Southwest Airlines: In a Different World - Team 3
1.) Why has Southwest Airlines been more successful than its competitors?
Herb Kelleher and Rollin King established Southwest Airlines in 1967. For the first few years, Southwest Airlines battled illegal lawsuits from larger airlines that did not want Southwest to enter the market. After many years in the courts Southwest Airlines was able to offer flights to customers. Starting a new company with large expenses is not an easy task. Southwest Airlines had to find a way to stand out to customers so they could sell their airline tickets. In the beginning Southwest offered a low fair price to fly. One of their promotions was a one-way fare for only $20. Southwest wanted to expand their flights to more cities and needed more revenue. In order to increase their prices and not lose customers, Southwest promoted free alcoholic beverages with airfare. Many customers had no problem paying more for flights and Southwest expanded. Southwest did not charge for additional luggage, which helped out those who had an abundance of luggage on trips – giving them an advantage and separating them from other airlines.
Southwest also used many promotional schemes to attract new customers. One of them was “long legs and short skirts” for stewardesses on board the flights. The same person who hired hostesses for Hugh Hefner’s Playboy jet hired many of Southwest Airlines stewardesses. Southwest has always hired interesting employees with unique but fun personalities. Their flight attendants make flights more interesting to customers by creating an out-of-the-ordinary flight environment. Today, a flight attendant will sing to passengers about all the great things Southwest offers free on the plane before the flight begins. Uplifting the passenger helps give them a better vibe while on the flight. In 1995,
Southwest