Five commercial airlines count David Neeleman as their founder, marking an extensive career in the aviation industry that began with the charter firm Morris Air. Born in São Paulo in 1959, he later moved to Utah, eventually establishing a professional trajectory that spans the United States, Brazil, and Portugal through numerous airline ventures.
Early Career and Morris Air
Neeleman entered the airline industry by co-founding Morris Air alongside June Morris. Between 1984 and 1988, he served as the company's executive vice president before assuming the role of president. The business operated as a low-fare charter carrier until its acquisition by Southwest Airlines in 1993 for $130 million. Following the sale, he spent five months on the Executive Planning Committee at Southwest.
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After leaving Southwest, he transitioned to technology as the CEO of Open Skies, a provider of reservation systems sold to Hewlett-Packard in 1999. Simultaneously, he helped establish WestJet and NewAir, which later operated as JetBlue Airways. As CEO of JetBlue, he famously donated his 2002 salary and bonus to a crisis fund for employees. By 2008, he launched Azul, a Brazilian carrier that became the nation's largest airline by 2013. In 2015, he entered the European market by acquiring a 61% stake in TAP Air Portugal via the Atlantic Gateway venture, though this stake was reduced to 22.5% by 2020.
Recent Projects and Investments
In 2018, Neeleman announced the formation of Breeze Airways, a domestic startup in the United States, for which he secured $100 million in capital. The airline finalized an agreement for 60 Airbus A220-300 aircraft. His investment portfolio includes Vigzul, a home security firm launched with his brother Mark James Neeleman in 2013, and a seat on the board of the aircraft lessor Azorra, which he joined in June 2022.
Public Policy and Personal Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Neeleman emerged as a critic of government lockdowns. He provided funding for a study conducted by Stanford University professor John Ioannidis regarding the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Santa Clara County, California. Beyond aviation, Neeleman holds citizenships in the United States, Brazil, and Cyprus. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served a two-year mission in Brazil at age 19. He has been diagnosed with ADHD and is the father of 10 children.
Fast facts
- Born: 1959, São Paulo
- Citizenships: United States, Brazil, Cyprus
- Airlines founded: Morris Air, WestJet, JetBlue, Azul, Breeze
- Education: University of Utah, David Eccles School of Business
- 2005 Tony Jannus Award recipient
- Former spouse: Vicki Vranes
- Languages spoken: Portuguese
Questions readers ask
Which airlines did David Neeleman start?
He founded Morris Air, WestJet, JetBlue Airways, Azul Brazilian Airlines, and Breeze Airways.
What is his involvement with TAP Air Portugal?
He co-owned 45% of the airline through Atlantic Gateway, eventually acquiring 61% of the capital in 2015 before the Portuguese state increased its own stake in 2020.
Achievements
- Educated at University of Utah and David Eccles School of Business
