Southwest Airlines, despite having competitive costs, as shown here,is not performing well, and underperforming its key peers. Change is needed. Several factors contribute to that underperformance, including senior management clinging to obsolete strategies as the industry continues to evolve post-pandemic.Elliot is correct in asserting that Southwest can do better and needs strategic change.The question is whether their business plans are different enough from the existing Southwest plans to implement true changes that can make a difference.
Let’s examine a few of the problems at Southwest, specifically their fleet, their product offering, and management team.