Southwest AirlinesSWA/ WN

Southwest Airlines is one of the largest low-cost carriers in the world, founded in 1967 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, where it maintains its primary hub alongside secondary hubs in Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, and Orlando. The airline operates an all-Boeing domestic network across the United States, specializing in point-to-point service rather than traditional hub-and-spoke operations, which enables efficient turnarounds and frequent flights on popular routes. Southwest is known for its distinctive business model featuring free checked baggage, open seating, and no change fees—benefits that differentiate it from many competitors—and offers a single economy cabin class across its fleet. The airline operates its own frequent flyer program called Rapid Rewards, which rewards passengers with free flights rather than miles, and has maintained profitability through operational efficiency and strong customer service. As an independent carrier, Southwest is not part of any major global airline alliance, allowing it to maintain its unique operational philosophy and brand identity while serving millions of passengers annually on hundreds of daily flights.