Southwest Airlines

Extracted Attributes

• Founders

  Herb Kelleher and Rollin King

• Headquarters

  Love Field neighborhood, Dallas, Texas, United States

• Employee Count

  72,000+ full-time equivalent active employees (as of 2025-12-31)

• Market Position

  Fourth-largest airline in North America by passengers carried (2024)

• Annual Passengers

  134 million customers carried (2025 estimate)

• Fleet Composition

  All-Boeing 737 fleet

• Primary Service Model

  Low-cost, point-to-point air travel

• Industry Classification

  Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation (NAICS 481111)

Timeline

• The company is established as Air Southwest Co. by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King. (Source: Wikipedia Extract)

  1967-03-09

• The airline adopts the name Southwest Airlines Co. and begins flight operations between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. (Source: Wikipedia Extract)

  1971-06-18

• Southwest begins regional interstate service following the passage of the Airline Deregulation Act. (Source: Wikipedia Extract)

  1979-01-01

• A severe operational 'meltdown' occurs during the holiday season, resulting in over 15,000 canceled flights and a $140 million fine from the DOT. (Source: Web Search Result 1)

  2022-12-25

• A settlement is reached with Elliott Investment Management, leading to the departure of Executive Chairman Gary Kelly and the addition of five new directors. (Source: Web Search Result 1)

  2024-10-24

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is a major airline in the United States. It is headquartered in the Love Field neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. It is the fourth-largest airline in North America when measured by passengers carried, as of 2024. With its all-Boeing 737 fleet, Southwest serves over 100 destinations in 42 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and ten other countries and territories near the southern United States in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea regions: Aruba, the Bahamas, Belize, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, and Turks and Caicos. The airline was established on March 9, 1967, by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King 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 flying between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. It began regional interstate service in 1979, expanding nationwide in the following decades.

Web Search Results

• Southwest Airlines - Wikipedia

  Southwest Airlines (or simply Southwest) is a major low-cost airline of the United States. It is headquartered in the Love Field neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. It is the third-largest airline in North America when measured by passengers carried, as of 2024. With its all-Boeing 737 fleet, Southwest serves over 100 destinations in 42 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and ten other countries and territories near the southern United States in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea regions: Aruba, the Bahamas, Belize, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, and Turks and Caicos. [...] Southwest Airlines was founded in 1966 by Herbert Kelleher and Rollin King, and incorporated as Air Southwest Co. in 1967. The company planned to operate as an intrastate airline, flying a Texas Triangle network between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. By flying only within the state of Texas Southwest would be exempt from regulation by the federal Civil Aeronautics Board, allowing it to undercut the prices of competitors. Three other airlines (Braniff, Trans-Texas, and Continental) sued to prevent the company from starting up. The lawsuits were resolved in 1970, and in 1971 the airline changed its name to Southwest Airlines. In 1975, Southwest began flying to other cities in Texas, and in 1979, after passage of the Airline Deregulation Act, it began flying to adjacent states. It started [...] Southwest Airlines encountered significant operational and financial difficulties in the 2020s, notably during the holiday meltdown in 2022 when it canceled over 15,000 flights. This event, caused by severe weather and outdated scheduling systems, led to a record $140 million fine from the U.S. Department of Transportation, and losses exceeding $1.1 billion. Elliott Investment Management, an activist hedge fund, capitalized on Southwest's vulnerabilities by acquiring more than 10% of the company's shares, advocating for leadership and operational changes to improve profitability. A settlement between Southwest and Elliott in October 2024 resulted in former CEO Gary Kelly stepping down as executive chairman and five Elliott-backed directors joining the board; however, CEO Bob Jordan "Bob

• Company Information - Investor Relations | Southwest Airlines

  Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline1. By empowering its more than 72,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 134 million Customers carried in 2025. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting [...] at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. [...] 1. Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q2 2025 2. Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of December 31, 2025 ## Industry Classifications ### Sector Industrials ### Industry Airlines ### NAICS Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation (481111) ### SIC Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512) ## Contact Information ### Investor Relations Southwest Airlines Co. Investor Relations, HDQ-6IR P.O. Box 36611 Dallas, Texas 75235 investor.relations@wnco.com ### Transfer Agent EQ Shareowner Services 1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101 Mendota Heights, MN 55120-4100 T: (651) 450-4064 F: (651) 450-4033 ### Company Contact Southwest Airlines Co. P.O. Box 36611 Dallas, TX 75235 T: (214) 792-4000

