Southwest
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Executive Summary
Southwest Airlines is the largest low cost airline carrier in the United States. Southwest is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The airline was established in 1967. It carries the most domestic passengers of any US airline, as of June 5, 2011. Southwest uses only Boeing 737’s, except for a short time during the 1970’s and 1980’s when they used Boeing 727’s. As of August 2012, Southwest is the largest domestic passenger airline operator of the Boeing 737’s worldwide, with over 572 in service, each operating an average of six flights per day.
In May 2011, Southwest acquired Orlando-based AirTran Airways, with integration of the carriers expected to be complete by 2015. On March 1, 2012, the company was issued a single operating certificate so that technically Southwest and AirTran became one airline.
Southwest has more than 46,000 employees as of August 2012, and operates more than 3,400 flights per day. As of December 2012, Southwest Airlines has scheduled service to 78 destinations in 39 states.
Background
Southwest Airlines traces its roots to the March 16, 1967, incorporation of Air Southwest Co. by Rollin King and Herb Kelleher to provide service within the state of Texas. Kelleher believed that by providing intrastate service within Texas, the airline could avoid federal regulation. Three airlines (Braniff,Trans-Texas, and Continental Airlines) started legal action which was not resolved for three years. Air Southwest prevailed in 1970 when the Texas Supreme Court upheld Air Southwest’s right to fly within Texas. The Texas decision became final on December 7, 1970 when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case, without comment.
On March 29, 1971 Air Southwest Co. changed its name to Southwest Airlines Co. Operating from its Dallas, Texas, headquarters, Southwest Airlines began service on June 18, 1971 between the Texas cities of Houston, Dallas and San Antonio using three
Executive Summary
Southwest Airlines is the largest low cost airline carrier in the United States. Southwest is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The airline was established in 1967. It carries the most domestic passengers of any US airline, as of June 5, 2011. Southwest uses only Boeing 737’s, except for a short time during the 1970’s and 1980’s when they used Boeing 727’s. As of August 2012, Southwest is the largest domestic passenger airline operator of the Boeing 737’s worldwide, with over 572 in service, each operating an average of six flights per day.
In May 2011, Southwest acquired Orlando-based AirTran Airways, with integration of the carriers expected to be complete by 2015. On March 1, 2012, the company was issued a single operating certificate so that technically Southwest and AirTran became one airline.
Southwest has more than 46,000 employees as of August 2012, and operates more than 3,400 flights per day. As of December 2012, Southwest Airlines has scheduled service to 78 destinations in 39 states.
Background
Southwest Airlines traces its roots to the March 16, 1967, incorporation of Air Southwest Co. by Rollin King and Herb Kelleher to provide service within the state of Texas. Kelleher believed that by providing intrastate service within Texas, the airline could avoid federal regulation. Three airlines (Braniff,Trans-Texas, and Continental Airlines) started legal action which was not resolved for three years. Air Southwest prevailed in 1970 when the Texas Supreme Court upheld Air Southwest’s right to fly within Texas. The Texas decision became final on December 7, 1970 when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case, without comment.
On March 29, 1971 Air Southwest Co. changed its name to Southwest Airlines Co. Operating from its Dallas, Texas, headquarters, Southwest Airlines began service on June 18, 1971 between the Texas cities of Houston, Dallas and San Antonio using three
References: . 1. "Southwest Airlines Newsroom: Releases". Swamedia.com. Retrieved Dec. 1, 2012 2. "Southwest Airlines – A Brief History". southwest.com. Southwest Airlines Co. 2009. Retrieved Dec. 1, 2012. 3. International Air Transport Association. "Scheduled Passengers Carried". Retrieved Dec. 3, 2012 4. Ranson, Lori (May 2, 2011). "Southwest closes AirTran acquisition". Flight International. Reed Business Information. Retrieved Dec. 5, 2012. 5. Friedberg, Kevin and Jackie “Nuts” Southwest Airlines’ Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success (1996) rations plan, and should be at least two pages in length.