and Baltimore/Washington.
Southwest is the first corporate entity to sign on to Mayor Bloomberg’s Middle School Mentorship initiative, recently announced as part of the NYC Service campaign, and has committed its New York City based employees to participate in this mentorship program. Southwest will partner with MS 8—New Prep Middle School in Jamaica, Queens, to provide mentors for the City’s newly launched Middle School Mentors initiative. The Middle School Mentors initiative recognizes the middle school years as a critical time for youth and knows that mentors are a proven intervention to helping students stay connected to school and succeed.
“With the inauguration of Southwest Airlines service at LaGuardia, we are incredibly proud to be bringing the signature Southwest spirit to all New Yorkers at The Southwest Porch at Bryant Park,” said Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines. “The unparalleled customer service in the air that our Southwest employees around the country are so well-known for will now be enjoyed at this unique outdoor venue. We hope everyone will come to relax and have fun at the Porch while enjoying our custom menu created by the incredible chefs of ‘wichcraft.”
“Creating jobs and making New York City an easier place to visit and do business is a central part of our five borough economic opportunity plan, and Southwest’s arrival at LaGuardia is a great step forward on both those fronts,” said Robert C. Lieber, New York City Deputy Mayor for Economic Development. “There’s no better time to visit New York City and experience all the wonderful cultural amenities, restaurants, shopping, neighborhoods and waterfront and now, it’s easier than ever to get here.”
Located in Bryant Park’s southwest corner, the Porch is open to all New Yorkers and visitors who simply want to relax, read, converse or have a bite and a drink.
“The new Southwest Porch at Bryant Park will offer the thousands of tourists and residents who pass by Bryant Park every day a great new place to relax and enjoy all that Midtown has to offer,” said Adrian Benepe, New York City Parks & Recreation Commissioner. “This is another great example of great, free summer activities - from concerts to kayaking, we hope that all New Yorkers and visitors will have a chance to take advantage of the outdoors this season.”
“The launch of Southwest’s new service offers visitors one more easy and affordable way to travel to New York City,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “New York City provides unprecedented value to visitors of all ages and interests, and we invite everyone to experience the five boroughs this summer.”
The Southwest Porch at Bryant Park features a small bites menu in collaboration with ‘wichcraft, the popular casual eatery founded by Tom Colicchio, renowned chef and owner of the Craft family of restaurants and head judge of Bravo’s Top Chef, with partners Sisha Ortuzar and Jeffrey Zurofsky, that has been a pillar of the Bryant Park community since 2003. Menu highlights include New York Meatball Sandwich, Southwestern Pork Sandwich and Baltimore Crab Sandwich. On tap are local beers, such as a specially brewed Southwest Summer Ale from Blue Point Brewery and selection of summer cocktails.
“On behalf of my partners Sisha Ortuzar and Jeffrey Zurofsky, we are pleased to welcome Southwest Airlines to New York City and very proud to work with them on the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park,” said Tom Colicchio, co-founder of ‘wichcraft. “For ‘wichcraft, this is a natural collaboration and a great opportunity to work with a company that cares about its customers as much as we do. We hope our fellow New Yorkers come out to our spot in Bryant Park to put their feet up and enjoy summer in the city with a touch of Southwest’s hospitality.”
“The Porch will be an outstanding amenity available to all Bryant Park patrons,” said Daniel A. Biederman, executive director of the Bryant Park Corporation. “It’s another example of how Bryant Park continues to innovate to better serve all New Yorkers.”
The Southwest Porch at Bryant Park welcomes approximately 175 visitors to the southwest corner of Bryant Park. The new venue is open to the public at all times, with extra services available from June 19th through mid-September, Monday through Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Fridays from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
About ‘wichcraft
Tom Colicchio, chef and owner of the Craft family of restaurants and head judge of Bravo's Top Chef, founded 'wichcraft with partners Sisha Ortuzar and Jeffrey Zurofsky in 2003. The three had a long history of working together in fine dining restaurants such as Manhattan's top-rated Gramercy Tavern and Craft, but this collaboration was decidedly more casual. They created 'wichcraft, a sandwich service like no other.
The 'wichcraft menu includes breakfast items, sandwiches, soups, salads, and pastries - all made from scratch daily. We prepare almost everything in our own kitchen, which allows us to hand pick each ingredient and ensure unparalleled quality. We slow roast, braise, and poach our sandwich meats; we hand pull mozzarella; and we bake pastries and spin ice creams each morning. Whenever possible we work with small producers, use greenmarket vegetables and serve sustainably raised meat. And when there's a great local artisanal item that just can't be improved upon it very likely may end up on the menu. Even our beverages come from companies that share our commitment to quality, including coffee from La Columbe, soda from Boylan Bottling Company and teas from In Pursuit of Tea.
About Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines, the nation's leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines--offering a reliable product with exemplary customer service, and no hidden fees. 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 recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest Airlines even more convenient. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 65 cities (adding Boston Logan in the fall) in 33 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 employees systemwide.
About Bryant Park Corporation
Bryant Park Corporation (BPC), a private not-for-profit company, was founded in 1980 to renovate, finance, and operate Bryant Park in New York City. BPC is funded by income from events, concessions, and corporate sponsors, as well as an assessment on neighboring properties, and does not accept government or philanthropic monies. In addition to providing security and sanitation services, and tending the park's lush lawn and seasonal garden displays, BPC provides public amenities and activities, including movable chairs and tables, cafe umbrellas, restaurants, food kiosks, world-class restrooms, and a wide range of free events throughout the year. The Midtown park, conveniently located at 6th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets, is visited by over 5 million people each year and is one of the busiest public spaces in the world. BPC’s website, www.bryantpark.org, is available for more detailed information and a schedule of upcoming events.
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