Southwest Airlines - Wikipedia Southwest Airlines For other uses, see Southwest Airlines ( disambiguation ). Coordinates : 32 ° 50 ′ 48 '' N 96 ° 51 ′ 40 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 32.8467 ° N 96.861 ° W ﻿ / 32.8467 ; - 96.861 ﻿ ( Southwest Airlines Headquarters ) Southwest Airlines IATA ICAO Callsign WN SWA SOUTHWEST Founded March 15, 1967 ( 1967 - 03 - 15 ) Commenced operations June 18, 1971 ( 1971 - 06 - 18 ) AOC # SWAA304A Operating bases Atlanta Baltimore Chicago -- Midway Dallas -- Love Denver Houston -- Hobby Las Vegas Oakland Orlando Phoenix -- Sky Harbor Focus cities Austin Fort Lauderdale Los Angeles Nashville Sacramento San Diego San Jose ( CA ) St. Louis Tampa Frequent - flyer program Rapid Rewards Fleet size 718 Destinations 100 Company slogan `` Low fares. Nothing to hide. That 's Transfarency. '' Traded as NYSE : LUV DJTA Component S&P 500 Component Headquarters Dallas, Texas, U.S. Key people Gary C. Kelly ( Chairman and CEO ) Tom Nealon ( President ) Mike Van de Ven ( Chief Operating Officer ) Colleen Barrett ( President Emeritus ) Revenue US $ 21.171 billion ( 2017 ) Operating income US $ 3.515 billion ( 2017 ) Net income US $ 3.488 billion ( 2017 ) Total assets US $ 25.110 billion ( 2017 ) Total equity US $ 10.430 billion ( 2017 ) Employees ~ 56,100 ( 2017 ) Website www.southwest.com Southwest Airlines Co. ( NYSE : LUV ) is a major U.S. airline headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and North America 's largest low - cost carrier. The airline was established in 1967 by Herb Kelleher as Air Southwest and then adopted its current name, Southwest Airlines, in 1971 when it began operating as an intrastate airline wholly within the state of Texas. The airline has more than 55,000 employees as of July 2017 and operates more than 4,000 departures a day during peak travel season. As of 2014, it carried the most domestic passengers of any U.S. airline. As of May 2018, Southwest Airlines has scheduled services to 100 destinations in the United States and ten additional countries, with services to Turks & Caicos having begun on November 5, 2017. Service to Hawaii is coming in late 2018 or early 2019 subject to FAA approval, with destination cities to be decided on and announced in the near future. Southwest Airlines has only operated Boeing 737 jetliner models, except for a period from 1979 to 1987 when it leased and operated several Boeing 727 - 200s from Braniff International Airways. Since January 2016, Southwest has been the largest operator of the Boeing 737 worldwide, with over 700 in service and each aircraft averaging six flights per day. Contents 1 History 2 Corporate identity 2.1 Advertising 2.2 Honor Flight Network 3 Corporate affairs 3.1 Headquarters 3.2 Employment 3.2. 1 Labor relations 3.3 Sponsorships 3.4 Impact on carriers 3.5 Lobbying Texas rail 4 Destinations 4.1 Top cities 5 Airline partnerships 5.1 Present 5.2 Past 6 Fleet 6.1 Historical fleet 6.2 Livery / paint 6.2. 1 Special liveries and decals 7 Passenger experience 7.1 In - flight entertainment 7.2 Evolve interior 7.3 Heart interior 8 Rapid Rewards 9 Southwest Vacations 10 Incidents 11 Controversies and passenger incidents 12 See also 13 References 14 External links History Main article : History of Southwest Airlines In 1966 Southwest Airlines was founded by Herbert Kelleher and Rollin King, and in 1967 it was incorporated as Air Southwest Company. It was not until 1971 that the airline began scheduled flights from Dallas Love Field. The same year the organization adopted the name Southwest Airlines. The expansion of flights started in 1975, to cities throughout Texas, and in 1978 Southwest began flying to neighboring states. Service to the East and the Southeast started in the 1990s. Corporate identity Advertising The company has always employed humor in its advertising. Former slogans include `` Love Is Still Our Field, '' `` Just Plane Smart, '' `` The Somebody Else Up There Who Loves You, '' `` You 're Now Free To Move About The Country, '' `` THE Low Fare Airline, '' `` Grab your bag, It 's On ! '' and `` Welcome Aboard. '' The airline 's current slogan is `` Low fares. Nothing to hide. '' A Southwest 737 - 800 in the Heart livery at BWI Airport In March 1992, shortly after Southwest started using the `` Just Plane Smart '' motto, Stevens Aviation, which had been using `` Plane Smart '' for its motto, advised Southwest that it was infringing on its trademark. Instead of a lawsuit, the CEOs for both companies staged an arm wrestling match. Held at the now - demolished Dallas Sportatorium ( the famed wrestling facility ) and set for two out of three rounds, the loser of each round was to pay $5,000 to the charity of his choice, with the winner gaining the use of the trademarked phrase. A promotional video was created showing the CEOs `` training '' for the bout ( with CEO Herb Kelleher being helped up during a sit up where a cigarette and glass of whiskey ( Wild Turkey 101 ) was waiting ) and distributed among the employees and also as a video press release along with the video of the match itself. Herb Kelleher lost the match for Southwest, with Stevens Aviation winning the rights to the phrase. Kurt Herwald, CEO of Stevens Aviation, immediately granted the use of `` Just Plane Smart '' to Southwest Airlines. The net result was both companies having use of the trademark, $15,000 going to charity, and good publicity for both companies. Honor flight Network Southwest Airlines is the official commercial airline of the Honor Flight Network. Honor Flights are dedicated to bringing aging and ailing veterans to visit the national monuments in Washington, D.C., devoted to the wars in which they served. Corporate affairs Headquarters Southwest Airlines headquarters in Dallas The 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 broke ground on a new Training and Operational Support ( TOPS ) building. The TOPS Building is across the street from its current headquarters building. The property includes a two - story, 100,000 - square - foot operations building that can withstand an EF3 tornado. It also includes a four - story, 392,000 - square - foot office and training facility with two levels devoted to each function. The new facilities house 24 - hour coordination and maintenance operations, customer support and services, and training. The project was completed in late 2013, with occupancy beginning in 2014. On June 2, 2016, Southwest broke ground on its new training facility known as `` Wings. '' The newest addition to the corporate campus will have more than 400,000 square feet of space and be home to more flight simulators, flight operations training centers, and much more. Employment As of September 30, 2017, Southwest Airlines has more than 56,000 employees. Gary C. Kelly is Chairman and CEO of Southwest Airlines. Kelly replaced former CEO Jim Parker on July 15, 2004 and assumed the title of `` President '' on July 15, 2008, replacing former President Colleen Barrett. In July 2008, Herb Kelleher resigned his position as Chairman. Colleen Barrett left her post on the Board of Directors and as Corporate Secretary in May 2008 and as President in July 2008. Kelleher was President and CEO of Southwest from September 1981 - June 2001. 