--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Southwest Airlines is successful because…" description: "\"Southwest Airlines is successful because the company understands it's a customer service company. It also happens to be an airline.\" — Harvey Mackay" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f26/harvey-mackay-1775_airline_southwest-airlines-is-successful-because_120971.png" --- # Southwest Airlines is successful because the company… ![“Southwest Airlines is successful because the company understands it's a customer service company. It also happens to be an airline.” quote by Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f26/harvey-mackay-1775_airline_southwest-airlines-is-successful-because_120971.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f26/harvey-mackay-1775_airline_southwest-airlines-is-successful-because_120971.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f26/harvey-mackay-1775_airline_southwest-airlines-is-successful-because_120971.png) > “Southwest Airlines is successful because the company understands it's a customer service company. It also happens to be an airline.” [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A company's success hinges on prioritizing customer service, even if its primary product is something else. **In simple terms:** Treat customers as the core of the business. Key Takeaway Customer focus drives success. Themes business customer service strategy Mood pragmatic insightful Type advice When to use this quote - airline industry - retail - hospitality Key Concepts service orientation Practical Applications - train staff to prioritize customer experience Questions to Reflect On - What balance should companies strike between service and core product delivery? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on service can neglect operational efficiency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Customer service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer-service/) [Plane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plane/) [Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service/) [Southwest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/southwest/) [Southwest airlines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/southwest-airlines/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Successful company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful-company/) ## Related quotes > [I flew out here on Southwest Airlines. Southwest has a plane that's painted like Shamu the whale from Sea World. Yeah, that'll be easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schimmel/i-flew-out-here-on-southwest-airlines-southwest-has-a-plane-that-s/) [Robert Schimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schimmel/) > [Keep costs low and spirits high, and the people of Southwest Airlines will keep LUV in the air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/keep-costs-low-and-spirits-high-and-the-people-of-southwest-airlines/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Everybody in Texas would tell me that they thought I was nuts trying to start Southwest Airlines. There probably weren't 10 people in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/everybody-in-texas-would-tell-me-that-they-thought-i-was-nuts-trying/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [The spirit of Southwest Airlines is exuberant, it's caring, it's dedicated, it's diligent, it's fun, it's rewarding, it's a joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/the-spirit-of-southwest-airlines-is-exuberant-it-s-caring-it-s/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [When I started working on Southwest Airlines, I kid you not, only people flying on business and very wealthy people ever flew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/when-i-started-working-on-southwest-airlines-i-kid-you-not-only/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [There are many people talking about access to space and, 'How can we make that cheaper? How can we turn that into a Southwest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buzz-aldrin/there-are-many-people-talking-about-access-to-space-and-how-can-we/) [Buzz Aldrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buzz-aldrin/) > [I guess the worst moment I ever had in business was the fear that Southwest Airlines wouldn't get off the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/i-guess-the-worst-moment-i-ever-had-in-business-was-the-fear-that/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Some of the greatest businesses operating from a deeper purpose have a real commitment to service, like Four Seasons, Joie de Vivre hotels, Southwest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mackey/some-of-the-greatest-businesses-operating-from-a-deeper-purpose-have/) [John Mackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mackey/) > [A woman on a Southwest Airlines flight gave birth to a baby. As soon as he was born, the baby said, 'I had more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/a-woman-on-a-southwest-airlines-flight-gave-birth-to-a-baby-as-soon/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [Also, in the category of 'obvious but still shocking,' an animal called a 'killer whale' killed someone who was trying to play with it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/also-in-the-category-of-obvious-but-still-shocking-an-animal-called-a/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [I've been asked a number of times what was my proudest accomplishment when I was still very active in the day-to-day affairs of Southwest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/i-ve-been-asked-a-number-of-times-what-was-my-proudest-accomplishment/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [I have many times marveled at how I could feel so good about myself while eating peanuts in a middle seat on Southwest Airlines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/i-have-many-times-marveled-at-how-i-could-feel-so-good-about-myself/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“As Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines succinctly put it, 'Strategy, overdone; doing stuff, underdone'.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlo-ancelotti/as-herb-kelleher-of-southwest-airlines-succinctly-put-it-strategy/) [Carlo Ancelotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlo-ancelotti/) > [“The first involves streamlining operations and introducing cost innovations from manufacturing to distribution. Can the product’s or service’s raw materials be replaced by unconventional,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-chan-kim/the-first-involves-streamlining-operations-and-introducing-cost/) [W. Chan Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-chan-kim/) > [“We went to look at Southwest Airlines in the U.S. It was like the road to Damascus. This was the way to make Ryanair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-iddings/we-went-to-look-at-southwest-airlines-in-the-u-s-it-was-like-the-road/) Sean Iddings ## More by Harvey Mackay > [It doesn't matter if they say you can't do it. It only matters if you say you can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/it-doesn-t-matter-if-they-say-you-can-t-do-it-it-only-matters-if-you/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about those who don’t. Believe everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/life-is-too-short-to-wake-up-with-regrets-so-love-the-people-who/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Be like the turtle. If he didn't stick his neck out, he wouldn't get anywhere at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-his-neck-out-he-wouldn-t-get/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Keep the customer actively involved throughout your presentation, and watch your results improve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/keep-the-customer-actively-involved-throughout-your-presentation-and/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Your workforce is your most valuable asset. The knowledge and skills they have represent the fuel that drives the engine of business - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/your-workforce-is-your-most-valuable-asset-the-knowledge-and-skills/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [I've learned that people will seldom let you down if they understand that your destiny is in their hands, and vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/i-ve-learned-that-people-will-seldom-let-you-down-if-they-understand/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/people-begin-to-become-successful-the-minute-they-decide-to-be/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [I have ten marathons under my belt, including four New York races and one Boston.