In an unusual finding, Southwest Airlines was the fifth most searched internet travel site, according to the most recent report from Hitwise.
“We keep things simple and send customers directly to us through Southwest.com and it has been a success,” said Whitney Eichinger, a spokesman who said Southwest has avoided joining third party Web sites.
Southwest’s ranking was behind several mapquest sites but ahead of “driving directions, Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz” and “hotels.”
Another reason cited for the airline’s popularity:
“Our Web site is very easy to use. You know you are booking straight from the source, and we offer hotels, cars and cruises.”
Report by David Wilkening
