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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Let’s get this Boeing going! Southwest Airlines is known to add some levity to the air travel experience through fun announcements, gate games, and playful personalities behind the gate and onboard announcements. In this episode, we’ll hear from long-time Southwest Operations Agent Gregg Lynn, otherwise known as Gregg The Guy at the Gate, on how he helps make flying fun for customers.

For more stories on Southwest Airlines’ 50 years of flying and a look behind the scenes, check out latimes.com/isthisseatopen. 

Southwest Airlines’ uniforms have always been a cut above. From the early days of hot pants and white lace-up boots in the 70’s to the khaki wave of the 90’s and beyond, customers can spot a Southwest employee from across the airport at the drop of a hat. In this episode, we’ll hear from Flight Attendant Kelli Bartlett who has worn four decades’ worth of iconic Southwest styles, and how in 2014 the airline employees rolled up their sleeves and found a novel way to redesign their signature look.

For more stories on Southwest Airlines’ 50 years of flying and a look behind the scenes, check out latimes.com/isthisseatopen

The often imitated, never duplicated culture of Southwest Airlines has inspired 50 years of loyalty from employees and customers alike, but what exactly is it? Don’t worry, you don’t have to figure it out, that’s Whitney Eichinger’s job. She is Southwest’s Managing Director of Culture and Engagement, and she and the Southwest Culture Ambassadors are on a mission to preserve and enrich the spirit of Southwest.

For more stories on Southwest Airlines’ 50 years of flying and a look behind the scenes, check out latimes.com/isthisseatopen