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. Labor relations Southwest employees are generally members of a union. The Southwest Airline Pilots ' Association, a union not affiliated with the Air Line Pilots Association, represents the airline 's pilots. The Aircraft Maintenance Technicians are represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association ( AMFA ). Customer Service Agents and Reservation Agents are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union ( IAM ). Flight Dispatchers, Flight Attendants, Ramp agents and Operations agents are represented by the Transport Workers Union ( TWU ). Sponsorships Southwest Airlines is the official airline for four Major League Baseball teams - the Baltimore Orioles, the Milwaukee Brewers, the San Diego Padres, and the Texas Rangers - five NBA teams - the Denver Nuggets, the Houston Rockets, the Indiana Pacers, the Orlando Magic, and the Phoenix Suns - three WNBA teams - the Dallas Wings, Indiana Fever & Phoenix Mercury - and the NFL 's Baltimore Ravens in addition to being the official airline for the Super Bowl. Southwest Airlines is the title sponsor of the annual Southwest Airlines San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade. There were two aircraft painted to resemble Orcas to promote SeaWorld but they were repainted to standard Southwest livery following the end of their 26 - year partnership. Impact on carriers Southwest has been a major inspiration to other low - cost carriers, and its business model has been repeated many times around the world. The competitive strategy combines high level of employee and aircraft productivity with low unit costs by reducing aircraft turn around time particularly at the gate. Europe 's EasyJet and Ryanair are two of the best known airlines to follow Southwest 's business strategy in that continent. Other airlines with a business model based on Southwest 's system include Canada 's WestJet, Malaysia 's AirAsia ( the first and biggest LCC in Asia ), India 's IndiGo, Australia 's Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas ( although Jetstar now operates three aircraft types ), Philippines 's Cebu Pacific, Thailand 's Nok Air, Mexico 's Volaris, Indonesia 's Lion Air and Turkey 's Pegasus Airlines. Although Southwest has been a major inspiration to many other airlines, including Ryanair, AirAsia, Lion Air and Jetstar, the management strategies, for example, of Ryanair, AirAsia, Lion Air and Jetstar differ significantly from those of Southwest. All these different management strategies can be seen as means of differentiation from other competitors in order to gain competitive advantages. Lobbying Texas rail Southwest has fought against the development of a high - speed rail system in Texas. In 1991, a plan was made to connect the Texas Triangle ( Houston -- Dallas -- Fort Worth -- San Antonio ) with a privately financed high speed train system that would quickly take passengers from one city to the next. This was the same model Southwest Airlines used 20 years earlier to break into the Texas market where it served the same cities. Southwest Airlines, with the help of lobbyists, created legal barriers to prohibit the consortium from moving forward and the entire project was eventually scuttled in 1994, when the State of Texas withdrew the franchise. This was also aided by lobbying from hotels and fast food restaurants. Destinations Main article : Southwest Airlines destinations As of May 2018, Southwest Airlines has scheduled flights to 100 destinations in 40 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. It operates crew bases at the following airports : Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago -- Midway, Dallas -- Love, Denver, Houston -- Hobby, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Orlando, and Phoenix -- Sky Harbor. Southwest does not use the `` hub and spoke '' system of other major airlines, preferring the `` point - to - point '' system, combined with a `` rolling hub '' model in its larger cities. Top cities Southwest Airlines top served cities ( as of January 25, 2018 ) City Daily departures Number of gates Cities served nonstop Service began Ref. Chicago -- Midway 259 32 69 1985 Baltimore -- Washington 227 32 64 1993 Las Vegas 219 24 57 1982 Denver 208 24 65 2006 Phoenix -- Sky Harbor 188 24 53 1982 Orlando 186 20 54 Dallas -- Love Field 180 18 57 1971 Houston -- Hobby 168 25 57 1971 Los Angeles 133 15 32 1982 Oakland 126 15 35 Atlanta 125 18 39 2012 Tampa 122 13 43 St. Louis 119 15 49 1985 San Diego 115 11 33 1982 Nashville 111 12 38 1986 Fort Lauderdale 96 12 45 San Jose ( CA ) 92 8 24 1993 Sacramento 85 11 22 1991 Kansas City 80 9 31 1982 New Orleans 71 6 29 1979 Austin 70 6 34 1977 Airline partnerships Present Southwest does not currently partner with any other airline. Past Icelandair : In 1997, Southwest and Icelandair entered into interline and marketing agreements allowing for joint fares, coordinated schedules, transfer of passenger luggage between the two airlines in Baltimore and a place connecting passengers between several U.S. cities and several European cities. The frequent flyer programs were not included in the agreement. This arrangement lasted for several years but ended when Icelandair 's service from BWI to KEF ended in January 2007. ATA Airlines : In a departure from its traditional `` go it alone '' strategy, Southwest entered into its first domestic codesharing arrangement with ATA, which enabled Southwest Airlines to serve ATA markets in Hawaii, Washington, D.C. and New York City. At the time of ATA 's demise in April 2008, the airline offered over 70 flights a week to Hawaii from Southwest 's focus cities in PHX, LAS, LAX and OAK with connections available to many other cities across the United States. The ATA / Southwest codeshare was terminated when ATA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 3, 2008. Southwest ultimately acquired the operating certificate and some of the landing rights of ATA in the ensuing proceedings. WestJet Airlines : On July 8, 2008, Southwest Airlines signed a codeshare agreement with WestJet of Canada, giving the two airlines the ability to sell seats on each other 's flights. Originally, the partnership was to be finalized by late 2009, but had been postponed due to economic conditions. On April 16, 2010, Southwest and WestJet airlines amicably agreed to terminate the implementation of a codeshare agreement between the two airlines. Volaris : Southwest signed its second international codeshare agreement on November 10, 2008, with Mexican low - cost carrier Volaris. The agreement allowed Southwest to sell tickets on Volaris flights. However, on February 22, 2013, the connecting agreement was terminated. It was said to be mutual between the airlines. Most industry experts believe that the expansion of the subsidiary of Southwest, AirTran Airways, into more Mexican markets, as a main reason for the termination of the agreement. AirTran Airways : After acquiring AirTran Airways in 2011, Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways took the first step in connecting their networks on January 26, 2013, by offering a small number of shared itineraries in five markets. The agreement ended after AirTran became fully integrated into Southwest on December 28, 2014. Fleet Since its inception Southwest Airlines has almost exclusively operated Boeing 737 aircraft ( except for a brief period when it leased and flew some Boeing 727 - 200 aircraft ). Southwest is the world 's largest operator of the Boeing 737, and was the launch customer of the 737 - 300, 737 - 500, and 737 - 700. Southwest Airlines is also poised to be the launch customer for the 737 MAX 7. Southwest Airlines was operating the following aircraft as of April 15, 2018 : Southwest Airlines fleet Aircraft Current Orders Passengers Notes Boeing 737 - 700 512 -- 143 Boeing 737 - 800 194 175 Deliveries through 2018. Boeing 737 MAX 7 -- 30 150 Launch customer ; scheduled to be delivered from 2019. 