Southwest Airlines is a major airline based out of Dallas, Texas.
It is currently the largest low-cost air carrier in the world. It is also consistently the most traveled airline in the United States.
In this guide, we will explore everything you need to know about Southwest Airlines.
History of Southwest Airlines
Troubled Start
Southwest Airlines got its start in 1965 as “Air Southwest” and had permission to operate flights with the state of Texas.
Herb Kelleher, future CEO of Southwest Airlines developed his paradigm of offering flights cheaper than the competition and making the customer happy should lead to success.
Air Southwest was sued by three other airlines for its attempts to undercut the competition’s prices. However, the airline prevailed in the Supreme Court and was allowed to continue operations as normal.
In March 1971, Air Southwest officially changed its name to Southwest Airlines. Initial routes were still within Texas state limits. Daily flights between Texas cities Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston made up the schedule.
Southwest stirred some controversy with its decision not to leave Dallas Love Field in 1979 when the new Dallas Fort Worth International Airport was built. The cities of Dallas and Fort Worth were in a custody battle of air carriers operating from competing fields (this case Dallas Love Field and Greater Southwest International Airport). The city forced airlines from both airports to begin to use the new Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Southwest decided to stay at Dallas Love Field even after the airport was being redeveloped for general aviation-only purposes. This disagreement also went to court with the result being that jurisdiction was lacking for Southwest to be kicked out of Dallas Love.
Since Southwest Airlines was the only airline operating out of Dallas Love Field, they began to undercut the prices offered by airlines flying out of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Expanding the Network
Throughout the 1980s, the airline began to also fly to new destinations in midwestern and southwestern cities like Detroit and Los Angeles. In the 1990s, Southwest expanded to the northeast offering flights to Providence, and Long Island.
Profitability
One thing to note about Southwest Airlines was that they were one of the first airlines to utilize the Internet to generate revenue from ticket sales. They started their first website in 1995 and by the time 2007 came around nearly 70 percent of ticket bookings and revenue were generated through its website.
Southwest has also been known to be a very profitable airline. Since 1973, Southwest did not operate at an annual profit loss until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Quick Facts About Southwest Airlines
Year Founded: 1967
Years of Operation: 55 years
Airline Type: Major
Call Sign: SOUTHWEST
Website: http://southwest.com/
Facts About Southwest Airlines Fleet
Southwest Airlines has a total of 762 aircraft.
Southwest Airlines most commonly flies the Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, and the Boeing 737 MAX 8. The reason that Southwest flies only Boeing 737 aircraft is to limit maintenance costs and training costs for its pilots.
When utilizing different aircraft types, you have to train maintenance personnel on those aircraft types and purchase replacement parts which add to costs. Pilots only have to train on one aircraft type also reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700
The Boeing 737-700 is a popular narrow-body commercial airliner that is used for short to medium-haul flights. With a seating capacity of up to 149 passengers, this aircraft is known for its fuel efficiency, reliability, and versatility.
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800
The 737-800 is a popular narrow-body jetliner that is designed for short to medium-haul flights. It can seat up to 189 passengers and has a range of over 3,000 miles.
Southwest Airlines 737-800 Max
The 737 MAX 8 is the latest version of the popular 737 family of narrow-body jetliners. It can seat up to 210 passengers and has a range of over 3,500 miles.
Southwest Airlines Seating Configurations and Amenities
Southwest Airlines offers different seating configurations and amenities to make your flight comfortable and enjoyable. When you step onto a Southwest plane, you’ll find a variety of seats to choose from. They have regular seats and seats with extra legroom, called “Priority” seats, which can be selected for a small fee. This lets you pick the seat that suits you best.
No matter where you sit, you can enjoy Southwest’s friendly atmosphere and welcoming service. The airline doesn’t assign specific seats; instead, they use a unique boarding process. Passengers are divided into groups, and each group gets a number. When your number is called, you can choose any available seat you like. This system adds a fun and quick element to the boarding process.
During your flight, you can take advantage of Southwest’s amenities. They offer complimentary snacks and beverages, such as pretzels, crackers, and soft drinks. The flight attendants are known for their cheerful attitude and willingness to help. Plus, Southwest planes are equipped with Wi-Fi on many flights, so you can stay connected to the internet while in the air. Whether you’re traveling for business or leisure, Southwest Airlines aims to make your journey comfortable and convenient.
Southwest Airlines Flights and Operations
Today, Southwest flies to over 40 destinations across the United States. It also has expanded international service, providing flights to the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
Southwest Airlines Hubs and Focus Cities
Southwest Airlines utilizes the following locations as its hub or focus cities.
1. Atlanta (KATL)
2. Baltimore (KBWI)
3. Chicago–Midway (KMDW)
4. Dallas–Love (KDAL)
5. Denver (KDEN)
Southwest Airlines Most Popular Flights
- Las Vegas to San Diego
- Denver to Phoenix
- San Deigo to San Jose
- Denver to Las Vegas
- San Deigo to Sacramento
- Dallas to Houston
- Las Vegas to San Jose
- Denver to Chicago
- San Deigo to Oakland
- Baltimore to Orlando
Southwest Airlines On-Time Performance
In 2022, Southwest Airlines safely flew 113,515,794 passengers to their destinations.
Southwest Airlines reported flights being on time 80.24% of the time
Is Southwest Airlines a Safe Airline to Fly on?
Southwest Airlines is known for being really safe and dependable, which makes it a good pick for people who want to travel. They care a lot about making sure passengers are safe, so they follow really strict rules from aviation experts.
Southwest works hard to keep their airplanes in great shape through regular check-ups, and their pilots, who are really skilled and have lots of experience, get trained and tested often.
The fact that they’ve had a good safety record for a long time shows that they’re serious about keeping travelers safe and comfy.
Recently, Southwest has shown that they’re quick to pay attention to new safety ideas and cool technology. They keep updating how they keep people safe based on the best ways in the industry. They also make sure to talk honestly with travelers, which helps everyone feel confident and trusting.
While no airline can get rid of all the risks that come with flying, Southwest Airlines has shown that they’re really good at safety and always trying to make things even better. So, if you’re looking for a safe way to travel, Southwest is a good choice.
They have well-taken care of planes, experienced staff, and modern safety plans, and they care about making sure passengers are okay. You can feel comfortable knowing that when you fly with them, they’re serious about keeping you safe the whole time.
