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Southwest Airlines

Coordinates: 32°50′48″N 96°51′40″W / 32.8467°N 96.861°W / 32.8467; -96.861 (Southwest Airlines Headquarters)
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For other uses, see Southwest Airlines (disambiguation).

32°50′48″N 96°51′40″W / 32.8467°N 96.861°W / 32.8467; -96.861 (Southwest Airlines Headquarters)

Southwest Airlines
Logo (2014–present)
IATA ICAO Call sign
WN SWA SOUTHWEST
FoundedMarch 15, 1967 (1967-03-15) (as Air Southwest)
Commenced operationsJune 18, 1971 (1971-06-18) (as Southwest Airlines)
AOC #SWAA304A
Operating bases
Focus cities
Frequent-flyer programRapid Rewards
Fleet size746
Destinations99
Traded as
HeadquartersDallas, Texas, U.S.
Key people
RevenueIncrease US$ 21.171 billion (2017)[1]
Operating incomeDecrease US$ 3.515 billion (2017)[1]
Net incomeIncrease US$ 3.488 billion (2017)[1]
Total assetsIncrease US$ 25.110 billion (2017)[1]
Total equityIncrease US$ 10.430 billion (2017)[1]
Employees~57,674 (2018)[1]
Websitewww.southwest.com

Southwest Airlines Co. is a major United States airline headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and is the world’s largest low-cost carrier.

The airline was established in 1967 by Herb Kelleher[2] 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 flight between Dallas and San Antonio.[3] The airline has more than 58,000 employees as of September 2018 and operates more than 4,000 departures a day during peak travel season.[4][5] As of 2014, it carried the most domestic passengers of any U.S. airline.[6] As of October 2018, Southwest Airlines has scheduled services to 99 destinations in the United States and ten additional countries, with services to Turks & Caicos having begun on November 5, 2017. Service to four destinations in Hawaii is coming in late 2018 or early 2019 subject to FAA approval, with routes to be decided on and announced in the near future[7].

Southwest Airlines has only operated Boeing 737 jetliner models, except for a period from 1979 to 1987 when it leased and operated several Boeing 727-200s from Braniff International Airways. Southwest is the largest operator of the Boeing 737 worldwide, with over 740 in service, each averaging six flights per day.[4]

History

Main article: History of Southwest Airlines

In 1966 Southwest Airlines was founded by Herbert Kelleher and Rollin King, and in 1967 it was incorporated as Air Southwest Co. It was not until 1971 that the airline began scheduled flights from Dallas Love Field. The same year the organization adopted the name Southwest Airlines Co. The expansion of flights started in 1975, to cities throughout Texas, and in 1979 Southwest began flying to neighboring states. Service to the East and the Southeast started in the 1990s.[8]

Corporate identity

Advertising

The company has always employed humor in its advertising. Former slogans include "Love Is Still Our Field," "Just Plane Smart," "The Somebody Else Up There Who Loves You," "You're Now Free To Move About The Country," "THE Low Fare Airline," "Grab your bag, It's On!" and "Welcome Aboard." The airline's current slogan is "Low fares. Nothing to hide."

A Southwest 737-800 in the Heart livery at BWI Airport

In March 1992, shortly after Southwest started using the "Just Plane Smart" motto, Stevens Aviation, which had been using "Plane Smart" for its motto, advised Southwest that it was infringing on its trademark.[9][10]

Instead of a lawsuit, the CEOs for both companies staged an arm wrestling match. Held at the now-demolished Dallas Sportatorium (the famed wrestling facility) and set for two out of three rounds, the loser of each round was to pay $5,000 to the charity of his choice, with the winner gaining the use of the trademarked phrase. A promotional video was created showing the CEOs "training" for the bout (with CEO Herb Kelleher being helped up during a sit up where a cigarette and glass of whiskey (Wild Turkey 101) was waiting and distributed among the employees and also as a video press release along with the video of the match itself. Herb Kelleher lost the match for Southwest, with Stevens Aviation winning the rights to the phrase. Kurt Herwald, CEO of Stevens Aviation, immediately granted the use of "Just Plane Smart" to Southwest Airlines. The net result was both companies having use of the trademark, $15,000 going to charity, and good publicity for both companies.[11]