24 aircraft deferred past 2023. Boeing 737 MAX 8 14 266 175 Entered revenue service on October 1, 2017. Received the 10,000 th 737 Total 720 300 Southwest added the Boeing 737 - 700 to its fleet on December 17, 1997. Southwest added the Boeing 737 - 800 to its fleet on April 11, 2012. The aircraft has 175 seats, 32 more than the former largest 737s in Southwest 's fleet. After completing the purchase of AirTran Airways, Southwest Airlines acquired AirTran 's existing fleet of Boeing 717 aircraft. However, Southwest elected not to integrate them into its fleet and currently leases them to Delta Air Lines. On December 13, 2011, Southwest placed a firm order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, becoming the launch customer for the type ( although the launch customer of the 737 MAX 8 has since been switched to Malindo Air ). On May 15, 2013, Southwest became the launch customer for the Boeing 737 MAX 7 aircraft and now has 30 MAX 7 aircraft on order. The first delivery is expected in 2019. On August 29, 2017, Southwest Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8, making it the first airline in United States to do so. The airline was also the first in the United States to operate the aircraft on scheduled revenue passenger flights, which began October 1, 2017. On January 2, 2018, Southwest converted 40 options into firm orders for the Boeing 737 MAX 8, bringing total orders of the variant to 210 aircraft. On the same day, the airline also announced that it was deferring 23 deliveries of the Boeing 737 MAX 7 to 2023 - 2024 and beyond. On April 26, 2018, Southwest exercised a further 40 options on the Boeing 737 MAX 8, converting them to firm orders. This establishes the airline as the largest 737 MAX customer with 280 total orders for the MAX 8 variant, and 310 aircraft total for the 737 MAX family. On March 13, 2018, Southwest Airlines took delivery of the 10,000 th Boeing 737, setting the Guinness World Record for Boeing which started producing the 737 in January 1967. This beat the previous record of 5,000 set back in 2006. This will be flown under tail number N8717M. There are no special markings on it at this time to commemorate it and it will fly under the standard Southwest color scheme. Historical fleet Southwest Airlines fleet history Aircraft Introduction Retired Replacement ( s ) Notes Boeing 727 - 200 1979 Boeing 737 - 300 Leased from Braniff International Airways, and People Express Airlines. Boeing 737 - 200 1971 2005 Boeing 737 - 700 Southwest 's first aircraft type. Boeing 737 - 500 1990 2016 Boeing 737 - 700 Launch customer. Boeing 737 - 300 1984 2017 Boeing 737 - 700 / - 800 / MAX 8 North American launch customer. Livery / paint Original Desert Gold livery, used until 2008 Southwest 's original primary livery was `` Desert Gold '' ( Gold, Red and Orange, with pinstripes of white separating each section of color ). The word Southwest appeared in white on the gold portion of the tail. On the original three 737 - 200s, from June 1971, on the left side of the aircraft, the word Southwest was placed along the upper rear portion of the fuselage, with the word Airlines painted on the tail N21SW. On the right side, the word Southwest was on the tail, but also had the word Airlines painted on the upper rear portion of the fuselage. N20SW. This was later revised to simply include `` Southwest '' on both sides of the tail. The airline 's Boeing 727 - 200s, operated briefly in the late 1970s and early 1980s, featured other variations on the livery ; one was painted in a shade of ochre instead of gold with stylized titles on the forward fuselage and an `` S '' logo on the tail, while others bore the standard livery ( albeit in metallic gold ) with the word `` Southwest '' moved from the tail to the forward fuselage. Canyon Blue livery used from 2001 - 2014 Southwest introduced the canyon blue livery on January 16, 2001, the first primary livery change in Southwest 's then - 30 - year history. Spirit One was the first aircraft painted in the canyon blue fleet color scheme. The second livery replaces the former primary color, `` Desert Gold '', with `` Canyon Blue '' and changes the Southwest text and pinstripes to gold. The orange and red stripes continued to be used. The pinstripe along the aircraft was drawn in a more curved pattern instead of the straight horizontal line separating the colors in the original. For aircraft equipped with blended winglets, the blended winglets were painted to include the text Southwest.com. Southwest completed repainting its entire fleet with the new `` Canyon Blue '' livery in early 2010 ; however, The Colleen Barrett Classic ( N714CB ), The Herbert D. Kelleher One ( N711HK ) and The Metallic Gold One ( N792SW, now repainted to Heart livery ), which are Boeing 737 -- 700 aircraft, retained a simplified version of the original `` Desert Gold '' livery. Heart livery used 2014 -- present A new livery, named `` Heart One '' and developed with firms GSD&M, Lippincott, VML, Razorfish, and Camelot Communications, was unveiled on September 8, 2014. The new livery uses a darker shade of blue. The orange stripe on the tail is changed to yellow ; both the red and yellow stripes are now enlarged in reverse pattern ; and the belly of the aircraft is now in blue and features a heart, which has been a symbol for Southwest during its 43 - year history. Additionally, the pinstripes are changed to a silver - gray ; and the Southwest text, now white, has been moved to the front of the fuselage. Lettering is in a font custom designed by Monotype, Southwest Sans. The web address was moved from the winglets to the engines. Special liveries and decals Some Southwest aircraft feature special liveries or are named with special decals. Southwest gives these aircraft special names, usually ending in `` One. '' All special liveries painted prior to Spirit One originally wore the standard Desert Gold, red and orange colors on the vertical stabilizer and rudder. Subsequent special liveries featured tails painted with the canyon blue livery, with all earlier specials repainted with the Spirit livery tail. Aircraft painted in special liveries have white painted blended winglets with two exceptions : Warrior One, which added the split scimitar winglet in May 2014, and Missouri One. Missouri One was the first special livery to feature a modified version of the Heart tail design, with the red and yellow ribbons shrunk in order to fit the Southwest wordmark as it is too large to be used on the fuselage as on other aircraft. Previous special livery aircraft are currently being repainted with the new tail design. Table of Southwest Airlines ' Special Liveries ( including photos ) Name Year Description Registration Photo Active 2,000 th `` Next Generation '' 737 2006 Southwest received the 2,000 th `` Next Generation '' 737 produced on July 27, 2006. It is marked with decals behind the nose and a commemorative placard on the upper part of the inside entry door frame. N248WN 35th Anniversary 2006 Combined the original primary livery with the canyon blue livery. N238WN 500th 737 2007 The plane also includes a dedication to Southwest 's loyal customers on the right side cabinet at the front entry door. N281WN Arizona One 1994 The flag of the state of Arizona applied across the aircraft. N383SW ( previous ) N955WN ( current ) California One 1995 The flag of the state of California applied across the aircraft. N609SW ( previous ) N943WN ( current ) Charles E. Taylor One 2007 Named in honor of Charles E. Taylor, the first aviation mechanic, who worked with the Wright brothers and who built the engine used on the Wright Flyer. N289CT ( previous ) N906WN ( current ) Colleen Barrett Classic / Heroine of The Heart 2008 Named in tribute to Colleen Barrett, the company 's former Executive Vice President. N714CB is painted in Southwest 's original livery and marked with a `` Southwest Classic '' decal. N266WN wears a special decal in honor of Colleeen Barrett. Colleen Barrett Classic ( N714CB ) Heroine of the Heart ( N266WN ) Colorado One 2012 The flag of the state of Colorado applied across the aircraft. This aircraft is also the 5,000 th 737 produced ; it has a placard stating that it is the 5,000 th 737 on the upper part of the inside entry door frame. N230WN Florida One The flag of the state of Florida applied across the aircraft. N945WN The Fred J. Jones 1984 In honor of Fred J. Jones, one of Southwest 's original employees. Signature on the nose. It later