We Weren't Just Airborne Yesterday.

Time flies when you're having fun!

Twenty-eight years ago, Rollin King and Herb Kelleher got together and decided to start a different kind of airline. They began with one simple notion: If you get your passengers to their destinations when they want to get there, on time, at the lowest possible fares, and make darn sure they have a good time doing it, people will fly your airline. And you know what? They were right.

Within 28 years, Southwest Airlines became the fifth largest major airline in America. With the addition of service to Hartford, Connecticut's Bradley International Airport on October 31, 1999, we fly more than 52 million passengers a year to 55 great cities (56 airports) all over the Southwest and beyond. And we do it over 2,450 times a day.

We've also got more than 295 of the newest jets in the nation, with an average age of 8.4 years. Included in our fleet are three flying killer whales, Shamu One, Two and Three; Lone Star One, painted like the Texas flag, to celebrate Southwest Airlines' 20th Anniversary in a style and manner second to none; Arizona One, a symbol of the importance of the state of Arizona to Southwest Airlines; California One, a high-flying tribute to the state of California; Silver One, our 25th Anniversary plane; Triple Crown One, dedicated to the Employees of Southwest Airlines for their marvelous achievement of five consecutive annual Triple Crown awards and the newest member of the family - Nevada One, a high-flying tribute to the state of Nevada.

In May 1988, we were the first airline to win the coveted Triple Crown for a month - Best On-time Record, Best Baggage Handling, and Fewest Customer Complaints. Since then we've won it more than thirty times, as well as five annual Triple Crowns for 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996.

And no other airline has contributed more to the advancement of the commercial airline industry. We were the first airline with a frequent flyer program to give credit for the number of trips taken and not the number of miles flown. We also pioneered senior discounts, Fun Fares, Fun Packs, a same-day air freight delivery service, ticketless travel, and many other unique programs.

We took a great idea and made it fly

Read on to find out more about this little upstart three-jet airline and how it got off the ground to become one of America's largest and best-loved commercial airlines in history:

1971

With President Lamar Muse at the helm, Southwest Airlines takes off on its maiden voyage and begins service between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. And America's most unique airline is born.

1972

All Houston service is transferred to Houston's Hobby Airport from Houston Intercontinental. "After all," said Herb Kelleher, co-founder of the airline, "why should our Customers have to drive 45 minutes to take a 40-minute flight?"

1973

What a year it was! Southwest files with the Texas Aeronautics Commission to extend service to the Rio Grande Valley. RUSH Cargo service, which provides same-day airport cargo delivery, is introduced. And Southwest has its first profitable year.

1974

Southwest carries its one millionth passenger and spends $400,000 to remodel their terminal at Houston's Hobby Airport by adding two new boarding gates and departure lounges.

1975

Permission was finally granted for Southwest to fly to the Rio Grande Valley via the Harlingen Airport with four roundtrips each business day. The Southwest was being won once again.

1976

Southwest gets clearance to begin spreading "love" to Austin, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Lubbock, and Midland/Odessa. And within five short years, Southwest places its sixth Boeing 737 into service while flying over one and a half million satisfied Customers to their destinations. Disco music, mood rings, and black light posters fade away, but Southwest Airlines was here to stay.

1977

Southwest carries its five millionth passenger! And Southwest stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange as "LUV."

1978

Lamar Muse steps down as President and Herb Kelleher fills in as interim President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board. Southwest aircraft N52 is christened the "Herbert D. Kelleher" to honor the airline's co-founder. Later in the year, Howard Putnam is unanimously elected President and Chief Executive Officer. Herb stays on as permanent Chairman of the Board.

1979

Self-ticketing machines are introduced in 10 cities to make it even faster and more convenient for people to fly Southwest. And we begin service to New Orleans from Dallas - the first city outside of Texas to be served by Southwest. With more planes, more flights and more responsive service, Southwest becomes America's "Company Plane."

1980

Southwest added its 22nd Boeing 737 to the family and christened it the "Rollin W. King" in honor of the co-founder of the airline. It was the first 737 to be completely owned by Southwest Airlines.

1981

Southwest celebrates a decade of "Love Southwest Style." With fun, games, and more savings for everyone, Southwest launches its next decade of outstanding service.

1982

Herbert D. Kelleher comes aboard as permanent President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board for Southwest Airlines. And Southwest spreads its wings to San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.

1983

Major schedule increases are adopted, three additional Boeing 737-200s are purchased, and Southwest flies over 9,500,000 satisfied Customers.

