Southwest Airlines began in 1967 as Air Southwest Co., based in Dallas. They began serving three major cities in Texas, with only three Boeing 737s. On March 29, 1971, Air Southwest Co. changed its name to Southwest Airlines Co. The company began service on June 18, 1971 from Love Field to Dallas in Houston and San Antonio. Founders Rollin King and Herb Kelleher were inspired by their location to create a people-focused airline. LUV Airline prides itself on its exceptional employees and “no-nonsense” customer service. CEO Gary Kelly says: “After all, we like to say we're not an aircraft company; we are a people company. Southwest is known for valuing its employees just as much as its customers. Their employee mission statement reads: “Above all, employees will benefit from the same concern, respect and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every customer in the South-West. » After 42 years of service, Southwest is now America's largest low-cost airline, serving more customers nationally than any other carrier. Southwest's mission statement states the following: "The mission of Southwest Airlines is to be dedicated to the highest quality of customer service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride and entrepreneurial spirit ". The company remains true to its mission statement and is currently one of the top-ranked airlines in terms of customer and employee satisfaction. Southwest prides itself on having the happiest employees in the industry. By treating employees like family, they are able to project their company culture in another positive way. The company also has a separate mission statement towards its employees; “We are committed... middle of paper ......west Airlines,” Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eps01), accessed February 16. , 2014. Downloaded June 15, 2010. Published by the Texas State Historical Association. Milliman, John Ferguson, Jeffery, David "Spirit and Community at Southwest Airlines: An Investigation of a Model Based on Spiritual Values." Journal of Change Management organizational Vol. 12 Iss:3 pp.221233. Internet. “Our culture Sud-ouest.com.” "Swamedia. Np. Internet. February 16, 2014. 2014. .