In honor of National Cherry Day on July 16, Southwest Airlines hosted a cherry-themed flight to celebrate the onboard launch of Coca-Cola® Cherry Zero Sugar. On a July 16 flight from Austin to Nashville, Customers received a limited-edition cherry-red luggage tag, made from Gen Phoenix recycled leather. The luggage tags represent the latest milestone in a 17-year partnership between Southwest Airlines and Gen Phoenix that has diverted more than 1,200 tons of leather waste from landfill, doubled aircraft seat cover lifespan, generated more than $10 million in operational savings, and expanded beyond aircraft initiatives such as Southwest’s award-winning Repurpose with Purpose program that gives retired aircraft materials a second life through community-focused projects.
In fact, Repurpose with Purpose partner Magpies & Peacocks recently presented an exhibit at Houston Hobby Airport featuring one-of-a-kind athletic fashion handcrafted from upcycled seat leather, welcoming international visitors during the summer soccer games.
Also, Turnip Green Creative Reuse (TGCR), in partnership with Southwest Airlines’ Repurpose with Purpose program and Lane Motor Museum, presents Purpose Takes Flight: A Second Journey, a community art exhibition featuring 11 Nashville artists who have transformed retired Southwest aircraft seat leather into original works of art. This exhibit opened this week and features wearable leather shoes with Nashville street maps cyanotype-printed on fabric; a leather floral sculpture exploring transformation and nature; an immigrant journey told through collaborative mixed media; and a hand-stitched leather wall piece honoring Southwest’s ticker symbol, LUV.
Southwest’s Repurpose with Purpose program has donated more than $2 million and 1.4 million pounds of leather globally to nonprofit partners since 2014 and reflects the airline’s Heart for serving communities where they fly.