Southwest Airlines saw improvement in nearly every metric in 2024, demonstrating the carrier’s success from its multiyear investments, according to Bob Jordan, CEO, speaking on a fourth quarter earnings call. After a tumultuous year when investor activists sought and won changes at the company, Jordan said Southwest finished the year with an industry-leading completion factor (a measurement of arrivals as planned). And he noted a Wall Street Journal article citing Southwest as one of the top two US carriers that have “separated themselves from the pack.”

Jordan also said the airline’s revenues in the fourth quarter were 8% higher than in the same period in 2023, well above the improved expectations provided in early December. In addition, fourth quarter revenue per available seat mile (RASM) was 7% higher than in the third quarter — five points ahead of the historical third quarter to fourth quarter trend.

Jordan said the carrier has had to adjust its schedule of aircraft deliveries from Boeing, but he is pleased with the manufacturer’s progress in improving its operations. He said Southwest is now planning conservatively for delivery of 38 airplanes this year — down from the originally contracted 136.

Asked about the Trump administration’s flurry of announcements around DEI, Jordan said Southwest “has always worked hard to hire people who are just nice.” He continued: “They fit the culture — and to create an environment that is inclusive and we use the word belonging. People just feel good about being here.”

“Now obviously,” Jordan concluded, “there’s a lot of questions about the flurry of executive orders … we’ll be evaluating those and understanding what we may need to do. And so I think just sort of stay tuned there.”