Lean Operating Systems" Please respond to the following:
Compare and contrast the lean service system found within Southwest Airlines to a full-service airline such as United Airlines, British
Airways, and other large carriers in terms of cabin service, boarding process, baggage handling, and service encounters.
Recommend ways for the airline carriers to improve their lean operation systems in terms of speed and quality while reducing waste
and costs. Explain your rationale. Lastly, respond to at least one (1) post of your peers.
Compare the lean service system of Southwest Airlines to a full service airline such as United
Airlines or British Airways on the following: (a) airplane boarding process, (b) cabin service,
(c) ticket transfer to other Southwest flights, (d) frequent flyer program, (e) baggage handling,
(f) seat assignment system, and (g) service encounters.
There is a large difference between Southwest airlines and its competitors, the boarding process
is meant for speed and minimal ground time with minimal cabin service. We must remember that
until recently the airline was limited by the Wright Amendment that dictated the flights must
land in one of the surrounding states of Texas before continuing on so they needed to make
ground times to a minimum. Southwest does have a frequent flyer program like the other airlines
and their baggage handling operations are the same but Southwest does not charge for bags like
the others. Where most of the airlines have assigned seating , Southwest is a single class cabin
with only boarding groups so it is a first come first serve for the coveted aisle and window seats.
Finally the service encounters with southwest are designed to get the passengers on board the
aircraft with minimal contact because of the tight schedule while the others may spend more time
with the customer because they may pay considerably more for their fare and expect a igher level
of service.
Compare and contrast the lean service system found within Southwest Airlines to a full-service airline such as United Airlines, British
Airways, and other large carriers in terms of cabin service, boarding process, baggage handling, and service encounters.
Recommend ways for the airline carriers to improve their lean operation systems in terms of speed and quality while reducing waste
and costs. Explain your rationale. Lastly, respond to at least one (1) post of your peers.
Compare the lean service system of Southwest Airlines to a full service airline such as United
Airlines or British Airways on the following: (a) airplane boarding process, (b) cabin service,
(c) ticket transfer to other Southwest flights, (d) frequent flyer program, (e) baggage handling,
(f) seat assignment system, and (g) service encounters.
There is a large difference between Southwest airlines and its competitors, the boarding process
is meant for speed and minimal ground time with minimal cabin service. We must remember that
until recently the airline was limited by the Wright Amendment that dictated the flights must
land in one of the surrounding states of Texas before continuing on so they needed to make
ground times to a minimum. Southwest does have a frequent flyer program like the other airlines
and their baggage handling operations are the same but Southwest does not charge for bags like
the others. Where most of the airlines have assigned seating , Southwest is a single class cabin
with only boarding groups so it is a first come first serve for the coveted aisle and window seats.
Finally the service encounters with southwest are designed to get the passengers on board the
aircraft with minimal contact because of the tight schedule while the others may spend more time
with the customer because they may pay considerably more for their fare and expect a igher level
of service.