became Southwest 's only 737 -- 200 to be painted in the Canyon Blue livery when it was applied in 2001. The aircraft was retired in 2005 and replaced in the same year with a 737 -- 700 with the same signature on the nose. N96SW ( previous ) N201LV ( current ) Green Plane 2009 Served as a test aircraft for new environmentally responsible materials and customer comfort products. When combined, the initiatives equated to weight savings of about five pounds per seat, saving fuel and reducing emissions, along with adding recyclable elements to the cabin interior and reducing waste. The aircraft also included a decal rendition of the Southwest corporate logo in green on the side of the fuselage. N222WN Heart One & Heart Two 2014 The first two aircraft painted in the new Southwest Heart livery. N8642E ( One ), N8645A ( Two ) The Herbert D. Kelleher One 2008 Named in honor of Herbert D. Kelleher, the company 's former CEO and Chairman and painted in Southwest 's original livery. N711HK Illinois One 2008 The flag of the state of Illinois applied across the aircraft. In February 2015, the tail of the aircraft was repainted to the Heart livery tail, but the aircraft fuselage remained the same. N918WN Lone Star One 1990 The flag of the state of Texas applied across the aircraft. The livery was applied to a 737 - 700 ( N931WN ) on July 13, 2016 with the new Heart tail. This is because N352SW was retired on May 16, 2016 at Dallas Love Field. N352SW ( previous ) N931WN ( current ) Louisiana One 2018 The flag of the state of Louisiana applied across the aircraft. In spirit and recognition of the Pelican State, several pelicans are painted across the aircraft. N946WN Maryland One 2005 The flag of the state of Maryland applied across the aircraft. N214WN Missouri One 2015 The flag of the state of Missouri applied across the aircraft. The first special livery with the Heart tail ( not counting Heart One and Heart Two ). This aircraft was formerly painted in the Penguin One livery. N280WN Nevada One 1999 The flag of the state of Nevada applied across the aircraft. N727SW New Mexico One 2000 The flag of the state of New Mexico applied across the aircraft. N781WN The Spirit of Hope Overhead bins are covered in artwork from kids at a Ronald McDonald House in Washington State. N443WN The Spirit of Kitty Hawk 1984 Livery and title introduced the first three Boeing 737 -- 300 aircraft to the Southwest Airlines fleet. All three aircraft ( N300SW, N301SW, N302SW ) have been retired since. N448WN, a 737 - 700, was delivered on the 100th Anniversary of the Wright brothers ' first flight. N300SW ( previous ) N301SW ( previous ) N302SW ( previous ) N448WN ( current ) Tennessee One 2016 The flag of the state of Tennessee applied across the aircraft. This aircraft honors the airline 's 30 - year presence in Nashville. This aircraft was formerly painted in the Sports Illustrated One livery. N922WN Triple Crown One Livery dedicated to the employees of Southwest, in recognition of Southwest receiving five Triple Crown airline industry awards ( best on - time record, best baggage handling, and fewest customer complaints ). The overhead bins in Triple Crown One are inscribed with the names of all employees that worked for Southwest at the time, in honor of their part in winning the award. On May 22, 2015, Southwest announced on its blog that N409WN has been repainted in Triple Crown One livery with a special Heart livery tail. N647SW was retired August 15, 2017. Final flight for this - 300 was from BWI - VCV for storage prior to disposition. N647SW ( previous ) N409WN ( current ) Warrior One 2012 Named in salute of the Southwest Employees ' Warrior Spirit, and was the first Boeing 737 -- 800 to enter Southwest service. It will keep the Southwest Spirit ( Canyon Blue ) livery. N8301J Retired Beats by Dre 2015 Beats headphones painted making it look like the plane is wearing it. Used to promote Apple 's streaming subscription service on Southwest 's WIFI equipped aircraft. Headphones were removed in 2016 N909WN Coco 2017 Painted to promote the premiere of Disney / Pixar 's Coco N7816B Jack Vidal One 1995 First flew on February 27, 1995. It was delivered to Southwest on March 10, 1995. Retired September 4, 2017. Final flight was into Victorville, CA for storage. N601WN June M. Morris 1994 In honor of June Morris ( founder of Morris Air ), Signature and Morris Air logo on the nose. Retired - Final flight August 14, 2017 DAL - VCV for storage prior to disposition. N607SW Kidd 's Kids 2014 Painted to celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Kraddick Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show listeners, 54 kids and their families went to Disney World on the Kidd 's Kids plane N905WN Live In The Vineyard 2012 Painted to promote Southwest and Live In The Vineyard 's partnership N240WN N241WN N950WN N798SW Metallic Gold One 2007 The last aircraft delivered to Southwest in the original livery. This aircraft is currently in the Heart livery. N792SW Nolan Ryan Express 1999 Commemorative sticker dedicated to famous Texas pitcher Nolan Ryan who is MLB 's all - time strikeout leader with 5,714 strikeouts. The decal was removed, and the plane was repainted to the standard Heart livery. N742SW Penguin One 2013 To commemorate the 25th year of Southwest Airlines ' partnership with SeaWorld, an aircraft was painted with penguins and advertisements for SeaWorld. This aircraft was repainted into the Missouri One livery because Southwest 's partnership with SeaWorld has come to an end. N280WN Silver One 25th Anniversary aircraft. Originally polished bare metal, it was later painted silver for easier maintenance. It was then re-painted with a silver metallic paint. This aircraft also featured silver seats, which were replaced to conform with the rest of the fleet for simplicity. Silver One also featured silver heart shaped drink stirrers. Most recently Silver One was repainted in the fleet standard Canyon Blue theme due to the silver paint looking dingy and the company felt it did not fit the company 's cheerful, bright personality. The Silver One nose logo remained but the interior was replaced with the fleet standard blue and tan. Retired - Final flight August 15, 2017 ATL - VCV for storage prior to disposition. N629SW Shamu Five aircraft ( a Boeing 737 - 300, two 737 - 500s, and later two 737 - 700s ) were painted to look like an orca at various times, with advertisements for SeaWorld. The 737 - 300 was retired in 2012, and 737 - 700s were repainted to the standard Southwest heart livery following the end of Southwest 's partnership with SeaWorld. N334SW ( One ) N507SW ( Two ) N501SW ( Three ) N713SW ( Two ) N715SW ( Three ) Shark Week 2016 Painted to promote Discovery Channel 's shark week. Both planes were painted to the normal heart livery. N422WN N944WN Slam Dunk One 2005 Basketball superimposed on side of aircraft and a different NBA team logo on each overhead bin in the cabin, recognizing Southwest 's partnership with the National Basketball Association. On October 11, 2010 Southwest Airlines and the National Basketball Association ended their partnership and the aircraft was repainted to standard canyon blue livery. N224WN Spirit One 30th Anniversary aircraft, first aircraft in canyon blue paint scheme. This aircraft is currently in the Heart livery. N793SA Sports Illustrated One 2009 A large decal of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model Bar Refaeli adorned the fuselage of N922WN for the month of February 2009. This aircraft was painted in the Tennessee One livery seven years later. N922WN Tinker Bell One 2008 Includes the logo of the Tinker Bell movie and a sticker featuring the phrase `` Powered by Pixie Dust. '' N912WN Notes * ^ 1 Subsequent to the retirement of Southwest 's 737 - 200s, the 737 - 500s began to stay within a smaller geographic area formerly operated by the 737 - 200s and as such, Sea World was