This livery is dedicated by the airline to its employees, in recognition of having ranked first in three categories (best on-time record, best baggage handling, and fewest customer complaints) as per DOT data in the 1992-1996 era (it is to be noted though, that the Triple Crown Awards are just a Southwest invention). It was the only blue aircraft in the fleet back in 1997. Originally in a dark blue paint, Triple Crown One later got the standard canyon blue, while keeping the golden tail stripe. In 2015 the scheme was transferred to -700 tail number 409, still featuring the #1 heart medallion. The names of each of the 24,113 employees could be seen on the overhead bins in recognition of their individual efforts in the 1992-1996 period (this part was also reproduced in the -700).
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