Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines
Airline	Southwest Airlines
Fleet size	817
Destinations	121
Founded	15 March 1967
Founder	Herbert Kelleher, Rollin King
Headquarters	Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Key people	Bob Jordan (CEO)
Website	southwest.com

Southwest Airlines is a major American airline headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and is the world's largest low-cost carrier. Founded in 1967 by Herbert Kelleher and Rollin King, the airline pioneered a unique point-to-point route system and a distinct corporate culture that emphasized efficiency and employee engagement. It began operations in 1971 with service connecting Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, and has since grown into one of the largest carriers in the United States by domestic passengers carried.

History

The airline was incorporated in 1967 as Air Southwest Co. by Rollin King and his lawyer, Herbert Kelleher, with the initial goal of providing intrastate service within Texas. After a protracted legal battle with competitors like Braniff International Airways and Trans World Airlines, the Texas Supreme Court upheld its right to fly, leading to its first revenue flight in 1971. Under Kelleher's leadership as CEO, the carrier expanded beyond Texas in the late 1970s, entering markets such as Chicago and Detroit. A pivotal moment was the 1978 Airline Deregulation Act, which allowed the airline to rapidly expand its point-to-point network. Landmark acquisitions include the 2011 purchase of AirTran Airways, which provided its first international routes. The airline's history is marked by consistent profitability, a rarity in the volatile aviation industry.

Operations and business model

The airline operates a low-cost carrier model centered on high aircraft utilization, a single aircraft type, and a point-to-point route network that avoids major hub congestion. This strategy minimizes turnaround times at airports like Baltimore and Chicago Midway. Its unique open seating policy and lack of baggage fees for the first two checked bags are key differentiators. The corporate culture, famously documented in books like *Nuts!*, emphasizes employee empowerment and fun, contributing to high productivity and customer loyalty. Its robust pilots' association and other unions have historically engaged in collaborative negotiations, supporting operational stability.

Fleet

The airline operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet, one of the largest in the world, which simplifies maintenance, training, and scheduling. As of 2023, its primary aircraft are variants of the Boeing 737 Next Generation and the Boeing 737 MAX, including the 737-7 and 737-8. This fleet commonality is a cornerstone of its cost-efficiency. The retirement of the Boeing 717 fleet acquired from AirTran Airways was completed in 2014. The carrier is a major customer for Boeing and its orders for the 737 MAX are critical to the manufacturer's production line.

Destinations and route network

It serves over 120 destinations across 42 states, plus several international countries in the Caribbean and Latin America, including Mexico, Jamaica, and The Bahamas. While it serves major airports like Denver and Las Vegas, it often utilizes secondary or less congested airports such as Chicago Midway International Airport and Dallas Love Field. Its largest bases by departures are Dallas Love Field, Denver International Airport, and Chicago Midway International Airport. The route network is densest in the Western United States and Sun Belt states, avoiding the traditional hub-and-spoke model of legacy carriers like American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Corporate affairs

The corporate headquarters is located in Dallas, Texas, near Dallas Love Field. Key leadership has included CEOs Herbert Kelleher, Gary C. Kelly, and current CEO Bob Jordan. It is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker LUV. The airline is known for its proactive hedging of jet fuel prices, which has historically provided a cost advantage. Its marketing and advertising, often involving humorous campaigns, have been highly distinctive in the industry. The carrier maintains major operational and training facilities in Phoenix, Arizona and Dallas, Texas.

Accidents and incidents

The airline has maintained one of the safest records in commercial aviation, with no fatal accidents in its history. The most serious incident was the 2005 runway overrun at Chicago Midway International Airport during a snowstorm, where a Boeing 737 slid onto a street, resulting in one fatality in a vehicle. In 2018, an engine failure on Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 led to a passenger fatality, the first in-flight fatality in the carrier's history. The National Transportation Safety Board investigated both events, leading to industry-wide safety recommendations. Other incidents have included minor ground collisions and emergency landings, but its overall safety performance is regularly commended by agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration.

Category:Airlines of the United States Category:Companies based in Dallas Category:Low-cost airlines