--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I started working on Southwest…" description: "\"When I started working on Southwest Airlines, I kid you not, only people flying on business and very wealthy people ever flew.\" — Herb Kelleher" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/herb-kelleher-8657_airlines_when-i-started-working-on-southwest-airl_1164657.png" --- # When I started working on Southwest Airlines, I kid you… ![“When I started working on Southwest Airlines, I kid you not, only people flying on business and very wealthy people ever flew.” quote by Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/herb-kelleher-8657_airlines_when-i-started-working-on-southwest-airl_1164657.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/herb-kelleher-8657_airlines_when-i-started-working-on-southwest-airl_1164657.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/herb-kelleher-8657_airlines_when-i-started-working-on-southwest-airl_1164657.png) > “When I started working on Southwest Airlines, I kid you not, only people flying on business and very wealthy people ever flew.” [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early Southwest flights were limited to wealthy business travelers **In simple terms:** Southwest started as an elite service Key Takeaway Recognize how markets evolve over time Themes innovation market evolution democratization Mood optimistic strategic Type historical business When to use this quote - airline industry - pricing strategy - customer outreach Key Concepts low-cost model customer focus Questions to Reflect On - What factors drive democratization of travel? - How can companies maintain low costs while expanding? A Different Perspective Growth required challenging existing market assumptions ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Flying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flying/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Plane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plane/) [Southwest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/southwest/) [Southwest airlines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/southwest-airlines/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [Southwest Airlines is successful because the company understands it's a customer service company. It also happens to be an airline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/southwest-airlines-is-successful-because-the-company-understands-it-s/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [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/) > [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/) > [“People who flew too high—who lived beyond their means and ability—were bound for failure. As were those who never took a chance. Despite”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-g-riddle/people-who-flew-too-high-who-lived-beyond-their-means-and-ability/) [A.G. Riddle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-g-riddle/) > [It is the business of the wealthy man To give employment to the artisan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaire-belloc/it-is-the-business-of-the-wealthy-man-to-give-employment-to-the/) [Hilaire Belloc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaire-belloc/) > [The best of life is the exercise of ingenuity-in design, in finance, in flying, in business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-lear/the-best-of-life-is-the-exercise-of-ingenuity-in-design-in-finance-in/) [Bill Lear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-lear/) > [If you're flying everyone Business and First Class to meet customers, it's a pretty substantial expense, and none of that benefits customers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-jassy/if-you-re-flying-everyone-business-and-first-class-to-meet-customers/) [Andy Jassy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-jassy/) > [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/) > [Succession planning has been a major priority at Southwest for quite some time. We think we have come up with a winning combination of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/succession-planning-has-been-a-major-priority-at-southwest-for-quite/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [The people of Southwest have always been my pride, my joy and my love. Their indomitable dedication and esprit de corps have taken Southwest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/the-people-of-southwest-have-always-been-my-pride-my-joy-and-my-love/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) ## More by Herb Kelleher > [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/) > [You have to treat your employees like your customers. When you treat them right they will treat your outside customers right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/you-have-to-treat-your-employees-like-your-customers-when-you-treat/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Power should be reserved for weightlifting and boats, and leadership really involves responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/power-should-be-reserved-for-weightlifting-and-boats-and-leadership/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [As far as value is concerned, the principal reason that I moved to Texas from New Jersey many, many years ago was because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/as-far-as-value-is-concerned-the-principal-reason-that-i-moved-to/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Sometimes you need a little courage too just to buck popular opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/sometimes-you-need-a-little-courage-too-just-to-buck-popular-opinion/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [I want to see Texas remain an entrepreneurial powerhouse in the United States.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/i-want-to-see-texas-remain-an-entrepreneurial-powerhouse-in-the/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [You can't have a mid-life crisis in the airline industry because every day is a crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/you-can-t-have-a-mid-life-crisis-in-the-airline-industry-because/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [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/) > [A company is stronger if it is bound by love rather than by fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/a-company-is-stronger-if-it-is-bound-by-love-rather-than-by-fear/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [The people of Southwest have always been my pride, my joy and my love. Their indomitable dedication and esprit de corps have taken Southwest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/the-people-of-southwest-have-always-been-my-pride-my-joy-and-my-love/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [A motivated employee treats the customer well. The customer is happy, so they keep coming back. It's not one of the enduring green mysteries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/a-motivated-employee-treats-the-customer-well-the-customer-is-happy/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Hire for attitude, train for skill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skill/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [We have the best customer satisfaction record, based on Transportation Dept. statistics, of any airline in America, the fewest complaints filed per 100,000 passengers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/we-have-the-best-customer-satisfaction-record-based-on-transportation/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Think small and act small, and we'll get bigger. Think big and act big, and we'll get smaller.