Case Study: Southwest Airlines Introduction History Southwest Airlines began service June 18, 1971 with flights to Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. ... Key Issues A.Strengths * Cities from all parts of the country are petitioning for Southwest's services * Short point-to-point flights * Competes with car, bus and train as much as it competes with other airlines * Average flight is 65 minutes * Lowest costs in the industry à cost per passenger mile * Handles its own ticketing * Flies to smaller airports * No meals * One airplane (737) * Quick turnarounds mean large number...

• Word Count: 3854
• Approx Pages: 15
• Grade Level: High School

The airline industry faces competition from other transportation modes, such as railroads, buses. ... In the airline industry, even if the capital cost of entry are fairly low, offering airline services requires airline and aircraft certification, gates, takeoff and landing slots, baggage handling services, and the marketing and distribution of tickets. ... Their costs reduction was constrained by their complex, restrictive labor agreements, their infrastructures and their commitments to provide scheduled services over vast route networks. ... The net effect has been to increase the choice of ...

• Word Count: 3996
• Approx Pages: 16
• Grade Level: Undergraduate