Southwest Airlines

IATA Code: WN
ICAO Code: SWA
International Call Sign: Southwest
Mileage Plus: Rapid Rewards
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas

Set up in 1971, Southwest Airlines is usually referred to American Southwest Airlines, to avoid confusion with Japan Southwest Airlines (present Japan Transocean Air), Air China Southwest Branch and UK Air Southwest. It is the founder of low cost airlines in civil air transportation service. In United States, it has the most domestic routes and has created many records in American civil aviation such as the highest net profit rate, the highest credit grade and the lowest debt running rate. From the point of traveling volume, it is the second largest airlines in USA and the third largest airlines in the world.

 

Southwest Airlines always provides the good service that the passengers expect. It offers low ticket, safe and frequent flights, comfortable cabins, first-class Mileage Plus, smooth check-in, friendly customer service and memorable travel experience. It only opens the domestic point-to-point flights, no long distance flights and no international flights. The low price policy makes it a real fast airbus. There is no distinction between business class and economy class and passengers do not need to take seats by number, which saves much boarding time. Besides, the time of waiting for the luggage is shorter than any of other airlines.
 

Southwest Airlines emphasizes on the value of stuff coming first. It keeps on encouraging every employee working for it. Like a big family, it is full of love, care and active atmosphere. The leaders put forward a clear aim of the company: make money, offer every employee a secure job and make more people travel by air.
 

The top 10 airport hubs of Southwest Airlines (By 2007)

 

Airport	Number of Planes Leaving Port Per Day	Number of Departure Gate	Number of Arrival Cities (Nonstop Flight)	Year of First Flight
McCarran International Airport	241	21	53	1982
Chicago Midway International Airport	228	29	47	1985
Phoenix International Airport	200	24	42	1982
Baltimore Washington International Airport	172	26	40	1993
Houston Hobby Airport	146	16	29	1971
Auckland International Airport	144	11	21	1989
Dallas Love Field Airport	137	14	16	1971
Los Angeles International Airport	122	11	19	1982
Orlando International Airport	116	14	33	1996
San Diego International Airport	103	10	16	1982

 

Southwest Airlines uses three types of Boeing 737 aircrafts. Its aircraft fleet operates seven flights everyday on average. Up to May 2008, it has 188 Boeing 737-300, 25 Boeing 737-500 and 319 Boeing 737-700.