The Southwest Airlines® Destination 225° University pathwayis 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.
Cleared for takeoff: The application window for the Desination 225° University pathway opens at 7:00 a.m. CST on January 27 through February 3.
Upcoming University Pathway Information Session
Prepare to fly with Destination 225°, the fastest path to the right seat of a Southwest 737! Our Destination 225° Team is hosting a virtual information session to give you a sneak peek into what's new in the University pathway.
*The listed events are subject to change and may vary based on availability.
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
Pre-flight checklist
Dive into the basics of our Destination 225° program, and prepare your application for flight!
Learn more about our partners
We're thrilled about our partnerships with the following organizations who commit to going above and beyond to train and employ Destination 225° participants.
University pathway FAQs
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