Episode 4: Legal Eagles: Fighting For The Right To Fly

06/01/21 • 8 min

For most of Southwest Airlines’ history, the company was limited in where it could fly and faced a number of uphill legal and regulatory battles. In this episode, Ron Ricks, the Vice Chairman of the Board and retired Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer of Southwest, tells us the story of the decades long battle over the Wright Amendment.

For more stories on Southwest Airlines’ 50 years of flying and a look behind the scenes, check out latimes.com/isthisseatopen.

For more stories on Southwest Airlines’ 50 years of flying and a look behind the scenes, check out latimes.com/isthisseatopen.

Previous Episode

Episode 3: Fare Play & A Bottle of Booze

When a price war with a competitor caused big trouble for Southwest Airlines, the company made a marketing gamble that would determine the future of the airline. In this episode, Southwest Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ryan Green tells us the story of how Southwest was saved by a fifth of liquor.

For more stories on Southwest Airlines’ 50 years of flying and a look behind the scenes, check out latimes.com/isthisseatopen.

Next Episode

Episode 5: Gregg The Guy At The Gate

Let’s get this Boeing going! Southwest Airlines is known to add some levity to the air travel experience through fun announcements, gate games, and playful personalities behind the gate and onboard announcements. In this episode, we’ll hear from long-time Southwest Operations Agent Gregg Lynn, otherwise known as Gregg The Guy at the Gate, on how he helps make flying fun for customers.

For more stories on Southwest Airlines’ 50 years of flying and a look behind the scenes, check out latimes.com/isthisseatopen.