Memorable quotes from the airline industry

These are some of the more memorable quotes from the airline industry as compiled by The Economist. Have a good read!

“If the Wright brothers were alive today Wilbur would have to fire Orville to reduce costs.” Herb Kelleher, founder of Southwest Airlines

“We don't fall over ourselves if they say ‘my Granny fell ill’. What part of no refund don't you understand? You're not getting a refund so fuck off.” Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair
“A recession is when you have to tighten your belt; depression is when you have no belt to tighten. When you've lost your trousers—you're in the airline business.” Sir Adam Thomson, founder of British Caledonian

“The best thing we can do with environmentalists is shoot them. These headbangers want to make air travel the preserve of the rich. They are Luddites marching us back to the 18th century.” Michael O’Leary trumpets his green credentials

“If someone wanted to pay £5 to go to the toilet I would carry them there myself. I would wipe their bums for a fiver.” Michael O’Leary again

“Running an airline is like having a baby: fun to conceive, but hell to deliver.” CE Woolman, founder of Delta Air Lines

“The worst sort of business is one that grows rapidly, requires significant capital to engender the growth, and then earns little or no money. Think airlines. Here a durable competitive advantage has proven elusive ever since the days of the Wright Brothers. Indeed, if a farsighted capitalist had been present at Kitty Hawk, he would have done his successors a huge favor by shooting Orville down.” Warren Buffett

“It takes nerves of steel to stay neurotic.” Herb Kelleher

“Think and act big and grow smaller, or think and act small and grow bigger.” Herb Kelleher

“You fucking academic eggheads! You don't know shit. You can't deregulate this industry. You're going to wreck it. You don't know a goddamn thing!” Robert Crandall, boss of American Airlines, to an unnamed Senate lawyer in 1971