Southwest Airlines, Inc.is a low fare airline based in Dallas, Texas. Southwest Air was founded in 1966 when a group of Texas investors, including Rollin King, M. Lamar Muse, and Herbert D. Kelleher, pooled $560,000 to form the Air Southwest Company.

It is the largest airline in the United States by number of passengers carried domestically for any one year and the third largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried. Southwest Airlines carried more customers than any other U.S. airline in August 2006, marking it the first time that Southwest Airlines has topped the monthly list for combined domestic and international passengers, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Southwest Airlines is one of the world's most profitable airlines and in January 2007, posted a profit for the 34th consecutive year. Its reputation for low prices and a laid-back atmosphere have made it an icon of pop culture.

The company flies only Boeing 737s, to simplify maintenance and training, and employee productivity is high. Planes are turned around for their next flight in just 15 minutes, one-third the industry average. Though the airline has boosted its wages and taken on other aspects of a traditional airline, such as its first codeshare arrangement, Southwest remains a maverick in the industry.

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• Southwest Airlines was voted the country's number one favorite company in the March 2002 edition of FORTUNE magazine.  To receive such a prestigious award, the company had to not only focus on low fares, but excellent service too.  They offer their customers low prices, along with a strong customer commitment and an array of benefits and rewards.

• Southwest has an effective and efficient website that displays all of its promotions and services in a very detailed manner. 

• Southwest offers a 'Rapid Rewards' program, that allows customers to receive a free ticket based on the number of times they fly with the company.  By making 8 round trips or 16 one-way trips, the client receives a free round-trip ticket that can be transferred or used by anyone.   

• Southwest Airlines has a very extensive online travel booking center. A client has the ability to choose a car rental or hotel rental reservation online.             

• Southwest Airlines does not offer any in-flight meals. The idea of "low fares, no frills" follows the guidelines of offering only the bare minimum to its customers.  This does not include food.  However, they do offer complimentary juices and cold drinks and nuts during the flights.  This helps them to cut down on their costs, in turn, offering the customer lower rates. 

• On the website, Southwest includes a section on packing tips. These tips are strictly for the convenience of the passenger, helping them to more thoroughly prepare for their trip.

• Southwest Airlines uses a ticket less check-in technique. The passenger only needs confirmation number and photo identification.  This assures safety and comfort of all customers.

• A passenger wishing for a refund from Southwest can submit for one on the website.  This offer is only available when the ticket is unused.  Southwest offers many different ticketing options through their booking center. They offer a fare that is considered refundable and changeable at any point in time up to the departure.

• Seating options through Southwest are open.  When the passenger arrives at the check-in desk they are issued a boarding pass. This is based on a first come, first serve basis.Find more about Manage Your Travel with Southwest Airlines visit www.halfvalue.com and www.halfvalue.co.ukFor more details on Books at www.lookbookstores.com

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