[esaym]

I have a relative that worked in the IT department at SW. Can't remember the details but he said some main parts of their scheduling software were written in the 60's (or maybe even 50's). And it is still running.

Edit: Ok reading comments jogged my memory. It was something to do with the 'Sabre' system which was from the 1950's.

[readthenotes1]

This is true but also true for AA and several other airlines, for reservations and more but not crew scheduling. Sabre is old, huge, and complicated, but is not at fault here.

They run on a specialized version of Sabre that doesn't work the same as the other airlines on Sabre (AA, etc.) which is one reason you don't get SWA flights in Orbitz, etc.