Southwest Airlines® at the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) Annual Conference

Say hello.

Thanks for flying by! We're so glad you're here.

Southwest® and the Destination 225° Pilot Pathways Program are proud to be Developer and Sustainer Sponsors of the OBAP Annual Conference. Fly by Booth 101 and meet our Recruiting Team. 

Let us know how to reach you, and we’ll keep you updated on the latest job opportunities.
Ready to fly: First Officer Recruitment
First Officer Recruitment Open Houses
Daily from 0900 - 0930
Location: Grand Salon C - Room 18 - 1st Floor

Meet and Greets with our Team
We encourage walk-ups, but availability is limited. Please register in advance on the OBAP Conference registration site. 
​​​​​​​Daily during booth hours
Location: Grand Salon C - Room 18 - 1st Floor
I'm interested in flying as a First Officer
Gaining experience: Destination 225° Pilot Pathway Program
Destination 225° Open Houses
Daily from 0830 - 0900
Location: Grand Salon C - Room 18 - 1st Floor

Meet and Greets with our Team
We encourage walk-ups, but availability is limited. Please register in advance on the OBAP Conference registration site. 
Daily during booth hours
Location: Booth 101
I'm interested in Destination 225°

Event schedule: Meet the Southwest Team!

​​​9
Wednesday
Industry Panel: Commercial
Panelist—Cory Bennett, Team Leader Talent Acquisition, Southwest Airlines

Time: 1000 - 1100
Location: Grand Salon 1-9

Development Session: Black Women in Aerospace presented by Destination 225°
Panelist—Djameal Rounsoville (DJ), Managing Director Tech Ops

Time: 1500 - 1600
Location: Grand Salon 1-9
10
Thursday
Leadership Panel - Wings of Influence: Charting a Path for Aerospace Leaders
Panelist—James Ashworth, Vice President Customer Support and Services

Time: 1430 - 1600
Location: Churchill D, 2nd floor
11
Friday
Membership Celebration Luncheon presented by Southwest Airlines
Panelist—Captain Edward Evans, Senior Manager Flight Operations

​​​​​​​Time: 1230 - 1430
Location: Grand Salon 1-9
Don't delay! Apply as a Southwest Pilot today.
We post a new Southwest Pilot opportunity on the seventh of each month (e.g., May 7). We’ve transitioned our Pilot - First Officer application process exclusively to Southwest Careers to enhance the user experience and application security. If you’ve previously uploaded profile information or files to Pilot Credentials, we’re migrating that information to our applicant tracking system.
Apply on Southwest Careers
1
Apply on Southwest Careers
During an open hiring window, apply for the Pilot - First Officer role on Careers.Southwestair.com. You're required to apply for an open position for interview consideration.
2
Provide your required documents

We'll ask you to send additional information and files directly to the Southwest Pilot Hiring Team during the application journey. There’s no action required at this time, and we’ll contact you with guidance or requests for information as needed.

Ready to take flight? Four pathways. One destination.

The Southwest Airlines Destination 225° Program trains and empowers future Southwest 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°.
Discover Destination 225°®
Carrying on a High-flying Legacy.
Captain Ruben F. was a Southwest Pilot for almost 31 years. Throughout his inspiring career, he shared his passion with many young aviators through the Adopt-A-Pilot program and on his trips. He even mentored his family to pursue a career in the skies too. He’s joined at Southwest Airlines by his brother, Captain Christopher S.; cousin, First Officer Chuck J.; and—most recently—his son, First Officer Ruben F.

​​​​​​​Captain Ruben shared many of his flights before retirement with his family, including his last flight from Omaha, Neb., to Chicago with his son serving in his right-hand seat, as his First Officer.
CA Ruben and FO Ruben Flowers smiling
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Minimum qualifications for First Officer. 

Southwest Airlines Pilots walking on the jet bridge
Certificates/Ratings
USA DOT/FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. The certificate, which display the following:

  • "Airplane Multiengine Land" Category and Class Ratings
  • "English Proficient" limitation

USA DOT/FAA First Class Medical Certificate and, if applicable, any necessary Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate (Authorization) or Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) issued by the Federal Air Surgeon.
Southwest Airlines Pilots smiling in front of Southwest plane taking off
Flight experience
  • Preferred: 500 hours in a fixed-wing turbine aircraft or successfully completed all aspects of a Destination 225° pathways program
  • Preferred: Actively flying for two of the last five years
  • Note: PIC time is defined as the Captain or Aircraft Commander of record or pilot signing for the aircraft (not sole manipulator of the controls)
  • Note: Only time in a fixed-wing aircraft is counted, this specifically excludes simulator, helicopter, WSO, RIO, FE, NAV, EWO, and UAV

Our Heart starts with our People.

Want to work in a unique, People-first Culture with competitive benefits and a solid record of job security? Southwest Airlines is growing, and we’re looking for top-notch Employees to grow with us.


Benefits for First Officers you'll love: 

  • Fly for free on any open seat on all Southwest flights—see all the destinations Southwest serves (your eligible dependents fly, too)
  • 15% non-elective contribution (B-Fund) deposited into your 401(k)*
  • A ProfitSharing contribution toward retirement—when we profit, you profit*
  • Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents
  • Opportunity to purchase 10% off Southwest Airlines common stock, LUV, traded on NYSE
  • Company-paid Loss of License


*401(k) Company match contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule.
*ProfitSharing contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.

Why Southwest Airlines?

Two Pilots laughing
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We’re committed to a work environment where everyone can be themselves and recognized for the unique perspectives they each bring forward. Diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords—they’re woven into how we run our business, and they’re reflected in our world-famous Culture.
Read about our diversity initiatives
Two Southwest Pilots
Culture
Our unique Southwest Culture is woven into all aspects of our business, from how we treat each other to how we provide Next-Level Hospitality to our Customers. All Employees are responsible for preserving and invigorating our Culture, regardless of position or tenure, which strengthens our Culture of caring. It’s a source of pride among Employees and at the Heart of who we are.  
Explore our Culture
Photo of veteran Southwest Flight Attendant
Military
We’re proud to have more than 10,200 veterans and 1,800 military spouses in our Southwest Family. Our colors are red, yellow, and blue, but our support is for red, white, and blue.
Learn about our military programs
Photo of Southwest Pilot
Benefits
More than just a paycheck, a career at Southwest Airlines comes with several benefits, from our legendary Culture to travel privileges for Employees and their eligible dependents.
See our benefits
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You've applied for First Officer! What's next?

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