Southwest Airlines enjoyed record-setting fourth-quarter financial result—and its highly successful Rapid Rewards customer loyalty program played a huge role.
During the company’s Jan. 22 company conference call, CEO Gary Kelly said Southwest’s fourth-quarter earnings, excluding items, set a record, dramatically surpassing last year’s previous record by 79%.
“Our revenues were up $200 million and, interestingly enough, fuel was down $200 million and the result was a beautiful thing,” Kelly said....