Howard Putnam
Encyclopedia
Howard D. Putnam was CEO of Southwest Airlines
for three years and later CEO of Braniff International Airways
at the time of its bankruptcy.
. He joined United Airlines when Capital was acquired by United in 1961. Over the next 17 years, he rose to the position of Group Vice President, Marketing at United Airlines
before leaving to head Southwest Airlines.
From August 1978 to 1981, Putnam served as President and CEO of Southwest Airlines. He left Southwest in September 1981 to head ailing Braniff.
In 1982, he had a famous conversation with American Airlines
CEO Robert Crandall
, in which he was told by Crandall that if Braniff raised their prices, American would too. Putnam declined, but the federal government later brought an antitrust action against Crandall and American based on a recording of the conversation. Putnam was president of Braniff when it ceased operation in bankruptcy on May 12, 1982.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline based in Dallas, Texas. Southwest is the largest airline in the United States, based upon domestic passengers carried,...
for three years and later CEO of Braniff International Airways
Braniff International Airways
Braniff International Airways was an American airline that operated from 1928 until 1982, primarily in the midwestern and southwestern U.S., South America, Panama, and in its later years also Asia and Europe...
at the time of its bankruptcy.
Airline Career
When Howard Putnam was 24 years old, he was a sales representative for Capital AirlinesCapital Airlines
Capital Airlines was an airline serving the eastern United States that merged into United Airlines in 1961. Its primary hubs were National Airport near Washington, DC, and Allegheny County Airport near Pittsburgh. In the 1950s it was the largest US domestic carrier after the Big Four . Its...
. He joined United Airlines when Capital was acquired by United in 1961. Over the next 17 years, he rose to the position of Group Vice President, Marketing at United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
before leaving to head Southwest Airlines.
From August 1978 to 1981, Putnam served as President and CEO of Southwest Airlines. He left Southwest in September 1981 to head ailing Braniff.
In 1982, he had a famous conversation with American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
CEO Robert Crandall
Robert Crandall
Robert Lloyd "Bob" Crandall is the former president and chairman of American Airlines. Called an industry legend by airline industry observers, Crandall has been the subject of several books and is a member of the Hall of Honor of the Conrad Hilton college.-Life:Robert Crandall was raised in Rhode...
, in which he was told by Crandall that if Braniff raised their prices, American would too. Putnam declined, but the federal government later brought an antitrust action against Crandall and American based on a recording of the conversation. Putnam was president of Braniff when it ceased operation in bankruptcy on May 12, 1982.