Destination 225°®
University Pathway
Destination 225°®
University Pathway
University Pathway
Create your own flight path
Create your own flight path
The Southwest Airlines® Destination 225° University pathway is for individuals interested in pursuing a four-year degree that will lead them toward a career as a Southwest Airlines Pilot. Once selected, students at our partner universities continue to work on their degree and flight time while receiving guidance and a direct path to becoming a Southwest Airlines First Officer in as little as two years after graduation.
With multiple university and program partners, we created this pathway as a highly accessible, cost-effective, innovative, and one of the fastest routes to flying at a major carrier while pursuing a degree. The university pathway eases barriers to becoming a Southwest Airlines First Officer through guidance, training, and quality flight time in order to develop great pilots.
Ready for your career to take flight? Our applications are opening soon!
Ready for your career to take flight? Our applications are opening soon!
We're thrilled to announce that our Destination 225° Cadet and University pathway applications will both open on Friday, April 24, at 10 a.m. CT and remain open until Tuesday, April 28 at 11:59 p.m. CT.
Join our Talent Community to stay up to date and be among the first to know when the application is live!
Join our Talent Community to stay up to date and be among the first to know when the application is live!
The program
The program

Selected participants attend and complete all required college courses and flight training to gain the flight time and experience needed to fly at one of our program partners.

Upon graduation and the completion of your university’s time commitment as a flight instructor, participants are eligible for hire by one of Southwest’s program partners.

Participants receive ongoing mentorship from a Southwest Airlines Pilot throughout their time in the program.

Most flight partners require a two-year commitment during which you'll complete their initial training, earn a type rating, and ultimately build the quality experience needed to start your career as a Southwest Airlines First Officer.
Mentorship that matters
Mentorship that matters
Along with an engaging training program, cadets receive personal mentorship from active Southwest Airlines First Officers who guide their course throughout the program, from single-engines to Boeing 737s.
"It's rewarding to see the change and the knowledge that our cadets build in such a short amount of time. Mentorship from Southwest First Officers sets Destination 225° apart."
- First Officer Jennifer M.
Destination 225° Lead Mentor
Destination 225° Lead Mentor
Pre-flight checklist
Pre-flight checklist
Dive into the basics of our Destination 225° program, and prepare your application for flight!
To participate in the university pathway, you must:
- Be able to obtain an FAA First-Class Medical Certificate
- Have successfully completed your Private Pilots License check ride
- Be enrolled in a professional flight degree program under the school of aviation/aeronautics at a university partner, or be a current or former Southwest Airlines Campus Reach Intern
- Have completed your freshman year and have your Private Pilots License at the university partner
- Have a current and complete log book
- Have or be able to obtain a valid passport with the ability to travel in and out of the U.S.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalency
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Be authorized to work full-time in the U.S. without the need for company sponsorship of an employment-based visa now or in the future
- Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application
- Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English
- Maintain any physical requirements necessary to complete new and ongoing Pilot training throughout the duration of the Destination 225° program
- Be able to pass the prescreening requirements needed for employment at Southwest Airlines (e.g. drug testing and background check)
- Be able to relocate for the duration of the program and future job opportunities
- Demonstrate the ability to pay out-of-pocket or secure financing for costs incurred during the time in the pathway
The following documents will be required and uploaded as part of your program application:
Resume (submitted in Word or PDF format)
- Your resume should include any applicable flight time, flight certificates, work history in chronological order, and education you are pursuing or have pursued.
Two Professional Letters of Recommendation
- You're required to upload two professional letters of recommendation. These letters may be written by professors or staff from your high school or university; someone you have flown with; current or former supervisors from your employment or volunteer experience; mentors; or community leaders. Please do not submit letters of recommendation from friends or family members in this section; those can be uploaded in the optional “Other Letters of Recommendation” section.
- Current Southwest Airlines Employees only: If you're currently employed at Southwest, we require one letter of recommendation from your direct Leader.
Optional: Other Letters of Recommendation
- Up to two additional letters of recommendation may be uploaded in the optional “Other Letters of Recommendation” section; however, they are not required. If you're submitting a recommendation from a personal connection (such as a friend or relative), please upload it to the “Other Letters of Recommendation” section. Additionally, if you've connected with a Southwest Pilot who is willing to provide a recommendation but has not worked directly with you, please upload that letter in the “Other Letters of Recommendation” section.
Proof of Education
- University Pathway applicants: You must upload an academic transcript as proof of education with your application. You don’t need to order an official transcript; unofficial transcripts may be submitted.
- Cadet Pathway applicants: If you've taken any college coursework, please upload a transcript (either official or unofficial) with your application. If you haven’t taken college coursework, please submit your high school diploma or equivalent.
Logbook
- Applicants who report logged flight time will be required to upload a logbook of all flight hours. Accepted formats:
- Digital logbook download (e.g., ForeFlight, LogTen, MyFlightbook)
- Scanned PDF of physical logbook pages
There is no cost to apply; however, Candidates advancing through the selection process are responsible for all costs incurred, including but not limited to:
- Obtaining a USA DOT/FAA First-Class Medical Certificate
- Completing an aptitude assessment
- Costs with education at a university partner
Besides tuition for a chosen university partner, participants in the university pathway aren't charged for program participation.
University partners
University partners
Students from the following universities who are interested in the university pathway need to apply and complete a comprehensive selection process. The process includes interviews and assessments by Southwest® and its partners.
University pathway FAQs
University pathway FAQs
While instructing, Southwest Airlines will facilitate introductions with the flight partners and help participants prepare for their interviews.
Destination 225° flight partners interview and select university pathway participants at different hour requirements often before reaching R-ATP. Once selected by a flight partner, you're assigned a base location, aircraft type, and training start date. While time commitments vary, most flight partners currently require only two years before you're prepared to start your career as a Southwest Airlines First Officer.
Each participant in the program receives a Southwest First Officer mentor. University participants also visit Dallas, and our state-of-the-art training facility multiple times to receive education and professional development facilitated by mentors. This training includes risk and resource management and time spent in our 737 flight simulators.
Yes. Each flight partner has different locations/bases and we ask that you remain flexible relocating as you collect your flight hours.
Once you complete your training and you're hired as a flight instructor with your university, you'll receive your first paycheck.
The pathways set you up for a successful flying career through a rigorous and challenging training program. Failure to successfully complete any of the requirements, training areas, or meet the expectations of Southwest Airlines or its partners may lead to removal from the program.
- Instruct until you reach R-ATP minimums, then fly for a 121 flight partner
- Instruct until you reach around 750 hours, then fly for a 135 flight partner



















