Compare the big three airlines to Southwest's business model: https://slate.com/business/2012/06/southwest-airlines-profitability-how-the-company-uses-operation

Compare the big three airlines to Southwest's business model: https://slate.com/business/2012/06/southwest-airlines-profitability-how-the-company-uses-operations-theory-to-fuel-its-success.html https://slate.com/business/2012/06/southwest-airlines-profit... They essentially have kept operations streamlined by using one plane for all flights, so all pilots and flight crew can fly the entire fleet.