After a long and successful career spanning 25 years at Southwest Airlines, Dave Harvey, the vice president and chief sales officer at Southwest Business, recently made the announcement on LinkedIn that he will be departing from the airline. Southwest Airlines confirmed that Harvey’s last day with the company will be on May 17th. However, just two days after his departure was announced, private aviation company Wheels Up revealed that Harvey will be joining them on May 20th as their new chief commercial officer, prompting him to relocate to Atlanta for the exciting opportunity.
Wheels Up, following its merger with Delta Private Jets in 2020, has undergone significant transformations over the past year. In a pivotal moment for the company in August of 2023, Wheels Up received a $500 million lifeline from Delta Air Lines, alongside investment firms Certares and Knighthead, as it faced uncertainties regarding its future without additional funding. The current CEO, George Mattson, took over in October after founder and former CEO Kenny Dichter stepped down earlier in May. Mattson, who previously served on Delta’s board of directors, has been instrumental in leading the company through these changes. In February, Wheels Up restructured its operations team by bringing in and promoting several former executives from Delta.
Southwest Airlines expressed its gratitude for Dave Harvey’s dedicated service over the course of 25 years, emphasizing his role in establishing and developing Southwest Business since its inception. In 2016, Southwest Airlines made the strategic decision to transfer corporate sales to a new business unit, with Harvey at the helm as the managing director of business development. His leadership and efforts have undoubtedly played a significant part in shaping the success and growth of Southwest Business to where it stands today.
Dave Harvey’s departure from Southwest Airlines marks the end of an era for him at the company, while also signaling a new chapter in his career as he takes on the role of chief commercial officer at Wheels Up. The changes and developments within both companies reflect the dynamic nature of the aviation industry and the importance of strong leadership in navigating through challenges and seizing opportunities for growth and innovation. Harvey’s contributions to Southwest Airlines and his new venture with Wheels Up serve as a testament to his skill, dedication, and adaptability in the ever-evolving world of aviation.
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