Why is Southwest's two letter code WN?

[Tweaker]

Why is Southwest's two letter code WN?

 

[i'mbatman]

I dont know if this is right or not but I think it has something to do with colleen barrett liking Willie Nelson.

 

[biggerguy]

When the business plan was developed on a bar napkin, the bartender threw in a buck as his initial investment toward the company. The bartender's repayment in stead of stock was the code. His name was Wilford Numbly!

 

[BEfly]

"SW" was taken. I think by some airline in Africa

 

[Slug]

Why Not


If that bartender one is true, that guy Wilford lost out on his buck investment big time.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

I thought it was because Herb really likes Wayne Newton.

GP

 

[Uncle Bunkle]

Actually, this goes back to the Wisconsin Northern Railroad, which has an AAR reporting mark of "WN". That railroad was supposed to carry cattle from point to point, bypassing the hub & spoke system of moving cattle across the country. The railroad failed, Southwest took its WN marker, and there you have it.

 

[Mach 80]

Good story, but the reason, as someone else said, is that "SW" was already taken by a foreign airline.

 

[AlbieF15]

Because "Ugly Airplanes that make a lot money" takes up too much space!

Seriously...flew through SLC today and saw the elegant NWA A319 and a host of pretty Delta birds. The CRJ in UAL colors was also elegant. And that wingleted 737 in two tone brown just looked dirty. I know SWA is a superior airline--and full of great people. But couldn't those birds paint schemes be just a tad "prettier" without hurting the shareholders or employees? Shamu and the Lone Star bird stick out as "paint done right..." IMHO. How about a little of that SWA creativity applied to the designs?

 

[StopNTSing]

Because "Ugly Airplanes that make a lot money" takes up too much space!

Seriously...flew through SLC today and saw the elegant NWA A319 and a host of pretty Delta birds. The CRJ in UAL colors was also elegant. And that wingleted 737 in two tone brown just looked dirty. I know SWA is a superior airline--and full of great people. But couldn't those birds paint schemes be just a tad "prettier" without hurting the shareholders or employees? Shamu and the Lone Star bird stick out as "paint done right..." IMHO. How about a little of that SWA creativity applied to the designs?

It has been. Most of the planes are blue now. You need to fly a little more during the day.