Southwest announces details of Atlanta service

ATLANTA (AP) - Southwest Airlines says will begin service to Atlanta in February with 15 daily flights from five other cities.

Atlanta is the biggest U.S. city not served by Southwest. But the airline gained an opening there in May when it bought AirTran Airways, which has a hub in Atlanta.

The deal will put Southwest in direct competition in Atlanta with Delta Air Lines Inc.

Southwest said Monday that its planned 15 daily departures are a modest beginning. Top Southwest officials have said Atlanta could eventually become its biggest operation.

Southwest plans to begin flying on Feb. 12 from Atlanta to Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Austin, Texas.