Is This Seat Open?

Excuse Me, Is This Seat Open?

Why make a podcast about Southwest Airlines? Because this airline is anything but typical. While other airlines assign seats, you get to choose your own when you board Southwest. For the past 50 years, Southwest has zigged while the others zagged. Join us to hear more stories about Southwest – they might surprise you… like high stakes arm wrestling to settle an advertising dispute, or planes full of rescue dogs following a hurricane, and a decade of hot pants and go-go boots. In this podcast we'll share 20 stories about Southwest Airlines from the people who lived them. Hosted by Southwest employees Quinnie Jenkins and Lucas Hershberger. Produced by LA Times Studios and At Will Media. Subscribe to “Is This Seat Open?” now to hear every story.

Episode 1: Malice In Dallas

Two CEOs step into a wrestling ring to arm wrestle. No this isn’t a joke, it’s a 1992 matchup to determine the rightful owner of a multi-million dollar marketing slogan. On this episode, listen to Matt Buckley, Southwest Airlines Retired Vice President Cargo and Charters, tell the story of what happened when Southwest left the lawyers behind and settled a legal dispute in the ring.For more stories on Southwest Airlines’ 50 years of flying and a look behind the scenes, check out latimes.com/isthisseatopen.

Episode 2: Who Was Herb?

Herb Kelleher was known for many things: his larger than life personality, infectious laugh, dressing up in costume, and growing Southwest Airlines from a three plane upstart to the world’s largest low-cost carrier. In this episode, listen to the story of the legendary co-founder of Southwest from the perspective of his daughter, Ruth Kelleher-Agather.For more stories on Southwest Airlines’ 50 years of flying and a look behind the scenes, check out latimes.com/isthisseatopen.

Episode 3: Fare Play & A Bottle of Booze

When a price war with a competitor caused big trouble for Southwest Airlines, the company made a marketing gamble that would determine the future of the airline. In this episode, Southwest Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ryan Green tells us the story of how Southwest was saved by a fifth of liquor. For more stories on Southwest Airlines’ 50 years of flying and a look behind the scenes, check out latimes.com/isthisseatopen.

Episode 4: Legal Eagles: Fighting For The Right To Fly

For most of Southwest Airlines’ history, the company was limited in where it could fly and faced a number of uphill legal and regulatory battles. In this episode, Ron Ricks, the Vice Chairman of the Board and retired Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer of Southwest, tells us the story of the decades long battle over the Wright Amendment.For more stories on Southwest Airlines’ 50 years of flying and a look behind the scenes, check out latimes.com/isthisseatopen.