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Who was the first CEO of Southwest Airlines?
Founder and Chairman Emeritus Herb Kelleher is a Founder of Southwest Airlines Co. and served as Executive Chairman from March 1978 to May 2008 and as President and CEO from September 1981 through June 2001. The above information remains current as to office address; phone numbers; etc.
Who is the owner of Southwest Airlines?
Bob Jordan (Feb 1, 2022–)Southwest Airlines / CEORobert Jordan has been the CEO of Southwest Airlines since February 1, 2022. On June 23, 2021 it was announced that he would succeed Gary C. Kelly as the sixth CEO of the company in February 2022. Previously he was Executive Vice President of Corporate Services for Southwest Airlines. Wikipedia
How was Southwest Airlines founded?
The airline was established on March 15, 1967, by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King as Air Southwest Co. and adopted its current name, Southwest Airlines Co., in 1971, when it began operating as an intrastate airline wholly within the state of Texas, first flying between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.
What is the story behind Southwest Airlines?
History: Southwest Airlines was incorporated in Texas and commenced Customer Service on June 18, 1971, with three Boeing 737 aircraft serving three Texas cities—Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio—and grew to become a major airline in 1989 when it exceeded the billion-dollar revenue mark.
What is Southwest's biggest hub?
DenverDenver is firmly number-one The Colorado airport has one in every 16 Southwest flights.
Is Southwest owned by American?
Southwest Airlines Co., American airline founded by Herbert Kelleher and Rollin King in 1966 and incorporated in 1967 as Air Southwest Company. The current name was adopted in 1971. The company features low-fare, no-frills air service with frequent flights of mostly short routes.
Why do you want to work at Southwest?
Why do you want to work for Southwest Airlines? State you love working with people and you love aviation and you know working at Southwest will allow you to do both. Say you would be proud to work for one of FORTUNE'S World's Most Admired Companies.
What is the oldest airline?
KLMKLM (Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij in full) is generally recognized as the oldest airline still in service, under its original name. It was established in October 1919 by a group of investors and its first director Albert Plesman.
Which airline has the biggest fleet?
American AirlinesAmerican Airlines has operated 174,465 flight services in June 2022 and this is the largest air carrier in the world in terms of fleet size, the number of scheduled passengers transported and revenue per passenger mile.
What makes Southwest different from other airlines?
Southwest Airlines is more flexible than most other large airlines. Southwest is the only large U.S. airline that is also a low-cost carrier. Southwest Airlines' strategy emphasizes recruiting and retaining motivated employees. Southwest continues to improve its business model and practices.
What is Southwest motto?
A Symbol of Freedom Campaign With expansion to more cities and low fares that continued to make flying accessible, Southwest declared to Customers what the Company stood for in its popular tagline: “You are now free to move about the country.”
Why is Southwest so good?
Southwest Airlines is the world's largest low-cost carrier, and it's no wonder they're so popular. Southwest offers some extremely low fares with the addition of standard perks like free checked bags, inflight refreshments, and award winning customer service.
Is Southwest privately owned?
Southwest Airlines, headquartered in Dallas, is a publicly held airline. Before 1967, when it was incorporated, the company was known as Air Southwest.
Who did Southwest merger with?
AirTran AcquisitionAirTran Acquisition – Southwest Airlines.
Where is the headquarters of Southwest Airlines?
Dallas, TXSouthwest Airlines / Headquarters
Who is Bob Jordan Southwest?
Bob Jordan serves as Chief Executive Officer at Southwest Airlines, and will assume the President Role on Jan. 1, 2023 as President Mike Van de Ven transitions to an Executive Advisor role at Southwest. Bob is a 34-year Southwest veteran and began his career as a programmer in Technology.
When did Southwest Airlines start?
The airline was established on March 15, 1967, by Herb Kelleher as Air Southwest Co. and adopted its current name, Southwest Airlines Co., in 1971, when it began operating as an intrastate airline wholly within the state of Texas, first flying between Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.
Who is the CEO of Southwest Airlines?
Gary C. Kelly is chairman and CEO of Southwest Airlines. Kelly replaced former CEO Jim Parker on July 15, 2004, and assumed the title of president on July 15, 2008, replacing former president Colleen Barrett. In July 2008, Herb Kelleher resigned from his position as chairman. Barrett left her post on the board of directors and as a corporate secretary in May 2008 and as president in July 2008. Kelleher was president and CEO of Southwest from September 1981 to June 2001. On June 23, 2021, Southwest announced that chairman and CEO Gary Kelly would transition roles in early 2022, becoming the carrier's executive chairman with the desire to serve in that role through at least 2026 at the discretion of the board of directors. Executive vice president of Corporate Services Robert Jordan will become Kelly's successor as CEO effective February 1, 2022. Jordan also will join the board at that time.
