Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century
Gordon M. Bethune
Continental Airlines
1994–2004
1994–2004
Continental Airlines
1994–2004
1994–2004
- Industry: Transportation
- Era: 1990
When Bethune took over Continental, the company was nearly out of cash, there was conflict between employees and management, and the airline ranked last in customer satisfaction. Bethune initiated a market research campaign to determine what frequent flyers wanted and were willing to pay for in an airline. Bethune mapped out a turnaround strategy, and in one year, Continental went from being ranked worst among the major airlines in customer satisfaction to first.
Personal
- Born-Died: 1941
- Birthplace: Texas
- Race: White
- Gender: Male
- Father: Laborer, Skilled
Education / Military
- Graduate: Harvard University
- Undergraduate: Abilene Christian University
- Military Service: Navy