Where Is Southwest Airlines Based? (2024)

Southwest Airlines is a major US-based carrier that operates on a low-cost carrier business model. Headquartered in Love Field, Dallas, Texas, the airline operates over 120 destinations in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The airline is the largest and exclusive operator of the Boeing 737 family aircraft, with over 800 active examples across various variants. Southwest is one of the largest airlines in North America by domestic passengers flown.

Southwest’s history

Southwest Airlines (IATA: WN, ICAO: SWA) was founded in March 1967 by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King as Air Southwest Co. Four years later, in June 1971, the airline commenced flight operations as Southwest Airlines. With its corporate hub in Love Field Dallas, the airline has opted "LUV" as its slogan and part of its mission. So much so that the airline went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1977 with the ticker symbol "LUV."

According to Southwest Airlines,

“Southwest has been in LUV with our Customers from the very beginning. Therefore, it's fitting that we began service to San Antonio and Houston from Love Field in Dallas on June 18, 1971. As our Company and Customers grew, our LUV grew too! With Flight Attendants serving "Love Bites" on our planes and determined Employees issuing tickets from our "Love Machines," we changed the face of the airline industry throughout the 1970s.”

Photo:Nashville International Airport

In 2023, Southwest Airlines reported revenue of over $26 billion and a net income of $465 million. The airline continues to expand its operations in new markets with the incoming Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. As of last year, the airline had a combined workforce of nearly 75,000 people.

The Headquarters

Southwest Airlines headquarters is much more than a corporate office building. It includes several interesting areas for visitors, including the airline's history, a merchandised store, and a comprehensive training center for new gate agents and flight attendants. Besides numerous classrooms and activity halls, there is a mock-up of the airport check-in.

As reported byThe Points Guy, trainee gate agents learn how to use the airline's ticketing and reservation system, check-in passengers for their flights, weigh their bags, and issue boarding cards. An additional replica of the gate area with seats and boarding stanchions helps trainers receive hands-on experience boarding passengers at the airport gate. A functioning PA system aids in practicing announcements when calling various boarding zones.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

Trainee flight attendants learn and practice their skills in a specially configured Boeing 737 cabin experience trainer. The area is a full-sized 737 cabin with all passenger seats, overhead bins, alleyways, and galley areas. There is also an emergency training mock-up with a deployed emergency slide to practice evacuations. The area is also equipped with tools for water landing practice.

Pilots receive training in one of 26 simulators featuring a replica of the actual Boeing 737 co*ckpit. Southwest invests millions of dollars in each simulator and operates it around the clock.

Southwest’s major hubs

Southwest operates scheduled flights to over 120 domestic and international destinations with its massive fleet of over 800 Boeing 737 family aircraft. The airline's major operating bases are located at:

• Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL)
• Baltimore Airport (BWI)
• Chicago-Midway (MDW)
• Dallas-Love Field (DAL)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Houston-Hobby Airport (HOU)
• Las Vegas Airport (LAS)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Nashville International Airport (BNA) - From Q2, 2024
• Oakland Airport (OAK)
• Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX)

Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock

Southwest Airlines operates over 4,000 daily flights, primarily from its base airports and other secondary airports. The airlines' top ten airports with the most flights as of January are listed here.

Southwest fleet

Southwest Airlines is the world's largest operator of Boeing 737 aircraft. The airline exclusively operates the famous family of aircraft and, as mentioned earlier, maintains nearly 820 aircraft (across different variants) in its fleet. Besides a handful of historical Boeing 727 aircraft, Southwest has almost exclusively operated single-aisle 737s.

Southwest was the launch customer for the Boeing 737-300, 737-500, and 737-700. Since 2022, the airline has been taking Boeing 737 MAX 8 deliveries at approximately seven aircraft a month. Last year, Southwest took delivery of its 1,000th Boeing 737 aircraft.

Photo:RaksyBH| Shutterstock

Southwest only offers economy class seats onboard its aircraft. Passengers get two free checked bags. Tickets can be changed up to 10 minutes before departure without any extra charge. The airline also offers complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to all passengers.

What are your thoughts on a major US-based carrier's history and current operations? Have you recently traveled with Southwest Airlines? Share your experience in the comments section.