David Neeleman

David Neeleman is a Brazilian-American entrepreneur renowned for founding four successful commercial airlines: Morris Air, WestJet, JetBlue Airways, and Azul Brazilian Airlines. He is also a co-owner of TAP Air Portugal, further cementing his influence in the global aviation industry. Born in Brazil to Dutch-American parents, Neeleman attended Brighton High School in Utah and spent three years at the University of Utah before dropping out to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rio de Janeiro.

In 1984, Neeleman co-founded Morris Air with June Morris, where he served as Executive Vice President until 1988 and then as President until 1994. Under his leadership, Morris Air was acquired by Southwest Airlines for $130 million in 1993. Following this, he briefly worked on the Executive Planning Committee at Southwest before becoming the CEO of Open Skies, a touch-screen airline reservation company acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 1999. During this time, he also contributed to the establishment of WestJet.

In 2000, Neeleman launched JetBlue Airways, a boutique airline based in New York that quickly gained a reputation for its customer service and innovative approach. His commitment to his employees was evident when he donated his entire salary to a catastrophe fund for JetBlue staff facing hardships. After stepping down as CEO in 2007, he focused on expanding his aviation ventures.

In 2008, Neeleman returned to Brazil to establish Azul Brazilian Airlines, which rapidly became a major player in the Brazilian aviation market. In 2015, he became a co-owner of TAP Air Portugal. Looking to the future, Neeleman is also set to launch a new low-cost U.S. airline named "Moxy," with operations expected to begin in early 2021, utilizing the Airbus A220-300. His innovative spirit and relentless drive continue to shape the airline industry.