Southwest Airlines Celebrates 55 Years of Service with Iconic “Now and Then” Photo and Honors Original Flight Attendants
Southwest Airlines is celebrating its 55th year of service by honoring two Flight Attendants who have been with the airline since its first year in 1971.
To commemorate the milestone, Southwest released a fresh take on an iconic moment—this time offering a sneak peek at the airline’s next evolution of Flight Attendant uniforms. As a special nod to the Company’s history, the photo features Sandra Force, one of the Southwest Flight Attendants who has been with the Company since the very beginning. The original photo, taken in 1972 when Sandra was named “Hostess of the Month,” shows her wearing go-go boots and a signature Southwest poncho. The image was first recreated in 2016 for the airline’s 45th anniversary. In the newest version, Sandra shows off a uniform design set to debut next year.
Southwest also honored Sandra and fellow Flight Attendant Deborah Stembridge, who were both hired in 1971, with their 55-year service anniversary pins. They are the first Employees to receive the new pin created to mark Southwest’s 55th anniversary.
Service pins are a Southwest tradition that recognize Employees who reach milestone anniversaries with the Company, lovingly known as SWAnniversaries. Employees receive pins after their first six months of service, at one year of service, and every fifth anniversary thereafter.
Southwest honors Sandra Force and fellow Flight Attendant Deborah Stembridge, who were both hired in 1971, with their 55-year service anniversary pins
Sandra Force replicates photo in 2016 with new uniform for Southwest’s 45th anniversary
Photo of Sandra Force, taken in 1972, when named “Hostess of the Month,” shows her wearing go-go boots and signature Southwest poncho
Deborah Stembridge, one of the original Southwest Flight Attendants, holds iconic photo of her early days
Sandra Force, one of the original Southwest Flight Attendants, holds iconic photo of her early days
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