Operations Management in Southwest Airlines Essay

Operations Management in Southwest Airlines - Essay Example Southwest Airlines is an example for all of us because it has made tremendous progress by using techniques to improve upon its operations management. It is using its operations management to achieve competitive edge over its competitors. The company uses techniques like e ticketing, faster between flight services, increasing number of seats in planes, flying shorter routes, efficient service of planes, more flight hours by pilots, unique hiring method, and preparation before starting new flights, and less waiting time for planes in order to achieve competitive edge over other airlines.E-Ticketing Southwest Airlines was the first airline in the world to use e-ticketing way back in 1994 (Air Treks, 2011). This initiative of Southwest Airlines has helped them a lot in saving costs related to paper. Also e ticketing has decreased the time required for passengers to board the plan and due to online ticketing checking time of passengers have decreased significantly. All these are the benef its of e ticketing.The company also encourages passengers to use e ticketing because of the advantages of this service. Customers are also charged a nominal fee for the service so this is a win win situation for everyone. Being the pioneer in e ticketing the company has also earned a reputation of serving its customers in a better way by using technology. The clerical work is also highly reduced by issuing tickets online. The system does all the work reducing the number of employees needed for the ticketing purpose. Paper tickets would take physical work as well so that is why it is not desirable. The cost effectiveness of Southwest Airlines is preserved in this way. Southwest Airlines flies domestically only so it is very important that it offers quick services to its customers. Mostly domestic flying passengers are in quite a hurry and that is why e ticketing compliments the clientele of Southwest Airlines. Passengers can book their flights before coming to the airport. By using e ticketing the company has increased efficiency of its operations. Between Flights Time Another operational method used by Southwest Airlines to increase its cost effectiveness is less time taken between flights. By decreasing time between flights Southwest Airlines fly more flights in a day. The time between flights is decreased by quick cleaning services and faster checking out of passengers. Southwest Airlines is famous for quick boarding and off boarding of passengers. Passengers are immediately off boarded as soon as the plan reaches the desired destination. This allows planes to fly more than other competitors in a day. Employees at different