How many Max 7 planes will Southwest Airlines buy in 2021?
In March 2021 Southwest announced an order for 100 MAX 7 jets. The order established Southwest Airlines as the largest purchaser of the Boeing jet model. In June 2021, they increased their overall purchase over of Max 7 planes to 234 jets in total.
What is Southwest Airlines' business model?
Southwest has been a major inspiration to other low-cost carriers, and its business model has been repeated many times around the world. The competitive strategy combines a high level of employee and aircraft productivity with low unit costs by reducing aircraft turn around time particularly at the gate. Europe's EasyJet and Ryanair are two of the best-known airlines to follow Southwest's business strategy in that continent. Other airlines with a business model based on Southwest's system include Canada's WestJet, Malaysia's AirAsia (the first and biggest LCC in Asia), India's IndiGo, Australia's Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas (although Jetstar now operates three aircraft types), Philippines 's Cebu Pacific, Thailand's Nok Air, Mexico's Volaris, Indonesia's Lion Air and Turkey's Pegasus Airlines. Although Southwest has been a major inspiration to many other airlines, including Ryanair, AirAsia, Lion Air, and Jetstar, the management strategies, for example, of Ryanair, AirAsia, Lion Air, and Jetstar differ significantly from those of Southwest. All these different management strategies can be seen as means of differentiation from other competitors in order to gain competitive advantages.
How many bags can you change on Southwest Airlines?
The company permits two free-of-charge checked bags per passenger, and passengers are permitted to change their flight up to 10 minutes prior to their flights without extra charge. In the event of a cancellation, passengers are refunded a travel credit in the amount spent on their ticket, and the credit may be used toward other Southwest Airlines or Southwest Vacations purchase within a year of the original ticket purchase.
What happened to the female flight attendant on the plane?
On May 23, 2021, a female passenger aboard a Southwest flight repeatedly punched a female flight attendant in the face after landing at San Diego International Airport, causing the attendant to lose two teeth. The passenger was subsequently charged with battery causing serious bodily injury.
How many states does Southwest fly to in 2021?
As of 2021. [update] Southwest scheduled flights to over 100 destinations in 45 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Southwest does not use the traditional hub and spoke system of other major airlines, preferring a point-to-point system combined with a rolling hub model in its base cities.
Who is the founder of Southwest Airlines?
Herb Kelleher, founder of Southwest Airlines, died Thursday at the age of 87.
Who is the CEO of American Airlines?
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker said Kelleher’s vision “brought the freedom of travel to hundreds of millions of people, and his appetite for taking on any real or perceived battle was unmatched.”.
What did Kelleher promise to customers?
He also reminisced about a promotion from Southwest Airlines’ early days. Kelleher promised customers they’d pay the lowest fare possible. But if they paid a higher fare, “we would give you a free bottle of whiskey.”
What did the company say about Kelleher?
The company announced his passing in a statement that described Kelleher as a “pioneer, a maverick, and an innovator.” The cause of death was not disclosed.
Who fought the Southwest ban?
Kelleher personally fought the ban, without charging a penny in legal fees, all the way to the Supreme Court of Texas, which eventually ruled in favor of Southwest.
Is Kelleher still with Southwest?
Kelleher left his last formal role with Southwest a decade ago, but the airline remains a major force in low-cost air travel. Unlike many rivals, it doesn’t charge fees for things like baggage or changing tickets. He is survived by his wife and three of their four children, according to a blog post from the company.
What type of aircraft did Braniff fly?
And, Braniff even leased a Boeing 727-200 to Southwest – the only non-737 aircraft type the airline ever operated. In 1983, the airline again leased two 727s for a year. Another two came on in 1984. The 727 was the only non-737 aircraft that Southwest Airlines flew. Photo: Jon Proctor via Wikimedia Commons.
What happened to Southwest Airlines after deregulation?
Deregulation. After deregulation, Southwest sought to expand. The airline was given traffic rights between HOU and New Orleans (MSY), began service to Amarillo (AMA), and continued to grow with orders for more Boeing 737s. In 1978, Southwest and Braniff announced that they had settled their differences.
How many 737s did Southwest have in 2000?
In 2000, Southwest ordered a firm 94 new 737 Next-Generation aircraft on top of the 74 jets already on order. The airline also retained options for over 190 aircraft.
How much did Braniff cost between Dallas and Houston?
Braniff was offering $13 fares between Dallas and Houston – which was Southwest’s only profitable route at the time as a hope to wind down the competition. Southwest responded by offering a base $13 fare or a full fare ticket for $26 that included a free bottle of premium liquor.
What liquors did Southwest sell in Texas?
