We've all probably heard the old truism, "in the South, it doesn't matter if you're going to heaven or hell, you're going to change planes in Atlanta." That's a perfect definition of a hub-and-spoke airline's route network. When it comes to route networks, there are two kinds of airlines–Southwest…and everybody else. All of our competitors operate hub-and-spoke networks, meaning that they serve a very small number of airports where they offer a LOT of flights (those are the hubs), and a large number of airports at which they only provide flights to their hubs (the spokes).
If you live in one of those overpriced and overserved hub locations, you can probably fly nonstop almost anywhere you want to go (if you can afford it). But while some lucky travelers get to fly nonstop, hub-and-spoke networks are built to maximize connecting traffic. Most of these other airlines force 50 percent–and as many as 75 percent–of their passengers to change planes at their hubs. Put differently, if your trip doesn't begin or end at the hub location–you're changing planes, pal.
Southwest's system isn't like that at all. Our route network is point-to-point–we do our best to fly you from the point that you're at, to the point that you want to go, nonstop. In fact, despite old impressions that we're an airline of "milk runs" with multiple stops or plane changes, nearly 80 percent of Southwest's Customers fly nonstop from their origin to their destination. I'm not just talking about a quick trip from Dallas to Houston or Baltimore/Washington to Providence. We can fly you nonstop from Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood or Seattle. Baltimore/Washington to San Diego or Las Vegas. Philadelphia to Los Angeles or Oakland.
As with most everything we do at Southwest, we've designed our route network with you, our Customer, in mind. We know people prefer nonstop service, so that's what we aim to provide, as much as possible. We also want to give you the lowest possible fares–after all, we are THE low fare leader–and in order to do that, we need to get you where you want to go as efficiently as possible. And by a large margin, the most cost-effective way to transport someone from point A to point B is to do it without stopping. It makes perfect sense, really–it simply costs less to carry a Customer all the way from start to finish on one flight than it does to carry them on two.
We do, of course, publish connecting itineraries, as well as direct ones (that have an intermediate stop, but no change of planes). By offering connecting and direct itineraries in our smaller markets, we can offer those Customers our legendary low fares and excellent Customer Service.
Chances are about five to one that your next Southwest trip will be on a nonstop flight. And if you're on a direct flight or a connection, hey, look on the bright side. You'll get at least TWO soft drinks, FOUR bags of peanuts….and the whole way, you'll get Positively Outrageous Service from the best Employees in the airline industry. Ours.
Comments
The route system may be point-to-point, but you have at least a handful of de facto hubs: MDW, PHX, LAS, BWI.
Yanqui,
Well, you've certainly named our largest Stations (maybe add HOU and OAK to that list for good measure), but they're not hubs in the classic airline scheduling sense. Hubs are scheduled so a "wave" of 40 ot 50 airplanes arrive, sit on the ground for about the same amount of time to interchange passengers and luggage, then all leave at roughly the same time. An hour later, the process is repeated. We don't schedule that way--each nonstop flight in a market is timed for maximum desireability for the local market. Ideally, we like a nice, steady flow of flights arriving and departing, with minimal bunching.
We don't specifically schedule to create connections--but because of the density of most of our markets, they generate based on pre-set parameters.
So while we're big in a number of places at which we have a large number of departures (fun fact: Southwest has more airports at which we offer more than 100 daily departures than any other airline in the world!), they're not hubs in the classic airline scheduling sense. Why don't you use the word we use internally for them: "Mega" Stations. That ought to scare the competition....right? :)
Bill
Bill,
I know your "Mega" stations aren't hubs in the traditional sense. My point is that to get from one of your smaller stations to the rest of the network almost always requires transit via one of those (what I am calling :) ) de facto hubs. Simply clicking around the interactive route map for nonstop service out of cities like PIT, MHT, JAN, IAD, etc. shows this.
This sounds like an interesting job.
I like the term focus city. I live in Austin, and Southwest has the largest presence here of all the airlines. They offer 15 cities directly, and no other airline comes close. I would like to see more options for Pittsburgh, but that should come in time.
Living here, I have developed a fondness for "little" airports. AUS has 23 gates. It's just easier to get around, easier to get in and out of. Columbus, where I lived for six years, also has a great airport. I don't think you will find an easier-to-use airport for its size (56 gates).
I have noticed that with Southwest, I may be changing in a small airport like El Paso. That's fine with me.
I have also noticed that Southwest has no service at all from Austin to Denver or Omaha. I suppose we can thank the likes of Jim Wright and Kay Bailey Hutchison for that.
It seems like the whole hub-and-spoke system was just a fad that came in the late 1970's. Federal Express had actually started it, and it works very well for what they do. But that's not the same business.
Here's an interesting article originally from the _Wall Street Journal_, "How a City Can Win by Losing its Airport Hub Status":
http://classwork.busadm.mu.edu/Economics%20Newspaper%20Articles/Microeco...
I've taken the liberty of posting the blog at forum on FlightAware (http://discussions.flightaware.com/viewtopic.php?p=12811#12811 is the URL for the posting).
I have talked (typed?) myself blue trying to convince people there and on other forums that Southwest doesn't do hubs.
Bill, you have the job I would love to have. I am fascinated by the scheduling process of airlines. I've studied everything I can get my hands on about scheduling.
I have also been collecting airline timetables for over 35 years now. Sadly, it's nearly impossible to get any current ones in the printed format I also have several OAGs (Official Airline Guides) from the 40's and 50's that are absolutely fascinating to read.
I have also made up airline schedules for my own airlines - now if only I could get a few million dollars to start 'em up!
David,
Thanks for the promotion! And, yes, I fully appreciate how lucky I am to have such an interesting job--one that by its definition is tailor-made for a self-admitted "airline geek"--not to mention that I'm part of one of the most wonderful firms to work for on the entire planet.
And as for getting a few million to start your own airline--two thoughts. First, Southwest and our LCC brethren are an increasingly difficult genre to steer clear of, competitively. And second--do you know how to make a small fortune in the industry? Start with a large one! :) (Unless your names are Rollin King and Herbert D. Kelleher, of course!).
Bill: "Do you know how to make a small fortune in the industry? Start with a large one!" is the mantra of the airline industry - unless, of course, you have the codes SWA or WN attached to your flight numbers.
My airline would have ultra-luxury service - only chocolate covered peanuts would be served -and wouldn't compete with other airlines because I'd be flying from what are now general aviation airports.
Bill, thanks for adding four non stops from dtw to bwi.
How about a few more to phx? ;-)
Is there a particular rational Southwest uses when it decides not to connect existing Southwest cities that do not have service yet are in the 300 to 500 mile stage length range from one another? In most cases the hub alternatives, such as Altanta, have gotten very pricy in the last few months. One suck missing link in particular is JAN to BNA. I am sure there are others but that one comes to mind.
Great. So when are you coming to Memphis. Seriously, when are you coming to Memphis.
MC
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