who invested in U.S. Air during the 1990s and was unsuccessful in saving the airline Since the inception of commercial flight, more than 200 airlines have tried and failed in the commercial airline industry. These companies are a reminder that this business is tumultuous, complex, and in many cases, futile. Herb Kelleher, one of Southwest Airlines's founders, illustrates his awareness of how difficult it is to achieve any modicum of profitability in this industry with his comment, "If the Wright brothers were alive today Wilbur would have to fire Orville to reduce costs.