Southwest’s Transformation: A Traditional Carrier in the Making
By Santiago Rodriguez - July 25, 2024 9:57 am
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Southwest Airlines has been a unique airline for over half a century, with its open seating policy that helped board and turn around planes more quickly. However, this policy evolved over time, with passengers being divided into three boarding groups and assigned boarding numbers within each group. Despite the changes, Southwest maintained its commitment to open seating until 2010 when it bought out AirTran to eliminate a low-cost competitor. The airline also sold off its Boeing 717 fleet and mostly retreated from the Atlanta hub.

One of Southwest's most legendary features is its ancient IT systems, which led to a meltdown in December 2022. However, these systems also saved the airline from Crowdstrike, a cybersecurity threat that could have caused significant damage. Despite the challenges, Southwest has always been known for its innovative approach to aviation and its commitment to providing affordable flights to passengers across the country.

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