Southwest Airlines was named to FORTUNE’s 2021 list of World’s Most Admired Companies.
According to a news release, the Texas-based airline ranks No. 14, and has been featured on the list since 2009. The carrier is the only commercial airline to be listed among the top 15.
“Never has this prestigious award been more gratifying than this year—easily the most challenging year in our company’s history,” said Gary Kelly, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Airlines in a news release. “All the credit goes to our people, who rose to the challenge and prevailed. It is because of their heart, passion, and dedication to our customers and each other that we are once again recognized as one of the most admired companies in the world—2020 was truly their finest hour.”
Southwest has been in operation for 50 years and flying out of Harlingen’s Valley International Airport for 46 of those years.
SWA started service in the Rio Grande Valley on Feb. 11, 1975, marking the airline’s first venture outside of its now legendary “Texas Triangle,” Southwest’s original route structure connecting Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.
