# Southwest Airlines

> airline of the United States

**Wikidata**: [Q503308](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q503308)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest_Airlines)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/southwest-airlines

## Summary
Southwest Airlines is a major American airline and the world’s largest low-cost carrier, founded on March 15, 1967, by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, it operates as a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and is known for its point-to-point flight routing and open-seating policy.  

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: March 15, 1967 (began operations June 18, 1971).  
- **Founders**: Herb Kelleher and Rollin King.  
- **Headquarters**: Dallas, Texas, U.S.  
- **Stock Exchange**: Listed on the NYSE (ticker symbol: LUV).  
- **Revenue (2023)**: $21.97 billion.  
- **Employees (2023)**: 59,793.  
- **Fleet**: Primarily operates Boeing 737 aircraft (e.g., 737-800, 737 MAX).  
- **Subsidiaries**: Formerly owned AirTran Airways (acquired 2011).  
- **Notable Incidents**: Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 (2018 engine failure), Flight 1248 (2005 runway overrun), and Flight 1455 (2005 landing accident).  
- **Awards**: Ranked among the world’s top airlines for customer satisfaction.  
- **Membership**: Part of the S&P 500 index.  

## FAQs
**When was Southwest Airlines founded, and who created it?**  
Southwest Airlines was founded on March 15, 1967, by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King, with operations beginning on June 18, 1971.  

**What makes Southwest Airlines unique compared to other U.S. airlines?**  
Southwest is distinct for its low-cost, point-to-point routing model, open seating, and no-change-fee policy. It exclusively operates Boeing 737 aircraft, simplifying maintenance and training.  

**What major incidents has Southwest Airlines experienced?**  
Notable incidents include Flight 1380 (2018 engine failure with one fatality), Flight 1248 (2005 runway overrun at Chicago Midway), and Flight 1455 (2005 landing accident in Burbank, California).  

**Is Southwest Airlines publicly traded?**  
Yes, Southwest is a public company listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol LUV and is part of the S&P 500 index.  

**What aircraft does Southwest Airlines use?**  
The airline primarily operates Boeing 737 variants, including the 737-800 and 737 MAX, maintaining one of the world’s largest fleets of this model.  

## Why It Matters
Southwest Airlines revolutionized the U.S. aviation industry by pioneering the low-cost carrier model, democratizing air travel through affordable fares and high operational efficiency. Its focus on rapid turnaround times and point-to-point routes disrupted traditional hub-and-spoke systems, forcing competitors to adapt. As one of the largest U.S. airlines by passenger traffic, it plays a critical role in domestic travel infrastructure, employing tens of thousands and contributing significantly to the national economy. Its influence extends to global aviation practices, particularly in cost management and customer experience.  

## Notable For
- **Largest Low-Cost Carrier**: Dominates the U.S. market with its budget-friendly, no-frills service.  
- **Boeing 737 Fleet**: Operates the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, emphasizing standardization.  
- **Rapid Growth**: Expanded from intrastate Texas flights to a national network spanning over 100 destinations.  
- **No-Change-Fee Policy**: A customer-centric approach distinguishing it from competitors.  
- **High Employee Satisfaction**: Consistently ranked for strong company culture and workforce morale.  
- **Notable Leadership**: Herb Kelleher’s charismatic leadership and Gary C. Kelly’s long tenure as CEO shaped its success.  

## Body

### History and Founding  
Southwest Airlines was established on March 15, 1967, by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King, initially conceptualized as a intrastate Texas airline. After overcoming regulatory hurdles, it commenced operations on June 18, 1971, with flights between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. The airline’s early strategy focused on low fares, frequent departures, and secondary airports, challenging established carriers.  

### Corporate Structure and Ownership  
Southwest is a public company (NYSE: LUV) and S&P 500 component, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. As of 2023, it employed 59,793 staff and generated $21.97 billion in revenue. The airline has acquired subsidiaries like AirTran Airways (2011) and maintains partnerships with Boeing for its exclusive 737 fleet.  

### Operations and Fleet  
Southwest operates a uniform fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, including the 737-800 and 737 MAX, ensuring cost efficiency and simplified maintenance. It serves over 100 U.S. destinations and select international routes, emphasizing point-to-point travel over traditional hubs. The airline is known for open seating, no assigned seats, and a “no-change-fee” policy.  