no longer getting the optimal national exposure from these two aircraft. Consequently, the livery was applied to the two 737 - 700s in 2005. The artwork on the nose of each aircraft stated `` Shamu '', and ads for Sea World were displayed on the overhead bins. Passenger experience The neutrality of this section is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. ( October 2017 ) Southwest operates using a unique boarding process. Southwest Airlines spirit interior introduced in 2001, succeeded by the evolve interior Southwest offers free in - flight non-alcoholic beverages and offers alcoholic beverages for sale for $6 - 7 / beverage, with Rapid Rewards members eligible to receive drinks vouchers with their tickets. Free alcoholic drinks are offered on popular holidays such as New Year 's Day, Valentine 's Day and Mardi Gras, provided the passenger is at least 21. Southwest has complimentary peanuts or pretzels on all flights, and most flights have free Nabisco snacks. Southwest is known for colorful boarding announcements and crews that burst out in song, which is quite popular among passengers. Southwest maintains excellent customer satisfaction ratings ; according to the Department of Transportation ( DOT ) Southwest ranks number one ( lowest number of complaints ) of all U.S. airlines for customer complaints. Southwest Airlines has consistently received the fewest ratio of complaints per passengers boarded of all major U.S. carriers that have been reporting statistics to the DOT since 1987, which is when the DOT began tracking customer satisfaction statistics and publishing its Air Travel Consumer Report. Prior to 2007, Southwest boarded passengers by grouping the passengers into three groups, labeled A, B and C. Passengers would line up at their specified letter and board. In 2007, Southwest modified their boarding procedure by introducing a number. Each passenger receives a letter ( A, B or C ) and a number 1 through 60. Passengers line up in numerical order within each letter group and choose any open seat on the aircraft as part of Southwest 's open seating policy. According to a 2012 study by Mythbusters, this is the fastest method currently in use for non-first class passengers to board a plane ; on average, it is 10 minutes faster than the standard method used by most airlines of boarding from the back frontward. In - flight Entertainment A Southwest 737 - 800 with the evolve interior and old branding, succeeded by the heart interior All Southwest Airlines aircraft are equipped with Wi - Fi, free streaming live television, and movies on demand for a fee. After completing a testing phase that began in February 2009, Southwest announced on August 21, 2009 that it would begin rolling out in - flight Wi - Fi Internet connectivity via Global Eagle Entertainment 's satellite - broadband based product. Southwest began adding Wi - Fi to its aircraft in the first quarter of 2010. The airline began testing streaming live television in the summer of 2012 and video on demand in January 2013. As of 2017, live in - flight video and realtime flight tracking information via Wi - Fi are available for free to all passengers, with full Internet access available at a fee for regular passengers and free to A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards members. Evolve interior On January 17, 2012, Southwest introduced a plan to retrofit its fleet with a new interior. Improvements include a modern cabin design, lighter and more comfortable seats made of eco-friendly products, increased under - seat space, new netted seatback pockets to provide more knee room, a new fixed - wing headrest and improved ergonomics. All Boeing 737 - 700s, 115 - 800s and 30 737 - 300s have the Evolve Interior. Though not originally planned, because of space saved, Southwest was able to fit an extra row of seats on its planes. All Boeing 737 - 800s have the Boeing Sky Interior, which features sculpted sidewalls and redesigned window housings, along with increased headroom and LED mood lighting. Heart interior On June 20, 2016, Southwest introduced its newest interior, called the Heart Interior. It includes the widest seat to fit a Boeing 737 that provides additional space for passengers and also includes a new galley. The seat is being delivered on all new 737 - 800s and 737 MAX aircraft. All current evolve equipped 737s will be retrofitted with new bulkheads and bold blue seat cushions to match the look of the heart interior. Rapid Rewards Southwest first began to offer a frequent - flyer program on June 20, 1987, calling it The Company Club. Unlike some competitors ' programs that were based on miles flown ( but not Northwest Airlines ), The Company Club credited for trips flown regardless of distance. Southwest Airlines renamed its frequent flyer program Rapid Rewards on April 25, 1996. The original Rapid Rewards program offered one credit per one - way flight from an origin to a destination including any stops or connections on Southwest Airlines. When 16 credits were accumulated in a 24 - month period, Southwest awarded one free round - trip ticket that was valid for 12 months. On March 1, 2011, Rapid Rewards changed to a points system based on ticket cost. Members earn and redeem points based on a three - tier fare scale multiplier and the cost of the ticket. Changes also included no blackout dates, seat restrictions or expiring credits. It also adds more options to use points. Southwest Vacations Southwest Vacations is the vacation package provider for Southwest Airlines. Southwest Vacations was founded May 14, 1989, and has since been operated by The Mark Travel Corporation ( TMTC ). The parent company of TMTC is La Macchia Enterprises, which was founded in 1983. Southwest Vacations ' products primarily focus on flight and hotel vacation packages to destinations within the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Incidents Southwest Airlines incidents include 3 deaths : 1 accidental passenger death inflight, 1 non-passenger death on the ground, 1 passenger death from injuries he sustained when he was subdued while breaking into the cockpit. Southwest has had 8 accidents ; including 2 aircraft hull losses. The airline was considered among the 10 safest in the world in 2012. Southwest Airlines incidents and accidents Flight Date Aircraft Location Description Injuries 1455 March 5, 2000 Boeing 737 - 300 Burbank, California The aircraft overran the runway upon landing at Burbank - Glendale - Pasadena Airport, now called Hollywood Burbank Airport, Burbank, California, injuring 43. The incident resulted in the dismissal of the Captain. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. 43 injuries 1763 August 11, 2000 Boeing 737 - 700 In flight Passenger Jonathan Burton broke through the cockpit door aboard Southwest Airlines Flight 1763 while en route from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City. In self - defense, the other passengers restrained Burton, who later died of the resulting injuries. 1 death 1248 December 8, 2005 Boeing 737 - 700 Chicago, Illinois The aircraft overran the runway during landing at Chicago Midway International Airport in heavy snow conditions. A six - year - old boy died in a car struck by the plane after it slid into a street. Passengers on board the aircraft and on the ground reported several minor injuries. The aircraft involved, N471WN, became N286WN after repairs. 1 death ( on ground ) ; Several injuries 2294 July 13, 2009 Boeing 737 - 300 Charleston, West Virginia The flight from Nashville International Airport to Baltimore - Washington International Airport was forced to divert to Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia, after a hole formed on the top of the plane 's fuselage near the tail, resulting in depressurization of the cabin and deployment of the oxygen masks. The aircraft landed safely. None 812 April 1, 2011 Boeing 737 - 300 Yuma, Arizona The flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Sacramento International Airport operated with a Boeing 737 -- 300 aircraft registered N632SW, was forced to declare an emergency and divert to Yuma International Airport after a hole appeared in the top of the aircraft fuselage. The aircraft landed approximately 40 minutes after takeoff from Phoenix. 