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Episode Summary

In this milestone episode of From the Runway Up, Becky and Caitlin sit down with Adam DeCaire, Senior Vice President of Network Planning & Network Operations Control at Southwest Airlines, for a long-awaited conversation that East Tennessee travelers have been hoping for: Why Southwest Airlines chose Knoxville.

Adam reveals why Southwest chose Knoxville, what the airline looks for when entering a new market, and how Knoxville fits into Southwest’s broader network strategy. From aircraft selection to connection opportunities to the Southwest customer experience, this is the insider conversation Knoxville has been waiting for.

Topics Covered

• The decades-long effort to recruit Southwest Airlines to Knoxville

• Adam’s personal career story: from throwing bags in Cleveland to leading network planning

• How airlines evaluate new markets and why Knoxville’s timing finally aligned

• The importance of UT, tourism, and regional demand in the decision

• The Southwest aircraft fleet—no regional jets, only Boeing 737s

• The “Southwest experience,” empowered employees, and customer-first culture

• What success looks like for the airline and the community

Connect & Stay Updated

• Book flights at Southwest.com
• Previous Episode about bringing carriers to TYS: In The Winner’s Circle: Air Service at TYS.