Chart your course with Destination 225°®

Set your compass to 225°

On a compass rose, 225° is the southwest heading. We developed the Southwest Airlines® Destination 225° Program to train and lead aspiring pilots, like you, to Southwest.


Here are just a few of the many ways Destination 225° guides the way: 

  • Inspiring Mentorships. Learn, grow, and build relationships with some of the best Pilots in the business.
  • Diverse Pathways. Become an airline pilot no matter your flight experience, current career, or education.
  • Big Dreams. Let your dreams take flight and discover what it's like to fly a 737. 
From the office to the skies | Cadet Bailey G.
Stay updated on Destination 225°
Photo of Destination 225° Cadets flying at CAE in PHX, Arizona

Putting the "Family" in Southwest Family.


​​​​​​​As a cadet in Destination 225°, Pashi S. made a big career change inspired by his sister, Southwest First Officer Vicky K. He’s now chasing his aviation dreams and taking the concept of family to new heights.
Photo of Pashi S. and Vicky K. on the flight line
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Find your Destination 225° Pathway

Destination 225° trains and empowers future pilots on how to fly The Southwest Way. If you've ever dreamed of a career at 35,000 feet, set your course for 225° through one of our four pathways: Cadet, University, Military, or Employee.
Destination 225° Cadet and Flight Instructor in the flight deck
Cadet Pathway
Ready for your career to take flight? Through this pathway, 
you start from the ground up with little to no flight experience.
Learn more
Destination 225° Cadet and Flight Instructor flying
University Pathway
Create your own flight path by pursuing a four-year degree in aviation
through our university partners and gain valuable flight experience.
Learn more
Destination 225 Cadet - Pashi S. doing a pre-flight check
Military Pathway
Bridge the gap between military flight experience and the
start of your civilian flying career through this pathway.  
Learn more
Picture of Destination 225 classroom learning
Employee Pathway
Are you a current Southwest Employee that dreams of
​​​​​​​an office in the sky? Visit SWALife to learn more.




Training partners

We proudly partner with the following training organizations to instruct future airline pilots safely and effectively.
US Aviation Academy logo
Bell Murray Aviation logo
CAE logo
SkyWarrior logo

University partners

We’re excited to partner with the following universities’ aviation programs to see your career soar.
Angelo State University's logo
Arizona State University's logo
Auburn University's logo
Kent State University's logo
University of Nebraska at Omaha's logo
University of Oklahoma's logo
Southeastern Oklahoma State University's logo
Texas Southern University's logo

Program partners

We're thrilled about our partnerships with the following organizations who commit to going above and beyond to employ Destination 225° participants.
Advanced Airlines logo
IAreo Group's logo
Jetlinx's logo
SkyWest's logo
XOJet's logo
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