Herb Kelleher
Herb Kelleher: A Pioneering Spirit in Aviation
Full Name and Common Aliases
Herbert R. "Herb" Kelleher was an American entrepreneur, lawyer, and pilot who co-founded Southwest Airlines.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on March 12, 1931, in Denver, Colorado; passed away on January 3, 2019, at the age of 87.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American, Entrepreneur, Lawyer, Pilot
Early Life and Background
Herb Kelleher grew up in a family that valued hard work and entrepreneurship. His father owned a small business, which instilled in Herb the importance of perseverance and innovation. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, Kelleher earned his law degree from New York University School of Law in 1955.
Major Accomplishments
Kelleher's most notable achievement was co-founding Southwest Airlines with Rollin King in 1967. He served as the airline's CEO and Chairman for over three decades, transforming it into one of the largest and most successful carriers in the world. Under his leadership, Southwest became known for its low fares, friendly service, and innovative approach to air travel.
Notable Works or Actions
Kelleher's vision for an affordable, no-frills airline revolutionized the aviation industry. He introduced numerous innovations, including:
The Boeing 737-200: Kelleher convinced Boeing to produce a smaller version of its popular 737 aircraft, which Southwest adopted as its primary plane.
Single-class seating: Southwest eliminated first class and introduced a single-class seating arrangement, making air travel more accessible to the masses.
No-change fees: Kelleher pioneered the concept of no-change fees for passengers, reducing stress and anxiety associated with flight changes.Impact and Legacy
Kelleher's impact on aviation extends far beyond his accomplishments at Southwest. He inspired a generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders with his innovative spirit and commitment to customer satisfaction. His legacy is evident in:
Southwest Airlines' success: Under Kelleher's leadership, the airline grew from a small regional carrier to a global force, known for its efficiency, reliability, and employee satisfaction.
Industry-wide changes: Kelleher's pioneering work at Southwest paved the way for low-cost carriers around the world, transforming the aviation industry forever.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Herb Kelleher is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Innovative thinking: His willingness to challenge conventional wisdom and push boundaries has inspired countless entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Commitment to customer satisfaction: Kelleher's emphasis on putting passengers first has raised the bar for airlines worldwide, making air travel more enjoyable and affordable for millions of people.
Leadership and vision: His ability to inspire and motivate his team has created a lasting legacy at Southwest Airlines, where employee satisfaction and loyalty are unmatched in the industry.
Quotes by Herb Kelleher
Our people know that if they are sick, we will take care of them. If there are occasions of grief or joy, we will be there with them. They know that we value them as people, not just cogs in a machine.
Most people think of us as this flamboyant airline, but we're really very conservative from the fiscal standpoint.
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 of all time; it is just the way it works.
You want to show your people that you value them, and you're not going to hurt them just to get a little more money in the short term. Not furloughing people breeds loyalty. It breeds a sense of security. It breeds a sense of trust.
What's important is that a customer should get off the airplane feeling, 'I didn't just get from A to B. I had one of the most pleasant experiences I ever had, and I'll be back for that reason.'
As far as value is concerned, the principal reason that I moved to Texas from New Jersey many, many years ago was because I recognized that Texas was a much more entrepreneurial state than New Jersey, that the opportunities to start things were greater in Texas. And my vision was fortunately fulfilled.
We turned our planes around after landing and got them off again in 20 minutes back in the early days; 15 minutes in many cases. That gave us a huge cost advantage because we could do more flying in a day with a single plane than anybody else.
I don't really have any peeves, and I fly other carriers a good bit. My experience has been good in terms of getting on the airplane expeditiously and getting to my destination as need be, on time, with my bags - which I carry on.