It's not the specific "10-minute turn" that's the key, it's having a faster turn than the competition. The regulations affect everyone equally, and if Southwest

It's not the specific "10-minute turn" that's the key, it's having a faster turn than the competition. The regulations affect everyone equally, and if Southwest has a 25-minute turn while other airlines can only manage a 35-minute turn that's still a win. Also keep in mind that some airline regulations were much more strict in the 1970s - all routes and fares had to be approved in advance by the Civil Aeronautics Board and competition on price was nonexistent. Southwest was exempt from these regulations because they only operated within Texas.