Launching Getaways by Southwest
I led the digital product team for the launch of Getaways by Southwest, a brand-new way for customers to book vacation packages including air, hotels, and rental cars directly with Southwest Airlines.
The Vision
This product represents a significant expansion of Southwest’s digital offerings, bringing the airline’s signature flexibility and customer-first approach to the vacation package market. Our team designed and delivered an experience that embodies Southwest values while opening new revenue streams.
Key Features
Our team delivered a comprehensive booking platform with Southwest-style flexibility:
- Two free checked bags on all Getaways bookings
- Flexible cancellation and change options with customer-friendly terms
- Rapid Rewards integration earning 5 points per booking
- Modern payment options including Apple Pay and PayPal
Cross-Functional Collaboration
This launch exemplified Southwest’s collaborative culture. I coordinated digital efforts across:
- Product Development and Technology teams
- Customer & Brand Planning & Delivery
- Marketing and Product & Loyalty
- Legal and Supply Chain
- Strategic partners including OpenJaw Technologies and Slalom
Launch Scope
We launched in over 30 markets on day one, with destinations spanning:
- Hawaii and Las Vegas
- Florida and other US cities
- Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America
My Role
As digital product leader, I was responsible for the customer-facing booking experience, ensuring it met Southwest’s high standards for usability while supporting complex backend integrations. From the Command Center on launch day, our team monitored performance and customer feedback in real-time.
This launch represents just the beginning of where Getaways will go—with continued enhancements planned based on customer feedback and usage patterns.
Launched in 30+ markets including Hawaii, Vegas, Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America on day one.