Honor Flight Network

Southwest Airlines is the official commercial airline of the Honor Flight Network.[12] Honor Flights are dedicated to bringing aging and ailing veterans to visit the national monuments in Washington, D.C., devoted to the wars in which they served.[13]

Corporate affairs

Headquarters

Southwest Airlines headquarters in Dallas

The Southwest Airlines headquarters is located on the grounds of Dallas Love Field in the Love Field neighborhood of Dallas, Texas.[4][14]

On September 17, 2012, Southwest broke ground on a new Training and Operational Support (TOPS) building.[15] The TOPS Building is across the street from its current headquarters building. The property includes a two-story, 100,000 square foot Network Operations Control (NOC) building that can withstand an EF3 tornado. It also includes a four-story, 392,000 square foot office and training facility with two levels devoted to each function. The new facilities house 24-hour coordination and maintenance operations, customer support and services, and training. The project was completed in late 2013, with occupancy beginning in 2014.

On June 2, 2016, Southwest broke ground on its new office and training facility known as Wings. The newest addition to the corporate campus is composed of a 420,000 square foot six story office building, and 380,000 square foot adjoining structure called the LEAD (Leadership Education and Aircrew Development) Center which serves as the new pilot training facility. The LEAD Center has capacity to house and support 18 flight simulators. It is designed to be expanded to accommodate up to 26 simulator bays. The building opened on April 3, 2018[16].

Finances

For the fiscal year 2017, Southwest Airlines reported earnings of US$3.488 billion, with an annual revenue of US$21.171 billion, an increase of 3.7% over the previous fiscal cycle. Southwest Airlines's shares traded at over $56 per share, and its market capitalization was valued at over US$28.4 billion in October 2018.[17]

Year Revenue
in mil. USD$ 		Net income
in mil. USD$ 		Total Assets
in mil. USD$ 		Price per Share
in USD$ 		Employees
2005 7,584 484 14,003 13.89
2006 9,086 499 13,460 15.52
2007 9,861 645 16,772 13.93
2008 11,023 178 14,068 11.91
2009 10,350 99 14,269 7.53
2010 12,104 459 15,463 11.79
2011 15,658 178 18,068 9.83
2012 17,088 421 18,596 8.53
2013 17,699 754 19,345 13.53 44,831
2014 18,605 1,136 19,723 27.84 46,278
2015 19,820 2,181 21,312 39.81 49,600
2016 20,425 2,244 23,286 40.72 53,500
2017 21,171 3,488 25,110 56.04 56,100

Employment

As of September 30, 2018, Southwest Airlines has 58,559 active fulltime equivalent employees.[18]

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 his position as Chairman. Colleen Barrett left her post on the Board of Directors and as Corporate Secretary in May 2008 and as President in July 2008. Kelleher was President and CEO of Southwest from September 1981-June 2001.[19]

On January 10, 2017, Southwest announced changes to the Company's executive Leadership ranks with Thomas M. Nealon named as President and Michael G. Van de Ven named as the airline's Chief Operating Officer.[20]

Labor relations

Southwest employees are generally members of a union. The Southwest Airline Pilots' Association, a company union not affiliated with the Air Line Pilots Association, represents the airline's pilots.[21] The Aircraft Maintenance Technicians are represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).[22] Customer Service Agents and Reservation Agents are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union (IAM). Flight Dispatchers, Flight Attendants, Ramp agents and Operations agents are represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU).

Impact on carriers

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 high level of employee and aircraft productivity with low unit costs by reducing aircraft turn around time particularly at the gate.[23] 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.[23] All these different management strategies can be seen as means of differentiation from other competitors in order to gain competitive advantages.[24]

Lobbying against Texas rail

Southwest has fought against the development of a high-speed rail system in Texas.

In 1991, a plan was made to connect the Texas Triangle (Houston – Dallas – Fort Worth – San Antonio) with a privately financed high speed train system that would quickly take passengers from one city to the next. This was the same model Southwest Airlines used 20 years earlier to break into the Texas market where it served the same cities.