2 minor injuries 345 July 22, 2013 Boeing 737 - 700 Queens, New York The flight from Nashville International Airport crash - landed at New York 's LaGuardia Airport after touching down hard, nose - gear first. `` ( T ) he nose gear gave away so violently that the jet 's electronics bay was penetrated by the landing gear with only the right axle still attached. '' The Boeing 737 traveled 633 metres ( 2,077 ft ) down the runway with its nose scraping, generating a shower of sparks, coming to rest slightly off the runway. Damage to the 13 - year - old aircraft, registered N753SW, was substantial. The captain of Flight WN345 was fired, and the aircraft was ultimately removed by barge for scrapping in Albany, New York. 10 minor injuries 3472 August 27, 2016 Boeing 737 - 700 Pensacola, Florida The flight from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to Orlando International Airport suffered an uncontained engine failure while at cruising altitude. The engine cowling suffered major damage, with the inlet being completely torn off. Fragments from the engine also caused a gash in the fuselage. The 16 - year - old Boeing 737 - 700 diverted and landed without incident at Pensacola International Airport. Passengers say that they `` heard a loud boom and smoke trailing from the left engine, and saw metal flapping after the smoke cleared. '' The NTSB is currently investigating the incident as an `` uncontained engine failure '' event. None 1380 April 17, 2018 Boeing 737 - 700 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The flight from New York - LaGuardia to Dallas made an emergency landing at Philadelphia International Airport after the left engine exploded. The resulting shrapnel smashed a passenger window. The resulting depressurization pushed a passenger partially out of the window, causing critical injuries which led to her death. 1 death ; 7 minor injuries Controversies and passenger incidents See also : Access Now v. Southwest Airlines and Flying while Muslim § Southwest Airlines On June 22, 2011, a March 25 recording of an in - flight transmission of Southwest pilot Captain James Taylor apparently unintentionally broadcasting a conversation with his first officer was released to the press. The conversation was peppered with foul language directed at gay, overweight, and older flight attendants. According to Southwest, the pilot was reprimanded and temporarily suspended without pay and received diversity education before being reinstated. Captain Taylor also sent an e-mail apology to all of Southwest 's employees, especially the crew members who were criticized. On September 26, 2017, a woman was removed from a Southwest flight after claiming to have a life - threatening allergy to dogs, two of which were present on the aircraft, and having to be removed by law enforcement after failing to follow the instructions of airline staff. Only one of the two dogs present was a service animal though. After learning about the woman 's allergy, Southwest employees requested that she prove her condition with the correct documentation. When she failed to do so, staff asked her to exit the aircraft multiple times. She refused, which prompted law enforcement to step in and remove the passenger. The interactions between the woman and the officers were recorded and posted online to many social media platforms, and gained much attention. On December 29, 2017, a family was kicked off a flight from Chicago Midway Airport to Santa Ana, California because of an unconfirmed lice accusation. The family did not have lice after all, and was rebooked on the next flight. See also Dallas - Fort Worth portal Companies portal Aviation portal Air transportation in the United States Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic The Southwest Effect Transportation in the United States References ^ Jump up to : `` Southwest Airlines Co. 2017 Annual Report ( Form 10 - K ) ''. sec.gov. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. January 2018. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines -- A Brief History ''. southwest.com. Southwest Airlines Co. 2009. Archived from the original on August 18, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2011. More than 38 years ago, Rollin King and Herb Kelleher got together to start a different kind of airline. Jump up ^ `` 1966 to 1971 ''. swamedia.com. Southwest Airlines Co. 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011. March 15, 1967 Air Southwest Co. is incorporated. ^ Jump up to : `` Fact Sheet ''. swamedia.com. Southwest Airlines Co. 2016. Archived from the original on May 3, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2011. Jump up ^ `` April 2016 Schedule is Here ! No Foolin ' ! - Nuts About Southwest ''. Nuts About Southwest. Jump up ^ `` The world 's largest airlines ''. The Economist. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Co. - American corporation ''. britannica.com. Retrieved November 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Malice in Dallas part 1 '' `` Youtube '' Retrieved on October 8, 2009 Jump up ^ `` Malice in Dallas Kevin & Jackie Freiberg ''. Freibergs.com. 1992 - 03 - 23. Retrieved 2013 - 07 - 29. Jump up ^ `` Malice in Dallas ( Round 3 and results ) '' `` Youtube '' Retrieved on October 8, 2009 Jump up ^ The Honor Flight Network ( 22 May 2009 ). `` SOUTHWEST AIRLINES : Named Official Commercial Airline of the Honor Flight Network '' ( Press release ). Dallas, Texas : PRNewswire. Jump up ^ `` Mission & Goals ''. Honor Flight Network. Archived from the original on October 3, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Corporate Headquarters, Love Field, Dallas. '' Southwest Airlines. Retrieved on February 18, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines breaks ground on $100 M HQ expansion in Dallas, plans to add 1,000 employees -- Dallas Business Journal ''. Bizjournals.com. September 17, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Reports Third Quarter Profit ''. investorroom.com. September 30, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Herbert D. Kelleher -- Officer Biographies -- Southwest Airlines Newsroom ''. swamedia.com. Retrieved April 3, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Announces Executive Promotions ''. swamedia.com. Retrieved January 10, 2017. Jump up ^ `` SWAPA ''. SWAPA. March 27, 2008. Retrieved August 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` AMFA Home ''. Amfanatl.org. Retrieved August 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Promotions and Sponsorships ''. www.southwest.com. Retrieved April 18, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Chinese New Year Festival & Parade ''. Chinese New Year Festival & Parade. Retrieved April 8, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Southwest ''. Southwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines Co. Retrieved April 8, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Bamber, G.J., Gittell, J.H., Kochan, T.A. & von Nordenflytch, A. ( 2009 ). `` Up in the Air : How Airlines Can Improve Performance by Engaging their Employees ''. Cornell University Press, Ithaca. CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list ( link ) Jump up ^ Strauss, Michael ( 2010 ) : Value Creation in Travel Distribution, https://www.amazon.com/dp/0557612462 ^ Jump up to : `` Track 2 -- Corridor Programs of the Federal Railroad Administration 's High - Speed Intercity Passenger Rail ( HSIPR ) Program, Application Form '' 2009 ; see ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/stimulus/t_bone.pdf