### Incidents and Safety  
Southwest has experienced notable incidents, including Flight 1380 (2018), where an engine failure caused one fatality; Flight 1248 (2005), which overshot a Chicago runway; and Flight 1455 (2005), which landed too fast in Burbank. These events led to increased regulatory scrutiny and safety reforms.  

### Leadership and Culture  
Herb Kelleher, a co-founder and longtime CEO, cultivated Southwest’s iconic culture, prioritizing employee satisfaction and customer service. Gary C. Kelly succeeded him, leading the airline from 2004 to 2022. The company is recognized for its strong workplace environment, with employees often cited as key to its success.  

### Financial Performance  
Southwest reported net profits of $2.46 billion in 2023, rebounding from pandemic losses. Its revenue growth reflects post-COVID-19 travel demand and strategic expansions. The airline’s focus on fuel hedging and operational efficiency helps mitigate industry volatility.  

### Legacy and Influence  
Southwest’s low-cost model transformed U.S. aviation, forcing legacy carriers to adopt competitive pricing. Its operational strategies, such as rapid aircraft turnaround, have been widely emulated. The airline’s cultural emphasis on fun and employee empowerment has been studied in business literature, cementing its status as a industry disruptor and innovator.

## References

1. Handbook of Texas Online
2. Crunchbase
3. [Incoming CEO at Southwest Air faces numerous challenges. Associated Press. 2022](https://apnews.com/article/business-dallas-airlines-robert-jordan-ff55429d21a268e39f33b4619f1c6d48)
4. GRID Release 2017-01-10
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. datos.bne.es
7. [Source](https://www.nyse.com/quote/XNYS:LUV)
8. [Southwest Airlines Reviews. Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Southwest-Airlines-Reviews-E611.htm)
9. [Source](https://iabsc.org/members-directory/#!biz/id/56991f394f952ecc74467819)
10. ROR release v1.19
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. [Source](https://www.southwest.com/)
13. [Source](http://www.quotenet.com/stock-price/LUV)
14. OpenCorporates
15. [Help Center | Southwest Airlines](https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/More-phone-numbers-contact-options)
16. Global LEI Index
17. [Source](https://community.southwest.com/)
18. [Source](http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/southwest-airlines-co-history/)
19. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
20. [Source](https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/LUV/southwest-airlines/revenue)
21. [Form 10-K. 2010](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000119312510017191/d10k.htm)
22. [Form 10-K. 2011](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000119312511026045/d10k.htm)
23. [Form 10-K. 2012](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000119312512049647/d293991d10k.htm)
24. [Form 10-K. 2013](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000119312513041608/d480533d10k.htm)
25. [Form 10-K. 2014](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000009238014000010/luv-12312013x10k.htm)
26. [Form 10-K. 2015](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000009238015000027/luv-12312014x10k.htm)
27. [Form 10-K. 2016](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000009238016000175/luv-12312015x10k.htm)
28. [Form 10-K. 2017](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000009238017000029/luv-12312016x10k.htm)
29. [Form 10-K. 2018](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000009238018000031/luv-12312017x10k.htm)
30. [Form 10-K. 2020](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000009238020000024/luv-12312019x10k.htm)
31. [Form 10-K. 2021](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000009238021000033/luv-20201231.htm)
32. [Form 10-K. 2022](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000009238022000007/luv-20211231.htm)
33. [Form 10-K. 2023](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000009238023000010/luv-20221231.htm)
34. Library of Congress Name Authority File
35. [Form 10-K. 2019](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000092380/000009238019000022/luv-12312018x10k.htm)
36. GRID Release 2016-12-06
37. [Source](https://www.dnb.com/de-de/upik-profile/055329262/southwest_airlines_co_)
38. RERO
39. [Source](https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/LUV:US)
40. [Source](https://cage.dla.mil/Search/Details?id=281708)
41. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
42. MAK
43. YouTube API
44. Southwest Airlines Company Culture | Comparably. Comparably
45. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
46. [Source](https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/sitemap.html)
47. [Southwest Airlines](https://mobile.southwest.com/contact-us)
48. [Contact Us - Reservations and Baggage | Southwest Airlines](https://www.southwest.com/html/contact-us/)
49. [Source](https://www.southwest.com/html/contact-us/)
50. Wikirate