1 Images

Boarding Passes

One way Southwest cut costs was by issuing reusable plastic boarding passes and eliminating assigned seating. The passes were sequentially numbered and color-coded for each flight. Passengers boarded in groups in the order in which they checked in. This encouraged early arrivals and speeded up seating, thus allowing Southwest to return an aircraft to service quickly.

Gift of Southwest Airlines

Display Status

This object is on display in America by Air at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

America by Air

Object Details

Date

Circa 2000

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

MEMORABILIA

Physical Description

Southwest Airlines white plastic boarding pass with "First Boarding Group" and number 8 printed in black on both sides.

Dimensions

2-D - Unframed (H x W): 20.3 × 7.6cm (8 × 3 in.)

Materials

Plastic
Ink

Inventory Number

A20010070002

Credit Line

Donated by Southwest Airlines

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use.