---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-24-242286"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "LUV"
cik: "0000092380"
company_name: "SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO"
filed_at: "2024-10-24T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-30T10:52:25.724438+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.85
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Southwest settles with Elliott, adds 6 directors; Gary Kelly retires Nov 1

## Summary
- Cooperation agreement with Elliott ends special meeting request; 5 new directors from Elliott, plus Pierre Breber appointed.
- Executive Chairman Gary Kelly retires Nov 1; 6 other directors resign; board shrinks to 15 then to 13 after 2025 meeting.
- Gregg Saretsky to chair refreshed Finance Committee; David Cush also on committee.
- Elliott granted standstill and voting commitments; Rights Agreement terminated within 2 business days.
- New independent chair to be selected by reconstituted board; Kelly becomes Chairman Emeritus.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-24-242286
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: LUV
- cik: 0000092380
- company_name: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO
- filed_at: 2024-10-24T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.85
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000119312524242286/0001193125-24-242286-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000119312524242286/d899498d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-24-242286
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-24-242286.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-24-242286.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  J. Veronica Biggins resigned as Director at SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Director
  source text: David W. Biegler, J. Veronica Biggins, Roy Blunt, William H. Cunningham, Thomas W. Gilligan, and Jill A. Soltau each submitted his or her resignation from the Board, effective 11:59 p.m. Central Time on November 1, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000119312524242286/0001193125-24-242286-index.htm
- Executive change
  Gary C. Kelly departed as Executive Chairman of the Board at SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
  - Action: retire
  - Role: Executive Chairman of the Board
  source text: Gary C. Kelly, Executive Chairman of the Board, notified the Company and the Board that he will retire from the Board and his office of Executive Chairman of the Board, effective 11:59 p.m. Central Time on November 1, 2024
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000119312524242286/0001193125-24-242286-index.htm
- Executive change
  Pierre Breber was appointed as Director at SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: the Board appointed Pierre Breber as a member of the Board, effective 11:59 p.m. Central Time on November 1, 2024
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000119312524242286/0001193125-24-242286-index.htm
- Executive change
  David W. Biegler resigned as Director at SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Director
  source text: David W. Biegler, J. Veronica Biggins, Roy Blunt, William H. Cunningham, Thomas W. Gilligan, and Jill A. Soltau each submitted his or her resignation from the Board, effective 11:59 p.m. Central Time on November 1, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000119312524242286/0001193125-24-242286-index.htm
- Executive change
  Thomas W. Gilligan resigned as Director at SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Director
  source text: David W. Biegler, J. Veronica Biggins, Roy Blunt, William H. Cunningham, Thomas W. Gilligan, and Jill A. Soltau each submitted his or her resignation from the Board, effective 11:59 p.m. Central Time on November 1, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000119312524242286/0001193125-24-242286-index.htm
- Executive change
  Roy Blunt resigned as Director at SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Director
  source text: David W. Biegler, J. Veronica Biggins, Roy Blunt, William H. Cunningham, Thomas W. Gilligan, and Jill A. Soltau each submitted his or her resignation from the Board, effective 11:59 p.m. Central Time on November 1, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000119312524242286/0001193125-24-242286-index.htm
- Executive change
  William H. Cunningham resigned as Director at SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Director
  source text: David W. Biegler, J. Veronica Biggins, Roy Blunt, William H. Cunningham, Thomas W. Gilligan, and Jill A. Soltau each submitted his or her resignation from the Board, effective 11:59 p.m. Central Time on November 1, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000119312524242286/0001193125-24-242286-index.htm
- Executive change
  Jill A. Soltau resigned as Director at SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Director
  source text: David W. Biegler, J. Veronica Biggins, Roy Blunt, William H. Cunningham, Thomas W. Gilligan, and Jill A. Soltau each submitted his or her resignation from the Board, effective 11:59 p.m. Central Time on November 1, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/92380/000119312524242286/0001193125-24-242286-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.