Southwest Airlines, with the help of lobbyists, created legal barriers to prohibit the consortium from moving forward and the entire project was eventually scuttled in 1994, when the State of Texas withdrew the franchise.[25] This was also aided by lobbying from hotels and fast food restaurants. [25]

Destinations

Main article: List of Southwest Airlines destinations

As of October 2018, Southwest Airlines has scheduled flights to 99 destinations in 40 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.[26] It operates crew bases at the following airports: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love, Denver, Houston–Hobby, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Orlando, and Phoenix–Sky Harbor.[27] Southwest does not use the "hub and spoke" system of other major airlines, preferring the "point-to-point" system, combined with a "rolling hub" model in its larger cities.

Top cities

Southwest Airlines top served cities (as of June 26, 2018)[28]
City Daily departures Number of gates Cities served nonstop Service began
Chicago–Midway 234 32 65 1985
Baltimore–Washington 201 32 59 1993
Las Vegas 213 24 56 1982
Denver 193 25 61 2003
Dallas–Love 180 18 53 1971
Phoenix 178 24 50 1982
Houston–William P. Hobby 155 24 53 1971
Los Angeles 132 10 32 1982
Atlanta 121 18 39 2012
Oakland 125 14 34 1989

Airline partnerships

Present

Southwest does not currently partner with any other airline.

Past

  • Icelandair: In 1997, Southwest and Icelandair entered into interline and marketing agreements allowing for joint fares, coordinated schedules, transfer of passenger luggage between the two airlines in Baltimore and a place connecting passengers between several U.S. cities and several European cities.[29] The frequent flyer programs were not included in the agreement. This arrangement lasted for several years but ended when Icelandair's service from BWI to KEF ended in January 2007.[30]
  • ATA Airlines: In a departure from its traditional "go it alone" strategy, Southwest entered into its first domestic codesharing arrangement with ATA, which enabled Southwest Airlines to serve ATA markets in Hawaii, Washington, D.C. and New York City.
At the time of ATA's demise in April 2008, the airline offered over 70 flights a week to Hawaii from Southwest's focus cities in PHX, LAS, LAX and OAK with connections available to many other cities across the United States. The ATA/Southwest codeshare was terminated when ATA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 3, 2008. Southwest ultimately acquired the operating certificate and some of the landing rights of ATA in the ensuing proceedings.[31]
  • WestJet: On July 8, 2008, Southwest Airlines signed a codeshare agreement with WestJet of Canada, giving the two airlines the ability to sell seats on each other's flights.[32] Originally, the partnership was to be finalized by late 2009, but had been postponed due to economic conditions.[33] On April 16, 2010, Southwest and WestJet airlines amicably agreed to terminate the implementation of a codeshare agreement between the two airlines.
  • Volaris: Southwest signed its second international codeshare agreement on November 10, 2008, with Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris. The agreement allowed Southwest to sell tickets on Volaris flights.[34] However, on February 22, 2013, the connecting agreement was terminated. It was said to be mutual between the airlines. Most industry experts believe that the expansion of the subsidiary of Southwest, AirTran Airways, into more Mexican markets, was a main reason for the termination of the agreement.[35]
  • AirTran Airways: After acquiring AirTran Airways in 2011, Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways took the first step in connecting their networks on January 26, 2013, by offering a small number of shared itineraries in five markets. The agreement ended after AirTran became fully integrated into Southwest on December 28, 2014.

Fleet

As of October 2018, Southwest Airlines operates the following aircraft:[36]

Southwest Airlines fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
Boeing 737-700 513 — 143
Boeing 737-800 207 — 175
Boeing 737 MAX 7 — 30 150 Launch customer; scheduled to be delivered from 2019.[37][38]
23 aircraft deferred past 2023.[39]
Boeing 737 MAX 8 26 234 175 Entered revenue service on October 1, 2017.
Received the 10,000th 737.[38]
Total 746 264

Since its inception Southwest Airlines has almost exclusively operated Boeing 737 aircraft (except for a brief period when it leased and flew some Boeing 727-200 aircraft). Southwest is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 737, and was the launch customer of the 737-300, 737-500, 737-700, and 737 MAX 8. Southwest Airlines is also poised to be the launch customer for the 737 MAX 7.

