Swot Analysis: Southwest Airlines
SWOT Analysis: Southwest Airlines SWOT Analysis: Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines made its first voyage back in 1971 with service based in the cities of Dallas, Houston and San Antonio (Brief History, 2009). 38 years later, Southwest Airlines has more than 3300 flights a day and serves 66 cities in 33 states (Factsheet, 2009). Southwest Airlines has demonstrated a variety of strengths in its 38 year presence. Recent economic events have also caused a renewed focus on the company’s weaknesses. Aside from its weaknesses, Southwest Airlines has also been keeping track of opportunities that currently exist in the market. Like all other companies, however, they still have some ground to make up when analyzing possible threats to its business. A major strength of Southwest Airlines is the brand recognition that its name carries. Most Americans have heard of Southwest Airlines and have possibly even seen the TV commercials associated with the airline. A look at Southwest Airlines’ website (www.southwest.com) reveals an expansive look at a company dedicated to customer service. From the booking opportunities to the ability of being able to access the customer service commitment Southwest has made itself into a customer friendly company. Even the company’s stock ticker is listed as LUV as in customers “luv” Southwest Airlines. This is not just clever marketing but it also holds true in its business practices. For example, how many airlines make it easy to travel with your pet companion (About SWA, 2009)? Southwest is also the only airline that does not charge you for changing your tickets when other airlines are charging up to $150 a ticket (McCartney, 2009). Southwest is not only flexible when it comes to ticket changes it also offers some of the lowest fares in the industry with some as low as $30 (Benn, July 29, 2009). Southwest not only worries about the factors of getting the customer onto the planes but the comfort of the passengers once they are in
References: (2008, July 8). Southwest Will Fly Internationally. Retrieved August 4, 2009, from CBS News - Associated Press Web site: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/08/business/main4242278.shtml (2009) (2009). Southwest Airlines - Travel Center. Retrieved August 4, 2009, from Southwest Web site: http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/ (2009) (2009, July 26). Economy forces airlines to cut back on flights. Retrieved August 4, 2009, from The Seattle Times Web site: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2009538784_terms26.html (2009, July 30) (2009, August 3). http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/LUV. Retrieved August 4, 2009, from Market Watch Web site: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/LUV Ahlers, Mike M Andrejczak, Matt (2009, July 8). Airline stocks edge lower; JetBlue, Southwest advance. Retrieved August 4, 2009, from Market Watch Web site: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/airline-stocks-edge-higher-jetblue-up-3 Benn, Kerry Grace (2009, July 21) Colvin, Geoff (2009, March 2). A Powerful Asset. Retrieved August 4, 2009, from CNN Money Web site: http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/27/news/companies/colvin_intro.fortune/index.htm Dickler, Jessica (2008, December 11) Griffin, Drew & Bronstein, Scott (2008, March 7). Records: Southwest Airlines flew 'unsafe ' planes. Retrieved August 4, 2009, from CNN Web site: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/06/southwest.planes/index.html Jones, Steven D Kelly, Gary (2009). Gary 's Greeting. Retrieved August 4, 2009, from Southwest Web site: http://www.southwest.com/about_swa/ Koenig, David (2009, July 7) d.html Maxon, Terry (2009, July 23) Smith, Aaron (2008, September 3). JetBlue, NYC airports score badly on delays. Retrieved August 4, 2009, from CNN Money Web site: http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/03/news/economy/DOT_airtravel/index.htm Wilbur, Eric (2009, August 3)