The Wright Amendment, the baldly anti-competitive 1979 law designed to protect DFW International Airport, dies for good on October 13, when the ban expires on direct flights from Love Field to anywhere that isn't in Texas or the four states that border it.
And what exciting new destinations might be in store for the soon-to-be liberated Love Field travelers? Southwest Airlines, the main beneficiary of the Wright Amendment's demise, announced the itinerary at a press conference this morning.
Southwest Airlines Chairman Gary Kelly said words, as did Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. The takeaway, though, is this. Come October 13, you will be able to fly direct from Love Field to:
Baltimore/Washington (BWI)
Denver
Las Vegas
Orlando
Chicago Midway
On November 2, Southwest will begin service to:
Atlanta Nashville Washington, D.C. (Reagan National) Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood Los Angeles (LAX) New York (LaGuardia) Phoenix San Diego Orange County/Santa Ana Tampa
You are now free to move about the country. No, like, for real this time.
Send your story tips to the author, Eric Nicholson.