Bob Jordan Takes Flight

Southwest Airlines’ new CEO is poised to pilot the company through uncertain skies ahead. Here’s how he got to his new role and what he sees for the future of the airline.

On February 1 of this year, Robert “Bob” Jordan woke up as CEO of one of the Texas’ most iconic brands.

Seven months before, Jordan had been selected as the new head of Southwest Airlines. It would be his 15th role at the company, where he was first hired as a programmer in 1988.

I spoke with Jordan at 8:00 a.m. on that first day and asked how it felt. “I…