Southwest's demand looks strong ahead of 2023 holidays: CEO

This segment originally aired on November 2, 2023. Despite economic conditions softening consumer spending, Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan tells Yahoo Finance's Seana Smith "demand for the Southwest product is strong." He notes the airline hasn't seen any slowdowns in leisure travel trends or bookings. Southwest bookings for the holiday season are ahead of 2022's pace, resulting in a record year for earnings, revenue, passengers and new customers. However, Jordan points out business travel remains below pre-pandemic levels. Jordan emphasized Southwest's value offerings appeal to all income tiers, even as concerns around savings of the middle class are dwindling. The airline utilizes promotions and low-cost structure to maintain affordability. While conscious of economic uncertainty, Jordan believes Southwest's current offerings will sustain demand from leisure and price-sensitive travelers. "When you need to win a contract, and you need to be there to win that contract, you're gonna fly, your gonna travel." Jordan tells Yahoo Finance. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.