Jump up ^ `` Southwest Corporate Fact Sheet ''. Retrieved April 18, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Flight attendants ''. Southwest Airlines. Retrieved August 7, 2017. Jump up ^ `` City Fact Sheets -- City Fact Sheets ''. Southwest Airlines Co. Jump up ^ https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/htcpi66732/attachments/htcpi66732/stories/46285/1/Summer2017SkedFreqs.pdf Jump up ^ `` Airport Information ''. www.southwest.com. Retrieved April 18, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Chicago ( Midway ) '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Baltimore '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Las Vegas '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Denver '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Phoenix '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Orlando '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Dallas ( Love Field ) '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Houston ( Hobby ) '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Los Angeles '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Oakland '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Atlanta '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Tampa '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` St. Louis '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` San Diego '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Nashville '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Fort Lauderdale '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` San Jose '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Sacramento '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Kansas City '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` New Orleans '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Austin '' ( PDF ). Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ Rob Kaiser ( February 21, 1997 ). `` Southwest may add cities to Iceland deal ''. Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved June 10, 2007. Jump up ^ Terry, Robert J. ( December 10, 2007 ). `` Icelandair stopping flights out of BWI ''. bizjournals.com. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Newsroom : Releases ''. Swamedia.com. 2008 - 04 - 03. Retrieved 2013 - 07 - 29. Jump up ^ `` Southwest, WestJet sign code - sharing pact ''. The Dallas Morning News. July 9, 2008. Archived from the original on October 17, 2008. Retrieved August 22, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Southwest, WestJet delay codeshare ''. Reuters. May 25, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2009. Jump up ^ Your name : * ( April 30, 2009 ). `` Swa To Offer Online Link To Volaris Service On Southwest.Com Nuts About Southwest ''. Blogsouthwest.com. Retrieved August 22, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Southwest and Volaris to end partnership ''. Flightglobal.com. 2013 - 02 - 07. Retrieved 2013 - 06 - 20. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Fleet Details and History ''. www.swamedia.com. Retrieved 2018 - 03 - 19. Jump up ^ `` '' Southwest Reports Third Quarter Profit `` ''. Southwest Airlines. October 26, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Launches 737 MAX 7, Converts 30 737 NG Orders ''. Retrieved May 15, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Southwest Airlines shows off new Boeing 737 MAX ''. star-telegram.com. Retrieved September 24, 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Southwest converts options for 40 more 737 Max 8s ''. Flightglobal.com. 2018 - 01 - 02. Retrieved 2018 - 01 - 03. Jump up ^ Lori Ranson ( December 15, 2010 ). `` Southwest to take delivery of first 737 -- 800 in March 2012 ''. Flightglobal. Retrieved January 25, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Newsroom : Releases ''. Swamedia.com. Retrieved December 19, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Delta to add Boeing 717s in 2013, replacing smaller jets ''. worldairlinenews.com. Retrieved October 5, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Southwest Airlines Will Become Launch Customer for the New Boeing 737 Max Aircraft ''. Southwest Airlines. December 13, 2011. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Returns Value To Shareholders ''. Retrieved May 15, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Takes Delivery of First Boeing 737 MAX 8 ''. Airways Magazine. Retrieved August 29, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines to Boeing : We 'll take the large ''. Retrieved January 3, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Southwest exercises another 40 737 Max 8 options ''. Flightglobal.com. 2018 - 04 - 26. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 27. Jump up ^ `` Boeing Celebrates the Guinness World Record 737 Program with its 10,000 th Aircraft ''. airwaysmag.com. 2018 - 03 - 13. Retrieved 2018 - 03 - 14. Jump up ^ `` Aviation Photo # 1450565 : Boeing 727 - 291 - Southwest Airlines ( Braniff International Airways ) ''. airliners.net. Retrieved September 24, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Aviation Photo # 0682325 : Boeing 727 - 227 / Adv - Southwest Airlines ''. airliners.net. Retrieved September 24, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Southwest unveils first new livery since 2001 '' ( Press release ). Dallas, TX : In Airline News. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Newsroom : By Category ''. Swamedia.com. Retrieved 2013 - 07 - 29. Jump up ^ `` Site Search ' N248WN ' - Planespotters.net Just Aviation ''. planespotters.net. Retrieved November 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Site Search ' N238WN ' - Planespotters.net Just Aviation ''. planespotters.net. Retrieved November 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Site Search ' N281WN ' - Planespotters.net Just Aviation ''. planespotters.net. Retrieved November 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Charles E. Taylor ''. southwest.com. May 14, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Specialty Aircraft - By Category - Southwest Airlines Newsroom ''. swamedia.com. Retrieved November 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Special Liveries That Separate Southwest from the Pack -- Airways Magazine ''. airwaysnews.com. Retrieved November 15, 2016. Jump up ^ Southwest Airlines Newsroom : By Date Jump up ^ `` N711HK Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 - 7H4 ( WL ) - cn 27845 / 38 ''. planespotters.net. Retrieved November 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Reveals New `` Lone Star One '' Texas State Aircraft - Airways Magazine ``. July 18, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2018. Jump up ^ `` N352SW - Retired ''. Flight Alert. Retrieved 19 October 2017. Jump up ^ `` Welcome, Louisiana One ! ''. March 7, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Southwest 's `` The Spirit of Kitty Hawk '' ( N448WN ) ``. www.visitingphx.com. Retrieved 2016 - 04 - 09. