Southwest Airlines was founded in 1967 by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King, two entrepreneurs who saw an opportunity to provide low-cost, reliable air travel to people in Texas. The company was initially known as Air Southwest Co. and operated flights between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio using a fleet of small aircraft.

In 1971, Air Southwest Co. was renamed Southwest Airlines Co. and began to expand its operations beyond Texas. It quickly gained a reputation for providing affordable, no-frills air travel to a wide range of destinations, and it became one of the most popular airlines in the United States.

One of the key factors in Southwest's success was its innovative approach to customer service. The company's employees, who were known as "Southwest Airlines people," were encouraged to be friendly, helpful, and courteous to all of their customers. This approach was reflected in the company's motto, "Luv," which stood for "Loyalty, Unity, and Value."

In the 1980s, Southwest faced increasing competition from low-cost carriers and underwent a series of changes in an effort to remain competitive. In 1984, it introduced the Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program, which allowed passengers to earn points for flying with Southwest and its partners. In 1993, it launched a low-cost airline subsidiary called AirTran Airways, which operated flights within the United States and to international destinations.

In the 2000s, Southwest continued to expand its operations, adding new routes and acquiring other airlines. In 2011, it acquired AirTran Airways, which allowed it to expand its presence in the eastern United States. In 2013, Southwest became the first airline to operate flights to Cuba in more than 50 years, when it began serving the city of Havana from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Today, Southwest Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, with a fleet of more than 750 aircraft serving destinations in over 50 countries around the world. It is known for its friendly, customer-centric approach to air travel and its commitment to providing low fares and reliable service to its customers. Despite the challenges it has faced over the years, Southwest remains one of the most respected and well-known airlines in the world.