One piece of advice that always stuck in my mind is that people should be respected and trusted as people, not because of their position or title.

If the employees come first, then they're happy. A motivated employee treats the customer well. The customer is happy so they keep coming back, which pleases the shareholders. It's not one of the enduring green mysteries of all time, it is just the way it works.

The people of Southwest have always been my pride, my joy and my love. Their indomitable dedication and esprit de corps have taken Southwest from a three-airplane dream to a 500-airplane reality.

I've found that many of the greatest ideas surface in bars because that's where many people cultivate inspiration.

If employees aren't satisfied, they won't promote the product we need.

I think my greatest moment in business was when the first Southwest airplane arrived after four years of litigation and I walked up to it and I kissed that baby on the lips and I cried.

If the Wright brother were alive today Wilbur would have to fire Orville to reduce costs.