Southwest Airlines is one of the busiest airlines in the world. With flights available to multiple continents, Southwest Airlines serves millions of people each day. This airline cares a great deal about its employees, recognizing their achievements and promoting a positive workplace culture. 

After years in business, Southwest Airlines has stayed popular among those who fly, and is still a formidable opponent to other airlines. Here’s more information on Southwest Airlines’ competitors: 

#1. United Airlines 

Founded: April 6, 1926
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Need to Know

United Airlines began as a mail carrying service, and has turned into one of the most popular airlines in the world. United Airlines partners with smaller airlines across the globe to fly passengers to any destination they can think of, and are dedicated to giving them the best in-flight experience. 

United Airlines does everything they can to reduce cancellations and misconnections, and provide the best service they can in those events. Since United Airlines serves people from all around the world, they want their staff to reflect their passengers, and are committed to employing people of every background. They work to make all employees feel safe and included while at work, and aim to retain their employees long term. 

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#2. American Airlines

Founded: April 15, 1926
Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas, United States

Need to Know

American Airlines has been flying for nearly 100 years. Charles Lindbergh was the first person to pilot an American Airlines flight, carrying mail from St. Louis, Missouri to Chicago, Illinois. For eight years the company delivered mail, and then began shifting to an operation like it is presently. 

American Airlines is dedicated to giving back to the community. Its employees volunteer and take part in charitable giving, and it has a program in place for customers to donate to organizations, as well. This airline also grants scholarships to family members of its employees, as another way to give back to the many communities it serves, and a way to promote education. 

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#3. Delta Air Lines

Founded: March 2, 1925
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Need to Know

Delta Air Lines began as a commercial agricultural flying company, and was first called by a different name – Huff Daland Dusters. Four years after its inception crop-dusting, Delta Air Lines began carrying passengers, and today is an internationally recognized airline, carrying millions of people to their various destinations each day. 

Presently, Delta Air Lines is committed to sustainability, working to protect the earth and become carbon neutral. Because jet fuel has high carbon emissions, Delta Air Lines is flying more efficient planes, retiring inefficient models and replacing them with cleaner ones. Delta Air Lines also has a goal of replacing a portion of its jet fuel with a more eco-friendly fuel, powering their planes in a more sustainable, cleaner way. 

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#4. Alaska Airlines

Founded: 1932
Headquarters: SeaTac, Washington, United States

Need to Know

Alaska Airlines began when its first pilot, Linious McGee flew his three-seat plane back and forth from Anchorage, Alaska to Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, it is the fifth-largest United States airline. Passengers like Alaska Airlines because of its in-flight service and customer care. 

Alaska Airlines has long been committed to sustainability, far before it was the norm. They were the first airline to discontinue the use of single-use straws both on their planes and in their customer lounges, and have been using biofuels since 2011. 

Alaska Airlines has also won several awards for its service, both of passengers and employees, making it a highly popular choice among people who fly, and people who work in the airline industry. 

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#5. Spirit Airlines

Founded: 1983
Headquarters: Miramar, Florida, United States

Need to Know

Spirit Airlines is one of the newer airlines. It began as Charter One, and flew passengers on charter planes. After purchasing a jet, it changed to Spirit Airlines, and began flying to a few destinations in the United States. Today it is one of the most popular discount airlines, known for its very low ticket prices. 

Spirit Airlines provides very low fares, but it charges for other services and amenities that most airlines provide complimentary, like a carry-on, in-flight snacks, and assigned seats. They also only operate in the Americas, and only countries in the northernmost part of South America, so flying to many countries across the world is not possible when using Spirit Airlines. 

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#6. JetBlue

Founded: August 1998
Headquarters: Long Island City, New York, New York, United States

Need to Know

JetBlue is another newer airline, having only operated for a couple decades. But in its short time of operation, it has become a global airline, and has even managed to win some awards. JetBlue is also a very social-conscious airline, dedicated to serving a number of different vulnerable communities through various programs and charitable giving. 

One population in particular that JetBlue supports is youth. They work to provide children with literacy and STEM materials, and support their education in these areas. For children who can’t travel through flight, JetBlue allows them to travel through books, providing reading materials to those in need by partnering with another organization. 

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#7. Virgin Atlantic 

Founded: 1984
Headquarters: Crawley, United Kingdom

Need to Know

Virgin Atlantic began in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, taking advantage of the economic boom at the time. The company knew passengers were doing well financially and wanted to travel, so they began carrying them to various destinations. Virgin Atlantic also knew most airlines at the time were incredibly expensive and didn’t focus much on the customer, and they dedicated themselves to changing the entire flight experience. 

Today, Virgin Atlantic remains committed to providing its customers excellent service, and they aim to become the most loved travel company. Virgin Atlantic is also committed to employing practices that stop the act of human trafficking via airlines, and continues to update their procedures and commitment statements to reflect that. 

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8. Frontier Airlines

Founded: February 8, 1994
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, United States

Need to Know

Frontier Airlines is yet another relatively new airline, having operated for just about 30 years. This airline also offers very affordable tickets, as their belief is that everyone should be able to fly. To live out this belief, Frontier Airlines allows children under 14 to fly free on qualifying flights, making a vacation more affordable for families. 

Frontier Airlines only operates in North America. Because of their geography, Frontier Airlines works to preserve wildlife native to the area, and each airplane of theirs dons a different North American animal on its tail to bring attention to the animal. Frontier Airlines also has merchandise available for each of the animals pictured on their planes. 

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9. Air France

Founded: October 7, 1933
Headquarters: Tremblay-en-France, Paris, France

Need to Know

Air France has been operating for nearly 90 years, and is part of a larger group, Air France-KLM, that flies passengers all over the world. This airline has won multiple awards for its cargo, sustainability, and customer service, and is one of the most popular airlines in the world. 

Air France has stated a few strong commitments, one of them being safety. Because they are flying to so many cities and countries on a daily basis, Air France makes security a top priority, tending to its passengers, employees, and property. The airline ensures all are secure both in flight and at the airport, providing a safe experience from check-in to baggage claim. 

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