PRNewswire/ — Southwest Airlines Co. last week was named to FORTUNE’s 2016 list of World’s Most Admired Companies. Southwest was ranked as the No. 7 Most Admired Company, and is the only commercial airline to make the Top 10. Southwest has been in the Top 10 for 17 out of 22 consecutive years on the list.
“More than four decades ago, Southwest was founded on a People-first philosophy that has served us well and stood the test of time,” said Gary Kelly, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Airlines. “To be recognized as a World’s Most Admired Company 22 consecutive times is a testament to our People, who I believe are the best in the world. They are my heroes, and this honor belongs to them!”
FORTUNE partnered with Korn Ferry Hay Group and asked 4,000 executives, directors, and securities analysts from 652 companies in 30 countries around the world to rate companies in their industry on nine criteria, from investment value to social responsibility. Leaders chose from the top 25 percent of winners from last year’s survey in addition to the top 20 percent in their industry.
