Mary Schlangenstein

September 29, 2010 | Daily Report Online

Southwest Airlines Co. Chief Executive Officer Gary Kelly, taking on his biggest acquisition ever, is dismantling the carrier's keep-it-simple strategy in a bid to reignite growth. The largest U.S. low-fare carrier's decision to buy AirTran Holdings Inc. for $1.4 billion will mark its first foray into a second jet type and its first boost in seating capacity since the end of 2008.

By Mary Schlangenstein and John Hughes

7 minute read