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/i-have-ten-marathons-under-my-belt-including-four-new-york-races-and/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Pay attention to those employees who respectfully ask why. They are demonstrating an interest in their jobs and exhibiting a curiosity that could eventually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/pay-attention-to-those-employees-who-respectfully-ask-why-they-are/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [The employees who share innovative ideas may also be the folks who have some hidden talents that would help incorporate their suggestions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/the-employees-who-share-innovative-ideas-may-also-be-the-folks-who/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Leadership does not mean getting people to do their job. It means getting people to do their best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/leadership-does-not-mean-getting-people-to-do-their-job-it-means/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [It's only lonely at the top if you forget all the people you met along the way and fail to acknowledge their contributions to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/it-s-only-lonely-at-the-top-if-you-forget-all-the-people-you-met/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [If you walk backwards, you will never stub your toe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/if-you-walk-backwards-you-will-never-stub-your-toe/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [As you schedule individual tasks, give yourself a cushion. Mark the due date a few days ahead of the actual deadline so you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/as-you-schedule-individual-tasks-give-yourself-a-cushion-mark-the-due/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/nobody-said-life-would-be-easy-they-just-promised-it-would-most/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) [Explore all 209 Harvey Mackay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) ## More Airline quotes > [One of the Internet's highest-profile companies, Priceline once dreamed of transforming the way consumer goods are bought and sold by offering customers the chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-berenson/one-of-the-internet-s-highest-profile-companies-priceline-once/) [Alex Berenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-berenson/) > [Juan Tripp was a friend. Good name for an airline man, huh? Juan Tripp after another?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-wray/juan-tripp-was-a-friend-good-name-for-an-airline-man-huh-juan-tripp/) [Fay Wray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-wray/) > [Most big companies don't like you very much, except hotels, airlines and Microsoft, which don't like you at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bryson/most-big-companies-don-t-like-you-very-much-except-hotels-airlines/) [Bill Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bryson/) > [If the Wright brother were alive today Wilbur would have to fire Orville to reduce costs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/if-the-wright-brother-were-alive-today-wilbur-would-have-to-fire/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Hart is still like that little tub of vaguely milklike gunk that comes with airline coffee. It is labeled a "nondairy" product. Fine: we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/hart-is-still-like-that-little-tub-of-vaguely-milklike-gunk-that/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [Be Luke Skywalker, not Darth Vader. Ultimately love is stronger than evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-burr/be-luke-skywalker-not-darth-vader-ultimately-love-is-stronger-than/) Don Burr > [As a businessman, Frank Lorenzo gives capitalism a bad name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley-jr/as-a-businessman-frank-lorenzo-gives-capitalism-a-bad-name/) [William F. Buckley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley-jr/) > [I have an 800 freephone number now that I call if I get the urge to buy an airline stock. I call at two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-have-an-800-freephone-number-now-that-i-call-if-i-get-the-urge-to/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [I don't mind flying. I always pass out before the plane leaves the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-campbell/i-don-t-mind-flying-i-always-pass-out-before-the-plane-leaves-the/) [Naomi Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-campbell/) > [Can a physicist visualize an electron? The electron is materially inconceivable and yet, it is so perfectly known through its effects that we use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wernher-von-braun/can-a-physicist-visualize-an-electron-the-electron-is-materially/) [Wernher von Braun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wernher-von-braun/) > [Funny, isn't it? The airlines go to all that trouble to keep you from taking a gun on board, then they just hand you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/funny-isn-t-it-the-airlines-go-to-all-that-trouble-to-keep-you-from/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [Any serious airline has to look at a worldwide network.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-mallya/any-serious-airline-has-to-look-at-a-worldwide-network/) [Vijay Mallya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-mallya/) > [Running an airline is a normal job. Racing is more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niki-lauda/running-an-airline-is-a-normal-job-racing-is-more/) [Niki Lauda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niki-lauda/) > [Those were my children being slaughtered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-burr/those-were-my-children-being-slaughtered/) Don Burr > [I came from the music business, which reputedly has the biggest egos, but I really think the airline world caps it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-fernandes/i-came-from-the-music-business-which-reputedly-has-the-biggest-egos/) [Tony Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-fernandes/) Browse all 342 Airline quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Southwest Airlines is successful because the company understands it's a customer service company. It also happens to be an airline.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Harvey Mackay" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/southwest-airlines-is-successful-because-the-company-understands-it-s/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Airline" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/southwest-airlines-is-successful-because-the-company-understands-it-s/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f26/harvey-mackay-1775_airline_southwest-airlines-is-successful-because_120971.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f26/harvey-mackay-1775_airline_southwest-airlines-is-successful-because_120971.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f26/harvey-mackay-1775_airline_southwest-airlines-is-successful-because_120971.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Southwest Airlines is successful because the company understands it's a customer service company. It also…” — Harvey Mackay", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Harvey Mackay", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Southwest Airlines is successful because the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/southwest-airlines-is-successful-because-the-company-understands-it-s/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/southwest-airlines-is-successful-because-the-company-understands-it-s/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```