Southwest Airlines Community

Southwest Airlines is excited to launch the Colleen C. Barrett Institute for Cultural Excellence and Customer Service (CCB Institute) as part of our 50th Anniversary celebration. Today, we are kicking the virtual doors open on the Institute created in Colleen Barrett’s honor!      Colleen’s path to President and Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Airlines began long before our official birthday on June 18, 1971. As part of the Team that fought to bring Southwest Airlines to the world in those early days in San Antonio, her role and her impact on shaping our now-famous Employee-centered Culture grew right alongside the airline itself.    Colleen has always valued Employees like Family, which is the Heart and soul of our Culture today at Southwest. The CCB Institute provides a home for the practical application of her core values—living by The Golden Rule with a Servant’s Heart, Warrior Spirit, and a Fun-LUVing Attitude—while sharing stories, memories, and examples of how that ethos shaped Southwest into the airline of today. In addition to honoring Colleen’s legacy, the Institute strives to be an ongoing resource to help others learn from her remarkable example and offer inspiration for us all to make long-lasting, positive impacts in the communities we serve.   In addition to learning more about Colleen’s life, career path, and trailblazing actions, the site is full of her wisdom and reflections. You’ll have insight into several programs she created which are the cornerstones of our Culture and recognition programs today. You’ll also get to read heart-warming stories from Employees on how she has personally impacted their lives.    The CCB Institute’s library serves up a wealth of resources including books, videos, articles, and podcasts from and about Colleen, Southwest, and more. You’ll want to save this site as a favorite and return often, as it will continue to grow. You can also opt-in to receive email updates and future opportunities to engage with the Institute and exclusive CCB Institute events.   We hope you’ll enjoy learning through these examples of Culture, excellence, learning, thought leadership, and Service with LUV. Perhaps there is not a more fitting way to invite you to visit the Institute at www.colleenbarrett.com than through the words of Colleen herself: “We hope you will stay awhile, laugh a little, and maybe learn something new about LUV®.” ... View more

International Women’s Day is a perfect time to celebrate the incredible women in each of our lives. From family, friends, colleagues, and the incredible women who have paved the way for the next generation, I think we can each think of many wonderful women to acknowledge today and throughout Women’s History Month. One woman who comes to mind for me and all Employees at Southwest Airlines is Colleen C. Barrett. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating Colleen’s legacy and the important women in your life.   The following story about Colleen is part of how we’re celebrating our 50th Anniversary and Women’s History Month. In recognition of our 50th Anniversary, we have plans to share stories about several important Southwest moments in multiple ways throughout the year. In fact, this story about Colleen blazing a trail for women in aviation Leadership is an excerpt from a book that will be available later in 2021 to celebrate Southwest’s milestone anniversary! Stay tuned for more information about the book and be on the lookout for other compelling Southwest stories over the coming months.   In Colleen Barrett’s family, cowbells were rung to celebrate great accomplishments, and by that measure, a carillon should have sounded on March 19, 2001.[1] That was the date Southwest announced that she would become the first woman President of Southwest Airlines, or of any major U.S. airline for that matter.   She would go on to receive a host of accolades, including winning the Outstanding Woman in Aviation Award in 2007 and landing repeatedly on a prominent list of the 100 most powerful women in business.       Born poor in rural Vermont, Colleen earned a two-year associate's degree and made her way to Texas, where in 1967 she became Herb Kelleher’s legal secretary when the Southwest Founder was still working as a lawyer in San Antonio. She followed Herb to Southwest, assuming the role of Corporate Secretary in 1978. In 1986, she became Vice President Administration and, in 1990, Executive Vice President Customers. But she was best known as the architect of Southwest’s Culture.   In many ways, Colleen was the perfect complement to Herb. He could provide the determination, competitiveness, and military lingo to rally the troops. She reminded everyone to treat others with respect and to follow the Golden Rule, which her mother had instilled in her when she was growing up. The result was a Culture that could be both fierce and kind at the same time.     Colleen’s Leadership has been an inspiration to others both inside and outside the Company and has reinforced Southwest’s efforts to promote women into Leadership positions.   As of 2019, more than 40 percent of Southwest’s Employees and about 30 percent of Executives were women.[2]   Southwest has taken other steps to promote gender diversity. In 2018, for example, the Company awarded $25,000 in scholarships to women for additional flight training and assistance in obtaining pilots’ licenses. It also awarded scholarships to women for Aviation Maintenance Professional Certification to pursue careers as aviation maintenance professionals.[3]     Colleen retired in 2008 and was given the title President Emeritus. Gary dedicated a special airplane to her—named Heroine of the Heart—which remains a permanent member of the Southwest fleet. There was also an impromptu tribute in the Headquarters lobby that included a somewhat altered version of a famous country song—and of course, a lot of cowbells.[4]   Stay tuned for more information about how we’re celebrating Colleen as a special part of Women’s History Month and the 50th Anniversary this year.     [1] https://www.swamedia.com/pages/1996-to-2001 [2] https://issuu.com/luvlines/docs/2020_1q_luvlines_final_digital/11 [3] https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2018/06/07/what-do-we-know-about-gender-diversity-at-southwest-american-airlines/ [4] https://www.swamedia.com/pages/officers-history ... View more

