Southwest Airlines Community

There are so many reasons that I am proud to work for Southwest Airlines.  As a 29-year Employee, Southwest has become like a second home and an extended Family to me.  And, I know many of our Employees feel the same way.  Of all the 29 years I’ve been at Southwest, I can’t remember a time when I’ve been more proud than right now, on the heels of one of our most monumental and historic years in the Company’s history.  In short, 2014 was Epic! I mention that here and now as we’ve just released our 2014 Southwest Airlines One Report, which captures all of the major milestones that contributed to our banner year.  Last year was a decade in the making, and it’s not overstating it to say we have transformed Southwest Airlines and find ourselves at the dawn of a new era.  That transformation culminated with the completion of several strategic initiatives in 2014, including: the completion of the AirTran Airways integration, the repeal of the Wright Amendment, the launch of International service, and much more. The One Report brings to life our Company's commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet.  We have an intense focus on all three areas, and you’ll see how they align with our Purpose to connect People to what’s important in their lives. Above all, if you learn nothing else through this report, I hope your takeaway is that Southwest Airlines is not a Company of Planes—we are a Company of People.  Our People have built the world’s largest and most successful low cost airline, and it’s our People who continue to drive our passion for serving others and taking care of the communities where they work and live. I invite you to take some time to read the One Report, and I know it won’t take long for you to understand why I am so proud to be one of the 47,000 Employees who make up the Southwest Airlines Family. ... View more

For the 21st-consecutive year, Southwest Airlines was named to FORTUNE’s World’s Most Admired List. One of the most important ways we maintain our world-famous Culture at Southwest is by taking the time to celebrate each other. And we’ve had A LOT to celebrate! Today, we celebrate a #7 finish on FORTUNE’s 2015 World’s Most Admired list—the only commercial airline in the top 10. As I know you’ve heard me say, I truly believe Southwest has the best People in the industry, and to be recognized as a Most Admired Company—21 consecutive times—is a tribute to each and every one of you. You are what sets us apart since the beginning. Thank you, congratulations, and cheers to 21 years as a World’s Most Admired Company!   ... View more

Hurrah!  That is the collective cheer from all 45,000+ Southwest Airlines Employees, as this month we are finally free from the shackles of the Wright Amendment.  The passage of this law in 1979 made our home airport of Dallas Love Field the first and only airport in the United States to be restricted to a small service area—flights out of the airport would be limited to destinations in Texas and its neighboring states (later expanded to include Mississippi, Alabama, Kansas, and Missouri).  Ten years ago, we set out to repeal this restriction, leading a successful effort to overturn the Wright Amendment, which will officially expire on October 13, 2014, at 12:01 a.m.  But who’s counting? This is big news for Southwest and anyone who travels to/from Dallas.  And, we’re not wasting any time exploring our newfound freedom.  Beginning October 13, we will offer new nonstop service to seven cities from Dallas Love Field (Baltimore/Washington; Denver; Las Vegas; Orlando; Chicago Midway; Los Angeles; Reagan National).  We’ll quickly add another eight nonstop destinations on November 2—from New York and California, and several points in between.  And, that’s just the beginning! F Fittingly, our brand new Dallas flights will be provided from a new, revitalized airport facility at Love Field with over 20 new concessions and a brand new infrastructure that will rival the nicest airports in the world.  As we planned for the sunset of the Wright Amendment, we set out to breathe new life into our hometown airport with the Love Field Modernization Program (LFMP).  The artwork in the airport is modern but keeps a splash of the history, for which, Love Field is known.  The New Love Field is a showpiece for the city of Dallas, and its convenient, close-to-downtown location provides even more benefits for our Customers. The Wright Amendment repeal allows us finally to carry people where they want to go from our hometown airport, giving Customers access to our vast network and making Dallas more accessible for the rest of the country.  The city now joins eight other major metro areas in the United States that have more than one airport providing longhaul domestic service.  This means more flights, more destinations, more choices, and lower fares to/from North Texas. So, please join us as we bid farewell to the Wright Amendment!  I have a new appreciation for the term, “It took an act of Congress.”  But, it did; and we did it!  And, we’re now free to move about the country from our home, Dallas Love Field.  We hope you will join us.  What a feeling! ... View more

When Southwest launched its first flight nearly 43 years ago, we set out to offer something very different.  There were giant competitors, and to get potential Customers to notice, Southwest had to disrupt their thinking about air travel.  A new way to fly was born. It was a revolution in commercial aviation.  It also was a revolution in how to build a Company—putting People first.  The Employees of Southwest Airlines are the secret ingredient in our recipe for success, one that will never be matched.  It is because of our People, who have had a brilliant strategy, made smart tactical moves, and steadily, carefully built upon Southwest’s foundation, one year at a time, that Southwest is the most consistently profitable airline in the history of aviation. Putting People first also means thinking of our Customers.  We never forget that Southwest Airlines exists to serve our Customers.  Our Purpose is to connect our Customers to important events in their lives with friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel, and our People deliver on that purpose day after day, year after year, making Southwest the largest domestic carrier in the United States in terms of passengers carried. Our People-first approach is why Southwest has been named to FORTUNE’s 2014 World’s Most Admired Companies list.  For the 20 th consecutive year, Southwest has made this list, this year ranking number 9 on the prestigious list.  I am proud that once again, we are the only commercial airline to make the Top 10.  We remain profitable, enabling us to create job security for our People, maintain low fares for our Customers, create returns for our Shareholders, and give back to our Communities.  We believe in leading by serving others – each other and our Customers. To compile the list of most admired companies, FORTUNE asked businesspeople to vote for the companies they admired most.  It is quite an honor.  There is much to admire about Southwest Airlines, and, for me, what I admire most is the Warrior Spirit, Servant’s Heart, and Fun-LUVing attitude of our Southwest Employees—the very best in the world. I am so proud of what we have accomplished together. This is my 28 th year at Southwest, and I have never had more confidence, more pride, and more enthusiasm for the future.  I offer my sincere gratitude and congratulations to the People of Southwest Airlines for making Southwest one of the World’s Most Admired Companies … again! (Photo by Noel Kleinman/NKPIX) ... View more