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/think-small-and-act-small-and-we-ll-get-bigger-think-big-and-act-big/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [I've found that many of the greatest ideas surface in bars because that's where many people cultivate inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/i-ve-found-that-many-of-the-greatest-ideas-surface-in-bars-because/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) [Explore all 79 Herb Kelleher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) ## More Airlines quotes > [Flying small airplanes is not like being on airlines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-liman/flying-small-airplanes-is-not-like-being-on-airlines/) [Doug Liman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-liman/) > [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/) > [ United \[Airlines\] sucks, man. I've got like a million miles and they never bump me to first class because they think I'm just a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-white/united-airlines-sucks-man-i-ve-got-like-a-million-miles-and-they/) [Shaun White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-white/) > [“Budget airlines are notorious for over selling their flights and bumping passengers when too many show up!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/budget-airlines-are-notorious-for-over-selling-their-flights-and/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“I am a chimney which has been smoked. Out of breath and out of warmth. My air carries murky whispers and inky phantoms. Loneliness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iqra-iqbal/i-am-a-chimney-which-has-been-smoked-out-of-breath-and-out-of-warmth/) [Iqra Iqbal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iqra-iqbal/) > [“Christmas 2022 revealed the hazards of flying budget airlines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/christmas-2022-revealed-the-hazards-of-flying-budget-airlines/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Pick a leader who will keep jobs in your country by offering companies incentives to hire only within their borders, not one who allows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/pick-a-leader-who-will-keep-jobs-in-your-country-by-offering/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [I always ask for the exit row when flying. Airlines are pretty accommodating and most of the time I'll get it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/i-always-ask-for-the-exit-row-when-flying-airlines-are-pretty/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [If you've ever spent time staring at those gorgeous first class seats (more like their own rooms!) on Emirates, Etihad, Qantas - or have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randi-zuckerberg/if-you-ve-ever-spent-time-staring-at-those-gorgeous-first-class-seats/) [Randi Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randi-zuckerberg/) > [Airlines are interesting. They not only favor celebrities, they court them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-donahue/airlines-are-interesting-they-not-only-favor-celebrities-they-court/) [Phil Donahue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-donahue/) > [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/) > [I consider myself a frequent flyer, flying roughly 200 times a year on mostly mainstream airlines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/i-consider-myself-a-frequent-flyer-flying-roughly-200-times-a-year-on/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [“It only took one flight with a budget airline to discover how horrible their airline was!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/it-only-took-one-flight-with-a-budget-airline-to-discover-how/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“Budget airlines are often making money from canceling their passengers flights and not refunding them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/budget-airlines-are-often-making-money-from-canceling-their/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [Flying commercial airlines has become an all-too-often unpleasant experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-lipinski/flying-commercial-airlines-has-become-an-all-too-often-unpleasant/) [Dan Lipinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-lipinski/) Browse all 82 Airlines quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I started working on Southwest Airlines, I kid you not, only people flying on business and very wealthy people ever flew.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Herb Kelleher" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/when-i-started-working-on-southwest-airlines-i-kid-you-not-only/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Airlines" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/when-i-started-working-on-southwest-airlines-i-kid-you-not-only/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/herb-kelleher-8657_airlines_when-i-started-working-on-southwest-airl_1164657.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/herb-kelleher-8657_airlines_when-i-started-working-on-southwest-airl_1164657.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/herb-kelleher-8657_airlines_when-i-started-working-on-southwest-airl_1164657.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I started working on Southwest Airlines, I kid you not, only people flying on business and very wealthy…” — Herb Kelleher", "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": "Herb Kelleher", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I started working on Southwest...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/when-i-started-working-on-southwest-airlines-i-kid-you-not-only/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/when-i-started-working-on-southwest-airlines-i-kid-you-not-only/#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 } } ] } ```