Southwest Airlines is proud to congratulate our 2020 President’s Award Recipients! This award is one of the highest honors an Employee can receive and it is a tradition Southwest has had since 1979. The recipients are a snapshot of our highest performers who work hard and consistently exceed expectations while also treating others with respect and kindness. This year we recognized and celebrated with our recipients virtually. We are very proud of our honorees, who were nominated by their peers. Cheers to our outstanding Cohearts!   ... View more

Do you like summer fun, trivia, and hanging out in Midtown Manhattan under the stars? Then do we have a treat for YOU!  Beginning Wednesday, May 23, Southwest Airlines will launch its “Summer Cult Movie Trivia Festival” at the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park!  We’ve teamed up once again with our fine partners at Bryant Park and ‘wichcraft to bring in some folks who know a thing or two about trivia fun!  For the next several Tuesdays, Dave Oliver and his Team from www.triviaad.com will host their popular trivia beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Dave hosts trivia all over the City and we’ve convinced him to bring his popular style to Bryant Park.  This week we begin the fun with “Sixteen Candles.”     If you can’t join us this week, check out some of our other fun dates! Summer Trivia Schedule: May 23: Sixteen Candles May 29: Dazed and Confused June 12: The Princess Bride June 26: Fast Times at Ridgemont High July 10: The Big Lebowski July 24: Wet Hot American Summer Be sure to reserve your spot by e-mailing Trivia@wichcraftnyc.com. So, get your best 80s (and 90s) memories in gear, and join us! “It’d be a lot cooler if you did” - Wooderson, “Dazed and Confused.” ... View more

What do you get when you combine a fabulous location, perfect weather, and incredible new music?  For me, you get a mental picture of green grass, and a warm summer night at the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park where, in August, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals rocked the night away as part of our fantastic relationship with The Artists Den.  Check out the video for a sneak peek! Southwest Airlines worked with The Artists Den in 2010 to film concerts and give music lovers the chance to see some of their favorite bands up close and personal.  The incredible part of this relationship is not only the excitement folks get in person, but how that experience is broadcast to millions through The Artists Den series, Live from the Artists Den, which airs weekly on PBS. Cue the Grace Potter show, which premieres tomorrow, April 15! Southwest and a few hundred of The Artists Den’s closest friends rocked the night away and we can’t wait to relive it!  To get a taste of the show, visit www.artistsden.com and watch the preview. We’ll be highlighting our concerts over the next several weeks as they begin to air across the country, here on the blog.  Additionally, keep your twittering eyes on @SouthwestAir as we would love to tweet with you all during these television shows.  Our Ray LaMontagne show airs tonight in Dallas at 10pm central on KERA. Check out the lineup in your city and let us know when you tune in! In the meantime, set your recording, and get prepared to rock the night away with some really cool bands! ... View more

I’m a sucker for holiday traditions.  I love to hear all about what other families do at the holidays. I love to cook and love to eat, so each story gives me a new idea to add to my own holiday menu. Earlier this month, I was attending a work function, and the subject of holiday traditions came up. I was surrounded by folks from places in Texas further south than my East Texas upbringing, and one of my favorite traditions came up—holiday tamales. Ask anyone who hails from a Texas town west of Fort Worth and south of Austin and you’ll hear stories of holiday tamales.  EVP Corporate Services & Corporate Secretary Ron Ricks, a Texas border native, grew up eating tamales at the holidays. This year, his wife, Eileen, had a tamale-making party with her friends, and things turned out so well they are turning it into a yearly event.  Community Affairs & Grassroots Senior Manager Laura Nieto, a San Antonio native, filled me in on authentic tamale preparation which involves burying the pig’s entire head! Sounded incredible, but I may leave that part out of my tamale party!  Even our Chairman, President, and CEO Gary Kelly, another San Antonio native, piped in with his favorite place to get tamales for the holidays here in Dallas, a great place called La Popular.  Gary shared that he’d found it based on an Employee suggestion!   Curious, I did a little digging, and this tradition was adopted by Texas from Mexico.  Over the years, families in Mexico all got together and made tamales together.  The process is fairly involved, so it provided a great chance for large families to catch up and bond while making great food.  Count me in! So, writing this is making me hungry, I’m going to head out to La Popular’s booth at the Dallas Farmer’s Market.  If you have a family tradition or recipe you’d like to share, feel free to post it!  Happy Holidays!   ... View more

For all you NBA fans, especially fans of the Lakers and Celtics, this is your week! The NBA Finals tip off on Thursday, and Southwest Airlines is taking part in the action! As the official airline of the NBA, Southwest Airlines has the proud opportunity to deliver the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy to the Finals' cities. Today, the trophy landed at LAX aboard Slam Dunk One! Southwest Airlines Captain Dave Rigby (R) and First Officer John Degroot (C), delivered the trophy to Lakers’ great Michael Cooper. The trophy will make the journey to the Staples Center and will take the stage for Game 1 and 2. Early next week, the trophy will board yet another Southwest flight and head east, landing in Boston aboard Slam Dunk One—all you Bostonians keep your eye out for Slam Dunk One—the Larry O’Brien trophy may be onboard! So, whether your Teams are in the Finals, or you’re just a fan of the game, know Southwest Airlines is playing our part to deliver the trophy (and the many NBA fans traveling to the games) safe and sound! ... View more