The Biography of Herb Kelleher Who Revolutionized Air Travel

The Life Story of Herbert Kelleher

Herbert Kelleher was born in Camden, New Jersey, USA, on the 12th of March, 1931.

It wasn’t until 1967 that he co-founded Air Southwest Co with Rollin King. The company was later rebranded to Southwest Airlines in 1971. He went on to serve as the company’s CEO until 2001 and chairman until 2008.

He had a truly significant and enduring impact on the airline industry.

He was a pioneer in the low-cost airline model that provided millions of people who initially couldn’t afford to fly with access to air travel.

His management style greatly emphasized customer satisfaction and employee empowerment, and he helped create the brand’s reputation for outstanding customer service and a strong corporate culture.

Early Life and Education

Education and early career:

Kelleher graduated from Haddon Heights High School. Next, he obtained a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University in English and a minor in philosophy.

He later obtained a law degree from the New York University School of Law, where he was a Root-Tilden Scholar.

How Kelleher Became Interested in the Airline Industry:

The story of how Kelleher entered the airline industry began after he moved to Texas, where he intended to practice law. However, during this period, he met Rollin King in the mid-1960s.

Rolin King was a successful Texas businessman. The two entrepreneurs were looking to start a new airline that they projected would compete with already established carriers on price and convenience.

Kelleher ended up becoming very invested in the project after being inspired by the idea.

He helped in providing solutions to several legal and regulatory impediments before eventually joining the company full-time as its chief legal counsel.

“Nothing kills your company’s culture like layoffs.” – Herbert Kelleher

Southwest Airlines

The founding of Southwest Airlines:

Rollin King, a businessman from Texas, had an idea for a low-cost airline that would serve three cities in Texas.

He shared this idea with his lawyer, who was Herbert Kelleher, at the time, and they were committed to the project from then.

They brought together a small team of employees and started to plan for the new airline, which they called Air Southwest.

Although they faced several legal and regulatory obstacles on the way, they eventually won approval to begin flying.

The early years of the company:

Southwest Airlines started with just three planes, serving three cities within the state of Texas.

The company faced quite a struggle financially in its early years, but Kelleher and the other leaders were fully determined to make the airline successful.

They placed their focus on building a strong corporate culture, with a commitment to providing excellent customer service and employee empowerment.

Southwest Airlines also utilized a very unique business model, implementing a point-to-point network along with no-frills service and a strong focus on short-haul flights.

Kelleher’s leadership style and management philosophy:

Kelleher’s leadership style was known to be quite unconventional, with the main emphasis on humor and creativity, placing the primary focus on the employees and customers.

He held the belief that happy and empowered employees would provide customers with excellent service and boost the company’s success. Kelleher was also widely known for his willingness to take risks and inspire his team to take action.

“Culture is intangible. It’s spiritual. You can’t buy it.”- Herbert Kelleher

Southwest’s unique business model and success:

Southwest Airlines became widely known for its low fares, friendly service, and no baggage fees. The company placed its primary focus on short-haul flights, and this allowed it to maintain low costs while providing travelers with convenient service.

Southwest also began the implementation of several innovative policies, including open seating, which allowed passengers to choose their seats on the plane.

Southwest’s business plan turned out to be very successful, growing rapidly in a few years and becoming one of the largest and most profitable airlines in the world.

Major milestones in the history of Southwest:

Over the years, Southwest Airlines has achieved several great milestones, including acquiring Morris Air in 1993, launching an international service in 2014, as well as the retirement of Kelleher in 2008.

Challenges and Controversies

Legal battles with competitors and regulators:

As Southwest Airlines continued to grow, it faced several serious legal challenges from competitors and regulators.

Other airlines tried to stop Southwest from entering their markets, while regulators raised several concerns about the safety and operational practices of the company.

Southwest continued to fight against these challenges, with Kelleher often providing the legal expertise to help overcome such challenges.

Labor disputes and strikes:

From the start, Southwest had a strong commitment to its employees, although this often led to strikes and labor disputes.

There was a period when the company had to endure a major dispute with its flight attendants.

Eventually, the company and the union came to a compromise, although the strike had a significant impact on the company’s reputation and operations.

“Keep costs low and spirits high, and the people of Southwest Airlines will keep LUV in the air.” – Herbert Kelleher

Legacy and Impact

Kelleher’s contributions to the airline industry:

Herb Kelleher was a pioneer in the airline industry, and he is best known for introducing several new ideas and innovations that changed the way people thought of air travel.

His reputation as a business leader and innovator:

His management style, although unconventional, worked wonders in motivating his team.

His massive contributions to Southwest Airlines and the airline industry did not go unnoticed, as he earned several accolades and awards.

The continuing legacy of Kelleher and Southwest Airlines:

Herb Kelleher passed away in 2019 but left an outstanding legacy.

The unique company culture at Southwest Airlines, his commitment to customer service, and the low-cost business model continue to inspire businesses inside and outside of the airline industry.

His vision and leadership helped create a highly successful company that its customers and employees love.

Southwest today is one of the world’s most respected and admired companies, which is a true testament to Kelleher’s lasting legacy.