• Southwest Airlines: Travel App - Apps on Google Play

  Book a flight, schedule pickups and drop-offs, enjoy fast and easy hotel booking, and embrace last-minute flights for your next spontaneous vacation–all with Southwest. [...] The Southwest® app lets you easily book flights, hotels, cars, cruises, or vacation packages. You can quickly book your trip, check in, change or cancel flights, and add extras like EarlyBird Check-In® or Upgraded Boarding. The app also shows your gate information, boarding position, flight status, and more in the “My Trips” tab. Enjoy a seamless travel experience from planning a trip to last-minute flights. Download the Southwest app today to book your next flight or hotel. SOUTHWEST APP FEATURES: BOOK A FLIGHT - Travel with ease as you search, book, and manage your flight - View your gate information, boarding position, flight status, and more in the “My Trips” tab - Redeem your Rapid Rewards® points1 for qualifying Southwest purchases and flights [...] # Southwest Airlines: Travel App Southwest Airlines Contains ads 4.5star 166K reviews Everyone info ## About this app

• Check Flight Status - Southwest Airlines

  Indicates external site which may or may not meet accessibility guidelines © 2026 Southwest Airlines Co. All Rights Reserved. Use of the Southwest websites and our Company Information constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions. Privacy PolicyTrademarksDo Not Sell/Share My Personal Information Image 8: Southwest Business Image 9: Southwest Cargo a11y-message-header--new-window We and third parties use cookies and other technologies to analyze site traffic and use, personalize content and ads, and improve our sites and services. For more information, refer to our updated Privacy Policy Dismiss Image 10: Company Logo Cookie Preferences [...] Sign up to get the latest deals. Connect with us Image 3: Facebook opens new windowImage 4: Instagram opens new windowImage 5: Youtube opens new windowImage 6: LinkedIn IconImage 7: Pinterest opens new window Mobile Apps ##### About Southwest What's New Press Room Investor Relations Corporate Citizenship Supplier Information Careers Code of Conduct ##### Flying Southwest Visit Southwest.com Fly with Southwest Rapid Rewards® International Travel Airport Information New Destinations Explore Destinations Popular Routes Tarmac Delay Plan Contract of Carriage Customer Service Plan Flight Schedules Carbon Offset Program ##### Southwest Products [...] ##### Southwest Products Fare Types and Benefits Change or Upgrade Seats Upgrade My Fare Priority Boarding Southwest® gift card Hotels Getaways by Southwest™ WiFi & Inflight Entertainment Drinks & Snacks Southwest Business Southwest Cargo Group Travel Charter Services Southwest® The Store Rapid Rewards® Credit Card Book a Rental Car Southwest Cruises ##### Help Center Sitemap Customer Commitments Baggage Policies Disability Related Accommodations Military & Government Travel Extra Seat Policy Traveling with Infants Pet Policy Travel Funds, Refunds, & Reimbursements Complete account setup Lost and Found Getaways by Southwest™ FAQ

• Southwest Airlines | Airline Tickets and Low Fares

  Southwest Airlines | Airline Tickets and Low Fares Southwest Airlines | Airline Tickets and Low Fares Skip to content _Log in to view points balance_ Log in first last Create accountEspañol Image 1: Southwest Flight | Hotel | Car | Vacations | Cruises Special Offers Rapid rewards® first last , TX - DAL Arrive first last Not sure where to? Explore more by searching for Hawaii, Tropical, Mountain/Ski, National Park, New Cities, Popular Cities, or Top Beaches. See everywhere we fly Depart date Sat, Feb 21, 2026 Return date Tue, Feb 24, 2026 Passengers first last Promo code Show fares in You have multiple ways to pay for your flight, giving you the flexibility to choose what works best for you. [...] ##### Flying Southwest Visit Southwest.com Fly with Southwest Rapid Rewards® International Travel Airport Information New Destinations Explore Destinations Popular Routes Tarmac Delay Plan Contract of Carriage Customer Service Plan Flight Schedules Carbon Offset Program ##### Southwest Products Fare Types and Benefits Change or Upgrade Seats Upgrade My Fare Priority Boarding Southwest® gift card Hotels Getaways by Southwest™ WiFi & Inflight Entertainment Drinks & Snacks Southwest Business Southwest Cargo Group Travel Charter Services Southwest® The Store Rapid Rewards® Credit Card Book a Rental Car Southwest Cruises ##### Help Center

• Instance Of

  Q4167410