Southwest added the Boeing 737-700 to its fleet on December 17, 1997. Southwest added the Boeing 737-800 to its fleet on April 11, 2012. The aircraft has 175 seats, 32 more than the former largest 737s in Southwest's fleet.[40]

After completing the purchase of AirTran Airways, Southwest Airlines acquired AirTran's existing fleet of Boeing 717 aircraft. However, Southwest elected not to integrate them into its fleet and currently leases them to Delta Air Lines.[41][42]

On December 13, 2011, Southwest placed a firm order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, becoming the launch customer for the type (although the first delivery of the 737 MAX 8 was to Malindo Air).[43][43]

On May 15, 2013, Southwest became the launch customer for the Boeing 737 MAX 7 aircraft and now has 30 MAX 7 aircraft on order. The first delivery is expected in 2019.[44]

On August 29, 2017, Southwest Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8, making it the first airline in North America to do so. The airline was also the first in North America to operate the aircraft on scheduled revenue passenger flights, which began October 1, 2017.[45] On January 2, 2018, Southwest converted 40 options into firm orders for the Boeing 737 MAX 8, bringing total orders of the variant to more than 250 aircraft.[46] On the same day, the airline also announced that it was deferring 23 deliveries of the Boeing 737 MAX 7 to 2023-2024 and beyond.[39] On April 26, 2018, Southwest exercised a further 40 options on the Boeing 737 MAX 8, converting them to firm orders. This establishes the airline as the largest 737 MAX customer with 280 total orders for the MAX 8 variant, and 310 aircraft total for the 737 MAX family. [47]

On March 13, 2018, Southwest Airlines took delivery of the 10,000th Boeing 737, setting the Guinness World Record for Boeing which started producing the 737 in January 1967. This beat the previous record of 5,000 set back in 2006. This will be flown under tail number N8717M. There is a special registration plate commemorating the milestone inside the L1 door.[48]

On October 1, 2018, Southwest Airlines took a delivery of its final Boeing 737-800. All future deliveries for the foreseeable future will be a type of the Boeing 737 MAX.[49]

Historical fleet

Southwest Airlines fleet history
Aircraft Introduction Retired Replacement(s) Notes
Boeing 727-200 1979 1987 Boeing 737-300 Leased from Braniff International Airways, and People Express Airlines.
Boeing 737-200 1971 2005 Boeing 737-700 Southwest's first aircraft type.
Boeing 737-300 1984 2017 Boeing 737-700
Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737 MAX 8 		Launch customer.
Boeing 737-500 1990 2016 Boeing 737-700 Launch customer.

Livery/paint

Original Desert Gold livery, used until 2008

Southwest's original primary livery was "Desert Gold" (Gold, Red and Orange, with pinstripes of white separating each section of color). The word Southwest appeared in white on the gold portion of the tail. On the original three 737-200s, from June 1971, on the left side of the aircraft, the word Southwest was placed along the upper rear portion of the fuselage, with the word Airlines painted on the tail N21SW. On the right side, the word Southwest was on the tail, but also had the word Airlines painted on the upper rear portion of the fuselage.N20SW. This was later revised to simply include "Southwest" on both sides of the tail. The airline's Boeing 727-200s, operated briefly in the late 1970s and early 1980s, featured other variations on the livery; one was painted in a shade of ochre instead of gold with stylized titles on the forward fuselage and an "S" logo on the tail, while others bore the standard livery (albeit in metallic gold) with the word "Southwest" moved from the tail to the forward fuselage.[50][51]

Canyon Blue livery used from 2001 - 2014

Southwest introduced the canyon blue livery on January 16, 2001, the first primary livery change in Southwest's then-30-year history. Spirit One was the first aircraft painted in the canyon blue fleet color scheme. The second livery replaces the former primary color, "Desert Gold", with "Canyon Blue" and changes the Southwest text and pinstripes to gold. The orange and red stripes continued to be used. The pinstripe along the aircraft was drawn in a more curved pattern instead of the straight horizontal line separating the colors in the original. For aircraft equipped with blended winglets, the blended winglets were painted to include the text Southwest.com. Southwest completed repainting its entire fleet with the new "Canyon Blue" livery in early 2010; however, Southwest Classic (N714CB), The Herbert D. Kelleher (N711HK) and N792SW, (the final aircraft delivered from Boeing in the original livery, now repainted to Heart), which are Boeing 737–700 aircraft, retained a simplified version of the original "Desert Gold" livery.

