DALLAS — Southwest Airlines has shared that President Emeritus Colleen Barrett, 79, has died.
According to Southwest, Colleen passionately guided generations to do the right thing, and often cited “The Golden Rule”—insisting that everyone treat each other in a way they would hope to be treated.
“She widely is credited with giving Southwest Airlines its heart because of her strong belief in employees showing love for each other, as well as to our customers. That foundational tenet defines the Southwest Culture more than half a century since the founding of the airline. She lived her life as an example for all to follow,” a statement from the airline said. “The entire Southwest Airlines Family extends deepest sympathies to her son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Melodie Barrett; her beloved grandson, Evan Daniel Barrett; and her brother, Pat Crotty and his family.”
Southwest says Colleen dedicated herself to putting employees first and encouraged them to deliver “positively outrageous customer service,” which became the very signature of Southwest Airlines. She was credited for being the “architect of the company’s famous corporate culture.”
In 2021, Southwest Airlines honored her legacy by establishing the Colleen C. Barrett Institute of Cultural Excellence & Customer Service.
Colleen served in several positions of leadership, including vice president administration; executive vice president customers; president and chief operating Officer, and finally president of the airline from 2001 to July 2008, making her the highest-ranking woman in the commercial airline industry at that time. She also served on the Southwest Airlines Company Board of Directors from 2001 to 2008 as corporate secretary.
“Colleen’s legacy is the Heart of Southwest Airlines and everything that it stands for—the Golden Rule; Hospitality; Serving others; and most of all, LUV!” said President & CEO Bob Jordan. “Colleen’s fingerprints are all over Southwest Airlines, and she cherished her Southwest Family. She taught us how to lead with our Hearts, but she was also one of the toughest people I’ve ever known, leading the charge on many battles and coming out victorious through them all. We will honor her unending contributions to Southwest Airlines by living out our Southwest Way Values in everything we do. She taught us that, and we owe it to her.”
Additional information about Colleen’s impact on the world can be found through the Colleen C. Barrett Institute for Cultural Excellence & Customer Service.
Source: Southwest Airlines Co.
