Founded on March 9, 1967, as Air Southwest and commencing operations on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines Co. is a leading US airline headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The company's core mission is to provide reliable, low-cost air travel with a focus on customer service and operational efficiency. Southwest Airlines operates a fleet of 817 Boeing 737 aircraft, offering scheduled air transportation services to 121 destinations across 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and ten near-international countries including Mexico and Jamaica. The airline is known for its short-haul, high-frequency flights and its popular Rapid Rewards frequent-flyer program.

Notable figures associated with Southwest Airlines include Herb Kelleher, the co-founder and former CEO, who played a pivotal role in shaping the company's unique culture and business model. The airline is publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol LUV. Key achievements include maintaining profitability for over four decades and being consistently ranked high in customer satisfaction surveys. Southwest Airlines has significantly impacted the airline industry by pioneering the low-cost carrier model and promoting competitive pricing, thereby making air travel more accessible to a broader audience.