During this fare war, Southwest became the largest distributor in Texas of premium liquors like Chivas, Crown Royal, and Smirnoff for two months. 1973 saw the airline turn its first yearly profit. By this time, the carrier still only had three 737s in its fleet. Southwest ruffled plenty of feathers at its start.
How many aircraft did Southwest have in 1995?
By the end of 1995, Southwest had 224 aircraft in its fleet and had grown its recognition in the United States. Continuing its trend from the previous decade, Southwest maintained high customer satisfaction.
Did Southwest Airlines sell Boeing 737-200s?
At the same time, Boeing offered to sell Southwest three 737-200s, which the carrier took up. Braniff and Texas International (previously Trans Texas) still held issues with Southwest Airlines and attempted to prevent the airline’s operations. The 737-200 was a big part of Southwest’s history.
Who is the co-founder of Southwest Airlines?
Exit Full Screen. They call them Herb stories, wacky encounters with zany Herb Kelleher, the co-founder of Southwest Airlines, who died Thursday at age 87. The countless times he lit up a cigarette in public places, "no smoking" signs be damned, including a packed Phoenix resort ballroom where he was receiving a leader of the year award in 2005.
How many aircraft does Southwest have?
Southwest currently serves 99 cities in the USA and abroad with 742 aircraft. It is the country's largest carrier by domestic passengers and earns strong marks for customer service.
Who was the shrewd businessman who came to every battle determined to win?
For all his hilarity, Kelleher was a shrewd businessman who came to every battle determined to win, Franke said.
Does Southwest have second class?
Current CEO Gary Kelly likes to say there is no second class on Southwest.
How old was Herb Kelleher when he died?
Herb Kelleher died last week at the age of 87 , and with him went a true business original. As I take stock of his life and legacy, what strikes me is how much all of us can learn from what he created and how he led—that you can create vast economic value based on genuine and generous human values, why what you hope to achieve in the marketplace must be reflected in what you build in the workplace, how in an age of disruption and transformation, simplicity and consistency matter most.
What was Herb Kelleher's goal?
It was a cause. The goal was not just to keep fares low and fly to more cities. The goal, in his words, was to “democratize the skies” — to make it as easy, affordable, and flexible, for average Americans to travel as it had always been for business travelers and the affluent. That mission may seem quaint now (mainly because Kelleher succeeded), but back when he started it was a revolutionary aspiration — and an essential contribution to America’s quality of life.
How much was Southwest IPO worth?
A $10,000 investment in the Southwest IPO was worth $10.2 million thirty years later.
Is everyone at Southwest a freedom fighter?
Everybody at Southwest is a freedom fighter.”. By the way, that “everybody” is important — and a second essential piece of Kelleher’s legacy. Anyone with a passing familiarity with Herb Kelleher and Southwest knows about his fun-loving antics and the company’s high-energy culture.
Who is Herb Kelleher?
Most everyone who met Herb Kelleher, the larger-than-life cofounder and longtime CEO of Southwest Airlines, has a story about his or her initial encounter with the man, so I’ll begin this reflection on his legacy with mine. It was the late 1980s.
Who is the founder of Southwest Airlines?
The Legacy of Herb Kelleher, Cofounder of Southwest Airlines. He showed that companies can create economic value based on human values. Summary. Herb Kelleher, the larger-than-life cofounder and longtime CEO of Southwest Airlines, died last week, and with him went a true business original.
Who is Bill Taylor?
Bill Taylor is the cofounder of Fast Company and the author , most recently, of Simply Brilliant: How Great Organizations Do Ordinary Things in Extraordinary Ways. Learn more at williamctaylor.com.
Who is the founder of Southwest Airlines?
Herb Kelleher, the founder of Southwest Airlines, who sadly died today at the age of 87, was a maverick in every sense of the word. He started his innovative, cost-cutting airline when flights were expensive and few people could afford them.
What did Herb Kelleher do to make Southwest Airlines more affordable?
When he started up Southwest Airlines (then called Air Southwest) in 1967, Herb Kelleher changed all that. By reducing costs throughout the system , he made flying affordable for everyone. In memory of this tremendously successful entrepreneur, maverick, and business innovator, here are 17 Herb Kelleher quotes that will inspire your own success. 1.
Who was the banker who created Southwest Airlines?
Kelleher and one of his law clients, Texas businessman Rollin King, created the concept with banker John Parker that later became Southwest Airlines.
When did Air Southwest start?
After incorporating the company initially as "Air Southwest Co." in 1967, Kelleher and King faced four years of setbacks and legal challenges from competitors that culminated in winning key cases before the Supreme Court of the United States in December 1970 and the Supreme Court of Texas in June 1971.
When did Kelleher leave Southwest?
In July 2007, Southwest announced that Kelleher would step down as chairman and resign from the board of directors in May 2008. The retirement of Barrett as president was announced at the same time, though the two would remain full-time employees for another five years.