1984

Marks the fourth consecutive year Southwest is ranked number one in Customer satisfaction. Southwest Airlines' inflight magazine, Spirit, celebrates its 13th year of flying high. And Southwest unveils the first 300 series aircraft in its Boeing 737 fleet christened the "Spirit of Kitty Hawk."

1985

Southwest takes off with new service to St. Louis, Missouri and Chicago's convenient Midway Airport. Southwest names the Ronald McDonald House as its primary charity. And launches the "Just Say When" campaign, which establishes Southwest as the most convenient point-to-point carrier in the nation.

1986

Southwest celebrates 15 years of low fares, good times, and high spirits! Southwest fliers have even more fun with the introduction of Fun Fares. And over 13 million passengers came to think of us as "The Company Plane."

1987

Southwest celebrates the sixth year in a row as a recipient of the Best Consumer Satisfaction record of any continental U.S. carrier. Weekend Fun Packs, which include roundtrip air fare and hotel, are introduced, and 14-day advance purchase Fun Fares are reduced by as much as 25%. How did we do it faster, cheaper, and more fun than any other airline in the sky? We did it smarter.

1988

Southwest Airlines and Sea World of Texas join fins to promote Texas as a major tourist attraction. Through the "New Friends" campaign, Southwest becomes Sea World of Texas' official airline and creates Shamu One, a Boeing 737 painted like Shamu the killer whale. Later in the year, Southwest becomes the official airline of Sea World of California. And Southwest wins the first Triple Crown:Best On-Time Record, Best Baggage Handling, and Fewest Customer Complaints.

1989

A little more than a year and a half later, Southwest wins its second Triple Crown. Shamu Two is born. And service begins from Oakland's International Airport.

1990

Southwest announces the billion dollar revenue mark and becomes a "Major" airline! Southwest Airlines and the Southwest Conference team up as Southwest Airlines becomes their official sponsor. Terminal 4 in Phoenix opens. Shamu Three comes to the surface to fly its colors. And Lone Star One takes to the sky as Southwest Airlines' 20th Anniversary flagship Boeing 737.

1991

Southwest Airlines celebrates 20 years of loving you!

1992

Southwest wins the first annual Triple Crown in 1992 - a feat no other airline has been able to match in a single month!

1993

Southwest expands to the east coast and begins service to Baltimore/Washington International Airport. Southwest Airlines wins the second annual Triple Crown in 1993.

1994

The industry leader does it again! Southwest introduces Ticketless Travel in four cities. Morris Air is merged with Southwest. Arizona One joins the fleet. Seven new cities open, including Seattle, Spokane, Portland, and Boise in the Pacific Northwest. Southwest Airlines wins the third consecutive Triple Crown.

1995

Ticketless Travel is available systemwide in January. California One debuts in Sacramento. Southwest adds service to Omaha. Southwest Airlines wins the fourth consecutive Triple Crown in 1995.

1996

Florida service is added - Tampa Bay and Ft. Lauderdale in January and Orlando in April. Southwest celebrates 25 years of serving you and puts the 25th Anniversary plane - Silver One - into service. Ticketless Travel Online debuts on the Southwest Airlines Home Gate. In October, Southwest inaugurates service from Providence, Rhode Island. Southwest wins the fifth annual Triple Crown for 1996.

1997

Southwest starts out the year with service to our 50th city - Jacksonville, Florida.   Jackson, Mississippi becomes the 51st city added in August. Triple Crown One is introduced and joins the fleet - a tribute to the Employees of Southwest Airlines. In December, Southwest accepts the delivery of its first Boeing 737-700. Southwest is the launch customer for Boeing of the next generation Boeing 737-700.

1998

Southwest Airlines begins new service to Manchester, New Hampshire on June 7, 1998.

1999

Southwest Airlines begins new service to Islip, New York on March 14, 1999 and to Raleigh-Durham International Airport on June 6, 1999.   Nevada One, a high-flying salute to the state of Nevada, is introduced.   Service to Hartford, Connecticut's Bradley International Airport will begin on October 31, 1999.

As you can see, we've been busy these past 28 years. And we promise that the next 28 will be just as fun-filled and exciting as the last. We've accomplished quite a bit, and along the way we've earned a title no other airline in the industry can claim: The only shorthaul, low-fare, high-frequency, point-to-point carrier in America. We are proud of our accomplishments, and it just goes to show time flies when you're having fun.

Updated September 17, 1999