Heart livery used 2014–present

A new livery, named "Heart" and developed with firms GSD&M, Lippincott, VML, Razorfish, and Camelot Communications, was unveiled on September 8, 2014.[52] The new livery uses a darker shade of blue. The orange stripe on the tail is changed to yellow; both the red and yellow stripes are now enlarged in reverse pattern; and the belly of the aircraft is now in blue and features a heart, which has been a symbol for Southwest during its 43-year history. Additionally, the pinstripes are changed to a silver-gray; and the Southwest text, now white, has been moved to the front of the fuselage. Lettering is in a font custom designed by Monotype, Southwest Sans. The web address was moved from the winglets to the engines.

Special liveries and decals

Some Southwest aircraft feature special liveries or are named with special decals. Southwest gives these aircraft special names, usually ending in "One." All special liveries painted prior to Spirit One originally wore the standard Desert Gold, red and orange colors on the vertical stabilizer and rudder. Subsequent special liveries featured tails painted with the canyon blue livery, with all earlier specials repainted with the Spirit livery tail. Aircraft painted in special liveries have white painted winglets. Missouri One was the first special livery to feature a modified version of the Heart tail design, with the red and yellow ribbons shrunk in order to fit the Southwest wordmark as it is too large to be used on the fuselage as on other aircraft. Previous special livery aircraft are currently being repainted with the new tail design.[4]

Passenger experience

Southwest operates using a unique boarding process.
Southwest Airlines spirit interior introduced in 2001, succeeded by the evolve interior

Southwest Airlines uses the motto "Low fares. Nothing to hide. That's Transfarency." This motto refers to their avoidance of burdening passengers with hidden or additional fees. While most U.S. airlines now charge passengers for checked luggage, Southwest continues to permit 2 free checked bags per passenger, making the airline a favorite of many travelers. Regarding last-minute itinerary changes, Southwest also does not charge any change fees; passengers are permitted to change their flight as late as two hours prior to their flights, and only pay the difference if their new flight is more expensive than the original flight (or receive a credit if the new flight is less expensive than the original flight). 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 any other Southwest Airlines or Southwest Vacations purchase within a year of the original ticket purchase.

Southwest offers free in-flight non-alcoholic beverages and offers alcoholic beverages for sale for $6-7/beverage, with Rapid Rewards members eligible to receive drinks vouchers with their tickets. Free alcoholic drinks are offered on popular holidays such as Valentine's Day and Halloween, provided the passenger is at least 21. Southwest has complimentary pretzels on all flights, and most flights have free Nabisco snacks. Southwest is known for colorful boarding announcements and crews that burst out in song, which is quite popular among passengers.[79][80][81][82]

Southwest maintains excellent customer satisfaction ratings; according to the Department of Transportation (DOT) Southwest ranks number one (lowest number of complaints) of all U.S. airlines for customer complaints. Southwest Airlines has consistently received the fewest ratio of complaints per passengers boarded of all major U.S. carriers that have been reporting statistics to the DOT since 1987, which is when the DOT began tracking customer satisfaction statistics and publishing its Air Travel Consumer Report.

Prior to 2007, Southwest boarded passengers by grouping the passengers into three groups, labeled A, B and C. Passengers would line up at their specified letter and board.[83]

In 2007, Southwest modified their boarding procedure by introducing a number. Each passenger receives a letter (A, B or C) and a number 1 through 60. Passengers line up in numerical order within each letter group and choose any open seat on the aircraft as part of Southwest's open seating policy.[83] According to a 2012 study by Mythbusters, this is the fastest method currently in use for non-first class passengers to board a plane; on average, it is 10 minutes faster than the standard method used by most airlines of boarding from the back frontward.[84]

In-flight entertainment

File:SWAEvolve737800.jpg
A Southwest 737-800 with the evolve interior and old branding, succeeded by the Heart interior

All Southwest Airlines aircraft are equipped with Wi-Fi, free streaming live television, and movies on demand for a fee. After completing a testing phase that began in February 2009, Southwest announced on August 21, 2009 that it would begin rolling out in-flight Wi-Fi Internet connectivity via Global Eagle Entertainment's satellite-broadband based product. Southwest began adding Wi-Fi to its aircraft in the first quarter of 2010. The airline began testing streaming live television in the summer of 2012 and video on demand in January 2013.[85][86] As of 2017, live in-flight video and realtime flight tracking information via Wi-Fi are available for free to all passengers, with full Internet access available at a fee for regular passengers and free to A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards members. Starting in October 2018, Southwest started offering free messaging-only (iMessage and WhatsApp) Internet access to all passengers on selected aircraft.[87]

