28 Facts About Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines currently serves airports in 42 states and multiple Central American destinations.

Southwest Airlines was founded in 1966 by Herbert Kelleher and Rollin King, and in 1967 it was incorporated as Air Southwest Co.

In 1975, Southwest Airlines began operating flights to various additional cities within Texas, and in 1979 it began flying to adjacent states.

Southwest Airlines turned a profit for 47 consecutive fiscal years from 1973 through 2019.

Southwest Airlines is the largest operator of the Boeing 737 worldwide.

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Southwest Airlines solely offers economy-class seats, and does not have business- or first-class cabins on its aircraft.

Southwest Airlines offers free in-flight non-alcoholic beverages and offers alcoholic beverages for sale for $6 to $7 per beverage.

Southwest Airlines has become known for colorful boarding announcements and crews that sometimes burst out in song.

In 2007, Southwest Airlines modified its boarding procedure by introducing a number.

Southwest Airlines has a "customer of size" policy in which the cost of a second seat is refunded for any plus-size travelers who take up more room than one seat.

All Southwest Airlines aircraft are equipped with Wi-Fi, along with free of charge streaming live television, movies, streaming music, and app messaging.

Southwest Airlines began adding Wi-Fi to its aircraft in the first quarter of 2010.

Southwest Airlines first began to offer a frequent-flyer program on June 18,1987, calling it The Company Club.

Southwest Airlines renamed its frequent flyer program Rapid Rewards on April 25,1996.

When 16 credits were accumulated in a 24-month period, Southwest Airlines awarded one free round-trip ticket that was valid for 12 months.

Southwest Airlines headquarters is located on the grounds of Dallas Love Field in the Love Field neighborhood of Dallas, Texas.

On September 17,2012, Southwest Airlines broke ground on a new Training and Operational Support building.

On June 2,2016, Southwest Airlines broke ground on its new office and training facility known as Wings.

On June 23,2021, Southwest Airlines announced that chairman and CEO Gary Kelly would transition roles in early 2022, becoming the carrier's executive chairman with the desire to serve in that role through at least 2026 at the discretion of the board of directors.

On January 10,2017, Southwest announced changes to the company's executive leadership ranks with Thomas M Nealon named as president and Michael G Van de Ven named as the airline's chief operating officer.

On September 14,2021, Southwest Airlines announced Nealon had decided to retire from his duties as president effective immediately, but would continue to serve the company as a strategic advisor.

Southwest Airlines has been named to Fortune magazine "Most Admired Companies" list, reaching number 14 on their 2021 list.

In March 1992, shortly after Southwest Airlines started using the "Just Plane Smart" motto, Stevens Aviation, which had been using "Plane Smart" for its motto, advised Southwest Airlines that it was infringing on its trademark.

Southwest Airlines has had nine accidents, including two aircraft hull losses.

Southwest Airlines employees requested that she provide documentation of her condition and staff asked her to exit the aircraft multiple times and police ultimately had to escort her away.

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Southwest Airlines and the pilot union stated that the film was a hoax and a "poor attempt at humor" by one of the pilots, previously recorded of himself on a different aircraft, fully clothed.

In February 2020, a report conducted by the DOT inspector general found that Southwest Airlines was flying airplanes with safety concerns and that the Federal Aviation Administration was failing to properly oversee the airline.

In 2020, a captain of a Southwest Airlines flight watched pornography on a laptop computer with his clothes removed while his female first officer continued her duties.