Personal Life and Death

Kelleher’s personal life, including his family and interests:

Away from his successful career at Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher was said to have a colorful personality and a wide range of interests.

He was happily married to Joan Negley, and they were together for 63 years, with four children.

Kelleher’s battle with illness and eventual death:

In the final years of his life, Herb Kelleher struggled with health problems, including prostate cancer which he had chemotherapy in 1999.

Even with this, he remained active in the airline industry and kept inspiring others.

After his death, many former and current Southwest Airlines employees shared personal stories of the man, praising his leadership, humor, and kindness.

“Your employees come first. And if you treat your employees right, guess what? Your customers come back, and that makes your shareholders happy. Start with employees and the rest follows from that.” – Herbert Kelleher

Lessons Learned From the Life of Herb Kelleher

There are several great lessons we can learn from the life of Herbert Kelleher, including:

Focus on your customers:

It can be said that one of the main drivers of Southwest Airlines’ success was its focus on providing excellent customer service.

He understood that customers were the lifeblood of the business and ensured every single part of the company’s operations was geared towards exceeding the expectations of the customers.

Empower your employees:

Kelleher believed in giving his employees autonomy and the freedom to make decisions, taking ownership of their work.

This strategy helped to motivate and engage the employees while creating a strong and positive corporate culture.

Take risks and embrace innovation:

Kelleher was never afraid to try something new or take a risk if he felt it could benefit the company.

His willingness to experiment with new ideas helped Southwest to always be ahead of the competition.

Conclusion

Recap of Kelleher’s life and legacy:

Herb Kelleher was a legendary entrepreneur and businessman who co-founded Southwest Airlines and revolutionized the airline industry.

His legacy continues to shape Southwest and the entire airline industry, even impacting the world of business and entrepreneurship.

 

Herbert Kelleher Timeline

1931:

Herb Kelleher was born on March 12 in Camden, New Jersey.

1953:

Kelleher graduates from Wesleyan University with a degree in English.

1956:

Herb Kelleher graduates from New York University Law School.

1957:

Kelleher is admitted to the Texas Bar.

1962:

Herb moves to San Antonio to start his own law firm.

1967:

Kelleher helps co-found a new airline called Air Southwest, later renamed Southwest Airlines.

1971:

Southwest Airlines began flying with three planes and served three cities in Texas.

Also, in 1971, Southwest Airlines went public with 650000 shares at $11 a share. The company went on to be one of the most successful and profitable airlines in the world.

1978:

Herb Kelleher is elected chairman of Southwest Airlines.

1981:

Kelleher is elected CEO of Southwest Airlines.

1993:

Southwest Airlines acquires Morris Air, a competitor in the low-cost airline market.

2001:

Kelleher steps down as CEO of Southwest Airlines but remains involved with the company as chairman till 2008.

2008:

Kelleher retires from Southwest Airlines as Chairman after over 40 years of service. Also, in 2008, Kelleher was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

2019:

Herb Kelleher passed away on January 3 at the age of 87.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

The information in this post answers many of the questions about Herbert Kelleher. This section provides a summary and any additional information.

What Did Herb Kelleher Die From?

Herb Kelleher passed away on January 3, 2019; details of his death are unknown.

What Did Herb Kelleher Do?

Herb Kelleher was a co-founder and longtime CEO of Southwest Airlines, a low-cost airline that revolutionized the industry.

Why Was Herb Kelleher a Good Leader?

Herb Kelleher was widely regarded as a good leader because of his unconventional management style, his focus on employees and customers, and his willingness to take risks.

Kelleher was also widely regarded as an inspiring figure, motivating his team to be the best and committing to excellence and innovation.

Is Herb Keller Still Alive?

No, Herb Kelleher passed away on January 3, 2019.

How Long Was Herb Kelleher CEO?

Herb Kelleher served as the CEO of Southwest Airlines from 1981 until 2001 (20 years). He remained actively involved in the company as chairman emeritus until he died in 2019.

What Were Some of Herb Kelleher’s Key Accomplishments?

Herb Kelleher’s key accomplishments include co-founding Southwest Airlines, creating a unique, low-cost business model, and building a strong corporate culture based on employee empowerment and customer service.

What Was Herb Kelleher’s Leadership Style?

Herb Kelleher’s leadership style was unconventional and innovative.

He emphasized employee empowerment, customer service, and a strong corporate culture based on humor, teamwork, and passion for excellence.

What Awards and Honors Did Herb Kelleher Receive?

Herb Kelleher received numerous awards and honors throughout his life, including induction into the Texas Business Hall of Fame and the Tony Jannus Award for outstanding contributions to the airline industry.

At one point, according to Time Magazine, he was one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and he also received the Bower Award for Business Leadership.

What Was Herb Kelleher’s Legacy?

Herb Kelleher transformed the airline industry with his unique business model and emphasis on customer service and employee empowerment.

Kelleher’s leadership and management philosophy inspired many other businesses to adopt similar approaches.

He is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and visionary business leaders of the 20th century. Today, Southwest Airlines continues to thrive and grow, thanks in large part to the legacy of Herb Kelleher.

Image Attribution:

commons.wikimedia.org- Herbert Kelleher

commons.wikimedia.org – Boeing 737