Evolve interior

On January 17, 2012, Southwest introduced a plan to retrofit its fleet with a new interior. Improvements include a modern cabin design, lighter and more comfortable seats made of eco-friendly products, increased under-seat space, new netted seatback pockets to provide more knee room, a new fixed-wing headrest and improved ergonomics. All Boeing 737-700s and 115 -800s have the Evolve Interior.[88] Though not originally planned, because of space saved, Southwest was able to fit an extra row of seats on its planes. All Boeing 737-800s have the Boeing Sky Interior, which features sculpted sidewalls and redesigned window housings, along with increased headroom and LED mood lighting.

Heart interior

On June 20, 2016, Southwest introduced its newest interior, called the Heart Interior. It includes the widest seat to fit a Boeing 737 that provides additional space for passengers and also includes a new galley.[89] The seat is being delivered on all new 737-800s and 737 MAX aircraft.[90] All current evolve equipped 737s will be retrofitted with new bulkheads and bold blue seat cushions to match the look of the heart interior.

Rapid Rewards

Southwest first began to offer a frequent-flyer program on June 20, 1987, calling it The Company Club. Unlike many competitors' programs that were based on miles flown, The Company Club credited for trips flown regardless of distance.[91] Southwest Airlines renamed its frequent flyer program Rapid Rewards on April 25, 1996.[92]

The original Rapid Rewards program offered one credit per one-way flight from an origin to a destination including any stops or connections on Southwest Airlines. When 16 credits were accumulated in a 24-month period, Southwest awarded one free round-trip ticket that was valid for 12 months.[93]

On March 1, 2011, Rapid Rewards changed to a points system based on ticket cost. Members earn and redeem points based on a three-tier fare scale multiplier and the cost of the ticket. Changes also included no blackout dates, seat restrictions or expiring credits. It also adds more options to use points.[94][95][96]

Southwest Vacations

Southwest Vacations is the vacation package provider for Southwest Airlines. Southwest Vacations was founded May 14, 1989, and has since been operated by The Mark Travel Corporation (TMTC). The parent company of TMTC is La Macchia Enterprises, which was founded in 1983. Southwest Vacations’ products primarily focus on flight and hotel vacation packages to destinations within the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.[97][98]

Accidents and incidents

Southwest Airlines accidents and incidents include two deaths: one accidental passenger death inflight, one non-passenger death on the ground.

Southwest has had seven accidents, including two aircraft hull losses. The airline was considered among the ten safest in the world in 2012.[99]

Southwest Airlines incidents and accidents
Flight Date Aircraft Location Description Casualties
1455 March 5, 2000 Boeing 737-300 N668SW Burbank, California The aircraft overran the runway upon landing at Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport, now called Hollywood Burbank Airport, Burbank, California, injuring 43.[100] The accident resulted in the dismissal of the Captain. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. 43 injuries
1248 December 8, 2005 Boeing 737-700 N471WN Chicago, Illinois The aircraft overran the runway during landing at Chicago Midway International Airport in heavy snow conditions. A six-year-old boy died after the car he was in was struck by the aircraft after it slid into a street. Passengers on board the aircraft and on the ground reported several minor injuries. One death (on ground); several injuries
2294 July 13, 2009 Boeing 737-300 N387SW In flight The flight from Nashville International Airport to Baltimore-Washington International Airport was forced to divert to Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia, after a hole formed on the top of the aircraft's fuselage near the tail, resulting in depressurization of the cabin and deployment of the oxygen masks. The aircraft landed safely.[101] None
812 April 1, 2011 Boeing 737-300 N632SW In flight The crew of the flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Sacramento International Airport were forced to declare an emergency and divert to Yuma International Airport after a hole appeared in the top of the aircraft fuselage. The aircraft landed approximately 40 minutes after takeoff from Phoenix.[102] Two minor injuries
345 July 22, 2013 Boeing 737-700 N753SW Queens, New York The flight from Nashville International Airport crash-landed at New York's LaGuardia Airport after touching down hard, nose-gear first. "[T]he nose gear gave away so violently that the jet's electronics bay was penetrated by the landing gear with only the right axle still attached."[103] The aircraft traveled 633 metres (2,077 ft) down the runway with its nose scraping, generating a shower of sparks, coming to rest slightly off the runway.[104][105] Damage to the 13-year-old aircraft was substantial.[106] The captain was fired, and the aircraft was ultimately scrapped.[107] Ten minor injuries
3472 August 27, 2016 Boeing 737-700 N766SW In flight above Florida The flight from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to Orlando International Airport suffered an uncontained engine failure while at cruising altitude. The engine cowling suffered major damage, with the inlet being completely torn off. Fragments from the engine also caused a gash in the fuselage. The 16-year-old Boeing 737-700 diverted and landed without further incident at Pensacola International Airport. Passengers say that they "heard a loud boom and smoke trailing from the left engine, and saw metal flapping after the smoke cleared."[108] None
1380 April 17, 2018 Boeing 737-700 N772SW In flight above Pennsylvania The flight from New York-LaGuardia to Dallas made an emergency landing at Philadelphia International Airport after the left engine suffered an uncontained engine failure and debris smashed a passenger window. The resulting depressurization pushed a passenger partially out of the window, causing critical injuries which led to her death.[109][110][111] One death; eight minor injuries[112][110]

