Southwest Airlines Awards 185 Students Travel Tickets in 2024

Southwest Airlines has awarded 185 students across the U.S. with four round-trip tickets through its ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award Program. Now in its 20th year, the program, in partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), helps students stay connected with their families while studying far from home.

Since its inception in 2004, the program has supported over 1,500 students, helping them manage family responsibilities from a distance while pursuing their education. This year’s recipients represent more than 90 institutions and can use their tickets to travel between any Southwest Airlines domestic destination.

Laura Nieto, Southwest Airlines’ Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility, praised the program’s impact: “Southwest Airlines is committed to supporting students as they pursue their dreams and maintain family connections.”

Despite its success, the program faced controversy earlier this year. In May 2024, the American Alliance for Equal Rights filed a lawsuit, claiming the program violated federal civil rights laws by excluding non-Hispanic students. The airline responded by agreeing to open the program to all students, regardless of race or ethnicity, though the case is still ongoing with a hearing scheduled for November 12, 2024.

Related News : https://airguide.info/?s=Southwest+Airlines