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Honors State Of Tennessee With Chart - Topping Tribute : Unveiling Tennessee One Aircraft ''. southwest.com. Retrieved November 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Introducing Our New Triple Crown One ''. southwest.com. May 22, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` N647SW - Retired ''. Flight Alert. Retrieved 19 October 2017. Jump up ^ `` Meet Warrior One, Southwest 's Newest ( and Biggest ) Plane ''. texasmonthly.com. January 21, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Registration Data ''. Flight Aware. Retrieved 19 October 2017. Jump up ^ `` N607SW Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 - 3H4 ( WL ) - cn 27927 / 2741 ''. planespotters.net. Retrieved November 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` N607SW - Retired ''. Flight Aware. Retrieved 19 October 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Joint Statement on Southwest and SeaWorld Partnership -- Southwest Airlines Newsroom ''. swamedia.com. Retrieved April 3, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Silver One - Our Aircraft - Southwest Airlines Newsroom ''. swamedia.com. Retrieved November 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` N629SW - Retired ''. Flight Aware. Retrieved 19 October 2017. Jump up ^ Dallas Morning News Aviation Blog Jump up ^ Shrink, Here Comes the ( June 15, 2015 ). `` Southwest : 44 Years of Awesome Liveries ''. herecomestheshrink.com. Retrieved November 15, 2016. Jump up ^ Kasperkevic, Jana ( 13 March 2012 ). `` Southwest Airlines Has A Secret Weapon To Make Everyone Love Flying ''. Business Insider. Retrieved 2014 - 11 - 06. Jump up ^ Forgione, Mary ( 18 April 2014 ). `` Southwest, other airlines take safety talks to new, hilarious heights ''. LA Times. Retrieved 2014 - 11 - 06. Jump up ^ Goldstein, Sasha ( 2014 - 04 - 14 ). `` Southwest Airlines flight attendant gives hilarious safety speech ''. NY Daily News. Retrieved 2014 - 11 - 06. Jump up ^ David Grossman ( October 17, 2005 ). `` I do n't hate Southwest anymore ''. USA Today. Retrieved June 10, 2007. ^ Jump up to : Lollis, Barbara De ( September 19, 2007 ). `` Southwest to Change Boarding Process -- ABC 123 News ''. Abcnews.com. Retrieved December 19, 2012. Jump up ^ Stromberg, Joseph. The way we board airplanes makes absolutely no sense. Vox, 2014 - 04 - 25. Jump up ^ `` WiFi Access -- Southwest Airlines ''. Southwest.com. Retrieved 2012 - 02 - 28. Jump up ^ Vargo, Angela ( 2013 - 02 - 19 ). `` Video Nuts About Southwest ''. Blogsouthwest.com. Retrieved 2013 - 06 - 20. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Newsroom : Releases ''. Swamedia.com. 2012 - 01 - 17. Retrieved 2013 - 07 - 29. Jump up ^ `` Fully Branded Heart Interiors Southwest Airlines Wears Its Heart On Its Sleeve : Carrier Announces Employee - Designed Uniforms And Fully Branded Heart Interiors ''. southwestairlinesinvestorrelations.com. June 20, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Selects Seat for Future Boeing 737 - 800 and 737 MAX Aircraft -- Southwest Airlines Newsroom ''. Retrieved December 3, 2016. Jump up ^ `` 1985 to 1989 ''. swamedia.com. Southwest Airlines Co. 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011... Southwest introduces `` The Company Club, '' a frequent flyer program based on total trips flown, regardless of distance... Jump up ^ `` 1995 to 1997 ''. swamedia.com. Southwest Airlines Co. 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011. `` Rapid Rewards '' officially takes the place of `` The Company Club '' as the new name for our frequent flier program. Jump up ^ `` Rapid Rewards Membership Rules ''. southwest.com. Southwest Airlines Co. August 2, 2010. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011. One credit will be given for each Southwest Airlines flight flown. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Introduces The All - New Rapid Rewards Program ! ''. swamedia.com. Southwest Airlines Co. January 5, 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011... Rapid Rewards program, the carrier 's frequent flyer program... Jump up ^ `` Redeem Points ''. southwest.com. Southwest Airlines Co. 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2010. Lower fares require fewer points. Jump up ^ Green, Ryan. `` Blog Nuts About Southwest ''. Blogsouthwest.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2012. Retrieved July 29, 2013. Jump up ^ `` About Us - Southwest Vacations ''. www.southwestvacations.com. Retrieved 2018 - 02 - 08. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Vacations - Official Vacation Packages of Southwest Airlines ''. www.southwestvacations.com. Retrieved 2018 - 02 - 19. Jump up ^ `` In depth : World 's Safest Airlines ''. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012. Jump up ^ `` NTSB Summary Report '' ( PDF ). Jump up ^ Salt Lake City police. `` Police report ''. Retrieved June 22, 2007. Jump up ^ Shawn Nottingham ; Stephanie Gallman ( July 14, 2009 ). `` Jet makes landing with football - sized hole ''. CNN. Retrieved July 14, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Six foot hole opens in 737 during flight ''. AP / KING 5. Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 4, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2011. Jump up ^ Stark, Lisa ( July 26, 2013 ). `` Southwest Plane 's Nose Gear Landed ( First ), NTSB Says ''. ABCNews.go.com. ABC News. Retrieved August 29, 2013. Jump up ^ Allen, Jonathan ( July 23, 2013 ). `` U.S. probes Southwest Air 's LaGuardia landing ''. Chicago Tribune. Reuters. Retrieved August 29, 2013. Jump up ^ CBS / AP ( July 24, 2013 ). `` Southwest Airlines Flight 345 's nose gear `` collapsed rearward, '' NTSB says ``. CBSNews.com. Retrieved August 29, 2013. Jump up ^ NTSB Press Release ( August 6, 2013 ). `` NTSB issues second investigative update on Southwest Airlines accident in New York ''. NTSB.gov. Retrieved August 29, 2013. Jump up ^ Schlangenstein, Mary. `` Southwest Fires Captain Over LaGuardia Nose - First Landing ''. Bloomberg. Retrieved 13 March 2015. Jump up ^ `` Passenger jet suffers major engine malfunction in mid-air ''. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 28. Jump up ^ `` Passenger 's photo shows shredded engine outside plane 's window ''. CNN. CNN. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018. ^ Jump up to : Joyce, Kathleen ( 17 April 2018 ). `` Southwest Airlines plane 's engine explodes ; 1 passenger dead ''. Fox News. Fox News. Retrieved 17 April 2018. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Engine Failure, Emergency Landing & One Passenger Deceased ''. LoyaltyLobby. 2018 - 04 - 17. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 18. Jump up ^ Bacon, John. `` One dead after Southwest flight lands in Philadelphia with blown engine ''. USA Today. USA Today. Retrieved 17 April 2018. Jump up ^ `` Southwest disciplines pilot for rant during flight ''. CNN. June 23, 2011. CNN Travel -- Retrieved June 22, 2011 Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Pilot 's Rant -- Transcript, Here 's What He Said ''. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Southwest Airlines Pilot Broadcasts Hate For Flight Attendants Over ATC Radio -- Raw Audio File ''. Aviation News Today -- Retrieved June 22, 2011 Jump up ^ Rosenblatt, Kalhan ( 27 September 2017 ). `` Southwest Airlines Apologizes After Video Shows Woman Being Dragged off Plane ''. NBC News. Retrieved 21 February 2018. Jump up ^ Gant, Michelle ( 27 September 2017 ). `` Southwest Airlines passenger dragged off plane after claiming to have life - threatening pet allergy ''. Fox News. Retrieved 21 February 2018. Jump up ^ Darby, Adam ( 1 January 2018 ). `` Disneyland - bound family kicked off Southwest flight after unconfirmed lice accusation ''. The Kansas City Star. The McClatchy Company. Retrieved 21 February 2018. External links Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Air travel in the United States. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Southwest Airlines. Official website Corporate media site Southwest Airlines Seating Charts on SeatGuru.com Southwest Airlines Fleet Age Business data for Southwest Airlines : Google Finance Yahoo ! Finance Reuters SEC filings Southwest Airlines ' Yahoo ! Finance Profile StartupStudio -- Interview with Herb Kelleher on the founding of Southwest Airlines, recommendations for entrepreneurs and rule of thumb for raising venture funding Iflyswa.com ( Official website archive ) Southwest Airlines Subsidiaries AirTran Airways ATA Airlines Morris Air TranStar Airlines People Herb Kelleher Rollin King J. 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Question: which was the first airline to begin code-sharing agreements with southwest airlines
Answer: ATA Airlines