Southwest
History of the Company
Southwest Airlines was founded by Rollin King and Herb Kelleher and was incorporated in 1967. The airline launched its first route in 1971, servicing Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. By 1975 Southwest went public on the American stock exchange. By 1979, the airline was flying outside of Texas to New Orleans and expanded its service to the West Coast in 1982. Beginning in 1990, Southwest’s revenues exceeded one billion dollars, making it a major airline company. On May 2, 2011, Southwest acquired AirTran Airways and expects the two airlines to be fully integrated over the next several years (Fact sheet 2011). Today, Southwest operates more than 3,300 flights a day coast to coast.
Overview of Nearest Competitors
Despite its humble beginnings, Southwest Airlines has grown exponentially through its innovative business plan and outstanding customer service, making it a fierce competitor in the airline industry. While some airlines were restructuring and filing bankruptcy, Southwest persevered, turning a profit every year (Figure 1). Although it is best known as a discount airline, Southwest has managed to seize its current position as one of the largest airlines in the world. It currently ranks third in the United States in terms of fleet size and offers more domestic flights per day than any other carrier (Figure 2).
Figure 1 * Delta Air Lines (Fleet: 744) Delta Air Lines and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day. * United Airlines (Fleet: 712) United Airlines is one of the largest carriers in the world. * Southwest Airlines (Fleet: 692) Southwest Airlines operates more than 3,400 domestic U.S. flights a day. * American Airlines (Fleet: 624) American Airlines has an extensive network of domestic and international flights. * US Airways (Fleet: 341) “A network of 8 regional carriers, including two wholly-owned subsidiaries, form US Airways Express and US Airways shuttle (RITA 2012).
Figure
Southwest Airlines was founded by Rollin King and Herb Kelleher and was incorporated in 1967. The airline launched its first route in 1971, servicing Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. By 1975 Southwest went public on the American stock exchange. By 1979, the airline was flying outside of Texas to New Orleans and expanded its service to the West Coast in 1982. Beginning in 1990, Southwest’s revenues exceeded one billion dollars, making it a major airline company. On May 2, 2011, Southwest acquired AirTran Airways and expects the two airlines to be fully integrated over the next several years (Fact sheet 2011). Today, Southwest operates more than 3,300 flights a day coast to coast.
Overview of Nearest Competitors
Despite its humble beginnings, Southwest Airlines has grown exponentially through its innovative business plan and outstanding customer service, making it a fierce competitor in the airline industry. While some airlines were restructuring and filing bankruptcy, Southwest persevered, turning a profit every year (Figure 1). Although it is best known as a discount airline, Southwest has managed to seize its current position as one of the largest airlines in the world. It currently ranks third in the United States in terms of fleet size and offers more domestic flights per day than any other carrier (Figure 2).
Figure 1 * Delta Air Lines (Fleet: 744) Delta Air Lines and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day. * United Airlines (Fleet: 712) United Airlines is one of the largest carriers in the world. * Southwest Airlines (Fleet: 692) Southwest Airlines operates more than 3,400 domestic U.S. flights a day. * American Airlines (Fleet: 624) American Airlines has an extensive network of domestic and international flights. * US Airways (Fleet: 341) “A network of 8 regional carriers, including two wholly-owned subsidiaries, form US Airways Express and US Airways shuttle (RITA 2012).
Figure
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