Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines Co. is a major American airline headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and is known for being the world's largest low-cost carrier. Founded on March 15, 1967, by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King under the name Air Southwest Co., the airline began operating as an intrastate airline wholly within the state of Texas in 1971, first flying between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. The company officially adopted the name Southwest Airlines Co. in 1971. Southwest has distinguished itself within the airline industry by offering a point-to-point route structure rather than the traditional hub-and-spoke system, a no-frills service model that includes free checked baggage, and a unique corporate culture centered around customer service. Over the decades, the airline has experienced significant growth and has expanded its service to numerous destinations across the United States, and to international destinations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.