Southwest Airline’s “Transfarency” ad, not so fare to dolphins

As part of Southwest Airlines “Transfarency” campaign, a recent advertisement highlights a number of tropical get away spots the airline flies to.  When a customer asks about potential travel destinations, Southwest responds with the Jax Jones song refrain of “yeah yeah yeah.”  Unfortunately, when the customer asks if he can “swim with dolphins” when traveling, Southwest eagerly responds with more “yeah yeah yeah’s”. 

In 2014, WDC welcomed the news that Southwest had ended its 25 year relationship with SeaWorld after the release of Blackfish which raised concerns about the treatment of whales in captivity.  However, orcas are not the only species that suffer when confined.  Dolphins continue to be taken from the wild to supply the growing demand for swimming with dolphins and dolphin encounters. In captivity, dolphins have a lower survival rate than in the wild and the stress of their confinement often results in behavioral abnormalities, illness, and lowered resistance to disease and death.  

Southwest Airlines, WDC is asking you to take our Pledge Never to Plunge and end your promotion of swimming with dolphins.  Yes to low fares and faraway places but NO to swimming with dolphins!