Southwest Airlines Just Announced New Routes, and the Internet Is Convinced They Accidentally Leaked a Treasure Map
Phoenix, AZ — In a move that has sent the aviation and meme worlds into a synchronized tailspin, Southwest Airlines unveiled a massive expansion of their route network today, adding service to over a dozen new cities including Bozeman, MT, and Hyannis, MA. But while travelers are thrilled about easier access to flyover country, the internet has zeroed in on the real story: the press release map. Observers quickly noticed that the graphic for the new routes seems to connect dots in a pattern that, if squinted at just right, forms the silhouette of a cowboy riding a giant tortoise into the sunset. "It’s either a brilliant marketing ploy for 'the long haul to relaxation,' or the intern who designed this finally snapped," tweeted @MidwestMythos. Analysts are split on whether this is a genuine viral gaffe or a masterclass in "engaged confusion," but one thing is certain: Southwest Airlines new routes are now the most scrutinized cartography since 'National Treasure'. Critics call it a "slapdash squiggle"; fans call it "modern dada." Either way, bookings for Austin to Amarillo just spiked 400% among conspiracy theorists.