Controversies and passenger incidents

See also: Access Now v. Southwest Airlines and Flying while Muslim § Southwest Airlines

On June 22, 2011, a March 25 recording of an in-flight transmission of Southwest pilot Captain James Taylor apparently unintentionally broadcasting a conversation with his first officer was released to the press. The conversation was peppered with foul language directed at gay, overweight, and older flight attendants. According to Southwest, the pilot was reprimanded and temporarily suspended without pay and received diversity education before being reinstated. Captain Taylor also sent an e-mail apology to all of Southwest's employees, especially the crew members who were criticized.[113][114][115]

On September 26, 2017, a woman was removed from a Southwest flight after claiming to have a life-threatening allergy to dogs, two of which were present on the aircraft with one being a certified service animal, and having to be removed by law enforcement after failing to follow the instructions of airline staff. After learning about the woman's allergy, Southwest employees requested that she prove her condition with the correct documentation. When she failed to do so, staff asked her to exit the aircraft multiple times. She refused, which prompted law enforcement to step in and remove the passenger. The interactions between the woman and the officers were recorded and posted online to many social media platforms, and gained much attention.[116][117]

On December 29, 2017, a family was kicked off a flight from Chicago Midway Airport to Santa Ana, California because of an unconfirmed lice accusation. The family did not have lice after all, and was reaccommodated on the next flight.[118]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Southwest Airlines Co. 2017 Annual Report (Form 10-K)". sec.gov. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. January 2018.
  2. ^ "Southwest Airlines – A Brief History". southwest.com. Southwest Airlines Co. 2009. Archived from the original on August 18, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2011. More than 38 years ago, Rollin King and Herb Kelleher got together to start a different kind of airline. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "1966 to 1971". swamedia.com. Southwest Airlines Co. 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011. March 15, 1967 Air Southwest Co. is incorporated.
  4. ^ a b c d "Fact Sheet". swamedia.com. Southwest Airlines Co. 2016. Archived from the original on May 3, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "April 2016 Schedule is Here! No Foolin'! - Nuts About Southwest". Nuts About Southwest.
  6. ^ "The world's largest airlines". The Economist.
  7. ^ "Southwest Airlines Intends To Serve Hawaii Nonstop From California Airports In Oakland, San Diego, San Jose, & Sacramento". Southwest Airlines Newsroom. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  8. ^ "Southwest Airlines Co. - American corporation". britannica.com. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  9. ^ "Malice in Dallas part 1" "Youtube" Retrieved on October 8, 2009
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Air travel in the United States.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Southwest Airlines.
  • Official website
  • Corporate media site
  • Southwest Airlines Seating Charts on SeatGuru.com
  • Southwest Airlines Fleet Age
  • Business data for Southwest Airlines:
  • Southwest Airlines' Yahoo! Finance Profile
  • StartupStudio – Interview with Herb Kelleher on the founding of Southwest Airlines, recommendations for entrepreneurs and rule of thumb for raising venture funding
  • Iflyswa.com (Official website archive)
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