Flying High: How JetBlue Founder and CEO David Neeleman Beats the Competition... Even in the World's Most Turbulent Industry »

James Wynbrandt is a New York–based author and award-winning aviation and business reporter. He is a regular contributor to numerous high-profile aviation publications, including Smithsonian Air and Space, Plane & Pilot, General Aviation News, Southern Aviator, and Pilot Journal. A licensed pilot, Wynbrandt has been following JetBlue since the company's founding. His articles on business and aviation have also appeared in the New York Times, Management Review, Computer and Electronics Marketing, Flying, and Aspen Magazine, among others.

"While Flying High tells the tale of JetBlue–from how it was founded to the way in which it operates today–this book is the story of David Neeleman. Throughout this fascinating journey, you’ll discover the management techniques Neeleman has developed and used over the years, which most observers credit for JetBlue’s unparalleled accomplishments. While he applies these rules to running JetBlue, they are truly applicable to every business in every industry."

–From the Introduction

JetBlue is the most impressive airline startup in history and an amazing success story. Its consistent record of profitability has made the carrier shine in an industry that’s full of red ink.

Behind it all stands David Neeleman–JetBlue’s young, brash, bold, and uncompromising founder and CEO.

Flying High traces Neeleman’s spectacular journey from soft-spoken Mormon missionary to the top of the American airline industry. Full of insightful details and interviews with Neeleman’s friends, associates, and prominent figures in both business and aviation, Flying High offers an up-close look at how he built a successful company–and changed an entire industry–by breaking the rules and taking good care of his customers. Among other things, you’ll discover how Neeleman:

• Learned the travel business from the ground up, then used that knowledge to build his first successful airline–Morris Air
• Sold Morris to Southwest Airlines at age thirty-three, for a $25 million personal profit–and then promptly talked himself out of a job with the company
• Created the technology behind e-ticketing
• Launched a low-fare carrier in Canada, before starting what eventually became known as JetBlue
• Steered JetBlue through the aftermath of 9/11, leading the way with dramatic actions that both improved security and ensured the airline’s survival
• Forever changed the flying experience for passengers by introducing such innovations as live in-flight television and unparalleled customer service
• Turned JetBlue into a household name through clever marketing and public relations campaigns

Introduction.

CHAPTER 1: The Journey Begins.

CHAPTER 2: Have I Got a Deal for You.

CHAPTER 3: Morris Air Spreads Its Wings.

CHAPTER 4: Off to Southwest.

CHAPTER 5: Opening Up New Skies.

CHAPTER 6: A Different Kind of Airline.

CHAPTER 7: Preparing for Departure.

CHAPTER 8: JetBlue Takes Flight.

CHAPTER 9: Making Air Travel Entertaining.

CHAPTER 10: Keeping Customers Happy.

CHAPTER 11: The Technology Advantage.

CHAPTER 12: Getting the Word Out in Style.

CHAPTER 13: Dealing with Disaster.

CHAPTER 14: Preserving the Culture.

CHAPTER 15: Looking to the Future.

CHAPTER 16: David Neeleman’s Rules for Succeeding in Any Business.

JetBlue Timeline.

Acknowledgments.

Notes.

Index.