Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly To Become Executive Chair

(Dallas, TX) — Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly will soon become the executive chair of the Board of Directors.

Dallas-based Southwest announced Wednesday Kelly will take on the new role starting next February. He’s promising to serve as executive chair through 2026. Executive Vice President Robert Jordan will then become CEO with Kelly saying he’s well-prepared for the role.

Kelly has been CEO since 2004 but has been with the company since the 1980s. Jordan has also been with Southwest for over three decades.