Overview
History
Southwest Airlines was founded in 1966 by Herbert Kelleher and Rollin King, and in 1967 it was incorporated as Air Southwest Co. Three other airlines took legal action to try to prevent the company from its planned strategy of undercutting their prices by flying only within Texas and thus being exempt from various regulations. The lawsuits were resolved in 1970, and in 1971 the airline began operating regularly scheduled flights between Dallas Love Field and Houston and bet…
Destinations
As of 2021 , Southwest scheduled flights to over 100 destinations in 42 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Southwest does not use the traditional hub and spoke system of other major airlines, preferring a point-to-point system combined with a rolling hub model in its base cities.
Fleet
As of February 2022 , Southwest Airlines operates 735 aircraft. In its history, Southwest Airlines has operated only Boeing 737 jetliners, except from 1979 to 1980 and 1983 to 1985 when it leased and operated a few Boeing 727-200s. Southwest is the largest operator of the Boeing 737 worldwide. Using a single basic aircraft type allows Southwest pilots and flight attendants to crew any aircraft in the fleet without restrictions.
Passenger experience
Southwest solely offers economy-class seats, and does not have business- or first-class cabins on its aircraft. Still, Southwest does offer many amenities, as follows:
The company permits two free-of-charge checked bags per passenger, and passengers are permitted to change their flight up to 10 minutes prior to their f…
Corporate affairs
The Southwest Airlines headquarters is located on the grounds of Dallas Love Field in the Love Field neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. Chris Sloan of Airways Magazine stated it is "as much a living, breathing museum and showcase for the "culture that LUV built" as they are corporate offices."
On September 17, 2012, Southwest broke ground on a new Training and Opera…
Accidents and incidents
Southwest Airlines accidents and incidents include four deaths: one accidental passenger death inflight, two non-passenger deaths on the ground, and one passenger death from injuries he sustained when subdued by other passengers while attempting to break into the cockpit of an aircraft.
Southwest has had nine accidents, including two aircraft hull losses. The airline was considered …
See also
• Air transportation in the United States
• Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic
• Southwest Effect
• Transportation in the United States
A Texan Carrier
Leading Up to Deregulation
- In 1973, Southwest and Braniff entered a "$13 Fare War." Braniff was offering $13 fares between Dallas and Houston – which was Southwest's only profitable route at the time as a hope to wind down the competition. Southwest responded by offering a base $13 fare or a full fare ticket for $26 that included a free bottle of premium liquor. During this fare war, Southwest became the lar…
Deregulation
- After deregulation, Southwest sought to expand. The airline was given traffic rights between HOU and New Orleans (MSY), began service to Amarillo (AMA), and continued to grow with orders for more Boeing 737s. In 1978, Southwest and Braniff announced that they had settled their differences. And, Braniff even leased a Boeing 727-200 to Southwest– the only non-737 aircraft …
Further Growth in The 1980s
- In 1984, Southwest Airlines took its first Boeing 737-300. The first flight for the aircraft would take place on December 17th, 81 years to the day from the Wright Brother's flight. The Southwest jet was aptly named "Kitty Hawk." In 1985, Southwest began flights out of St. Louis (STL) and Chicago-Midway (MDW). At the same time, the airline expanded flights out of Phoenix (PHX) an…
The 1990s
- Southwest inaugurated its first Boeing 737-500 in early 1990. The airline billed it as the newest, most technologically advanced, and quietest aircraft in the world at the time. In May 1990, the airline added its 100th airplane, also a Boeing 737-500. Much of the early 1990s was devoted to growth. The airline inaugurated services to Baltimore– now one of the airline's largest operating …
The 2000s; Post-9/11
The Merger with Airtran
- In September 2010, Southwest announced that it would purchase all outstanding common stalk of AirTran, thus acquiring the carrier. The next month, Southwest announced plans to offer WiFi onboard its fleet. Southwest continued to move on with its merger with AirTran in 2011 as the Department of Justice (DOJ) reviewed the merger. The airline reached agreements with its pilot…
Modernizing The Airline
- In 2011, Southwest became the launch customer for the Boeing 737 MAX. The airline is one of the biggest customers and operators of the aircraft. By the end of 2011, the carrier had 698 aircraft in its fleet and had flown over 100 million revenue passengers. On March 1st, 2012, Southwest and AirTran received FAA approval for a single operating certificate, which was a crucial part of the i…
Industry Crises
- In 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX was universally grounded following two fatal crashes. The long-lasting saga caused significant operational struggles for Southwest, which is one of the MAX's largest customers. The following year, the pandemic shook up services further, with ongoing social restrictions forcing US carriers to suspend numerous flights. Notably, the company lost $…