Airline executives come in all shapes and sizes, but Robert E. Jordan is one of the more approachable in the US airline industry. After working previously as a programmer and financial analyst at Hewlett-Packard, Jordan joined Southwest Airlines in 1988, and has served in roles including Director Revenue Accounting, Corporate Controller, Vice President Procurement, Vice President Technology, Senior Vice President Enterprise Spend Management, and Executive Vice President Strategy and Technology.
During his time at Southwest he has led numerous significant change initiatives, but none more significant than the acquisition of rival carrier AirTran Airways, a move that is providing the platform for Southwest to expand its domestic offering into international markets. In the interview below from this year’s World Routes in Las Vegas, Jordan provides an insight into the Southwest Strategy talking low-cost airlines, budget mergers, network integration, international developments, and how the pioneering airline plans to take things to the MAX with Boeing’s latest short-haul jet.
