Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine, Your destination for travel resources and entertainment.

Turning Dreams Into Reality

Phoenix Employees and the Make-A-Wish Foundation create magical moments for children.

Serving Customers is a true LUV affair. It is my privilege as a Customer Service Manager at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to lead a staff of Customer Service Agents who not only deliver legendary Southwest hospitality but also exhibit their Servant’s Heart each and every day. 

As a national sponsor of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Southwest Airlines provides travel to “wish kids,” and the Phoenix Station works to create special moments for children suffering from life-threatening illnesses as they travel to their wish destinations. The Station even has a Make-A-Wish Team, made up of dedicated Phoenix Employees who rally around the ultimate goal of facilitating a smooth travel experience and showering these kids and their families with LUV.

Days before a wish kid is set to travel, Southwest receives information about the child’s age, likes, and family. Employees work to create a journey through the airport that is fit for the special person he or she is. We create posters and goodie bags filled with fun treats, and we take special measures to ensure the family’s time through security is stress-free. The entire staff is involved in dry runs several days prior to departure, and there is constant communication among Flight Crews, local Employees, and the TSA to ensure each wish kid’s trip is everything he or she dreamed.

Recently, a wish kid named Cole visited the Phoenix airport. Team Phoenix created a truly exceptional experience for this avid baseball fan—including a group sing-along to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” The smiles on Cole and his parents’ faces summed up why Southwest takes the time to help these special families. May is Wish Month, and Team Phoenix looks forward to providing an extra-special touch to the travel experience of the special guests we will welcome this month.

Everyone has an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. At Southwest Airlines, there is a strong commitment to the communities where the airline’s Employees work and live. It is an honor to serve a cause that allows people to give from the heart, to bring others together, and to inspire change. —K.J. Thomson