Southwest Airlines
Swot Analysis

Lets breakdown a Southwest Airlines Swot Analysis

Strengths of Southwest Airlines Swot Analysis

• Has experienced very fast growth since its inception in 1971.
• Offers credit based on the number of trips with the airline instead of the total miles traveled.
• Was the first to offer senior discounts, ticketless traveling, and services for air freight delivery.
• Carefully considers each applicant so that they are sure to hire the best employees which leads to excellent service for their customers.
• Offers reasonably priced travel packages with low frills and excellent customer service.
• Low cost approach to flights that has drawn consumers to their services.
• Excellent employee relations leads to higher ticket sales as they all work as a team.
• Purchased only Boeing airplanes to reduce costs in repairs and get a bulk discount on the purchase.

Weaknesses

• Does not offer segmented seating options.
• Space to carry freight and cargo is limited.
• Does not offer international flights.
• Dependent on a single airplane producer.
• Very short trips earn the same amount of perks as a long, extensive flight.
• Scrutiny of potential employees based on personality before skill could be dangerous.
• Having a reduced amount of Line Supervisors can lead to rogue employees.
  

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Opportunities

• Expansion into international and other national markets.
• Research and development to advance procedures and services with the industry.
• Was the first to offer senior discounts, ticketless traveling, and services for air freight delivery.
• Applying new technologies to make the travel experience more enticing.
• Extend flights to further destinations.
• Expanding services to include services for leisure or business classes.
• Considering applicants with large skill bases but lower amounts of enthusiasm.
  

Threats

• The economy reducing the number of travelers for leisure.
• Online ticket reservation systems from competitors.
• Government regulations that add to operating costs.
• Terrorist threats causing less people to be willing to fly.
• Prices for oil and gas.
• Costs for airline security have increased annually.