Southwest Airlines® at the Professional Asian Pilots Association (PAPA) Expo

Say hello.

Thanks for flying by! We're so glad you're here. Southwest® is proud to be the Title Sponsor of the Professional Asian Pilots Association (PAPA) Expo 2023. Visit our Pilot Hiring Team and Destination 225° Program Team at Booths 101 and 107 or join one of our Industry Briefings below.
Did you let us know you're here?

Thursday, May 18
Keynote Speaker: Captain Ernie Meeks
Time: 1100 - 1200 
Location: Pavilion 9

Destination 225° info session
Time: 1300 - 1400 
Location: Pavilion 4

Pilot Recruitment info session
Time: 1400 - 1500
Location: Pavilion 9

Friday, May 19
Destination 225° info session
Time: 1300 - 1400 
Location: Pavilion 4

Pilot Recruitment info session
Time: 1400 - 1500
Location: Pavilion 9
Exhibit Hall hours
0900 - 1600: Southwest Airlines booth open
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’re migrating our Pilot - First Officer application process exclusively to Southwest Careers, as we enhance the user experience and application security. During this transition, if you’ve previously uploaded profile information or files to Pilot Credentials, we’re working to migrate that information to our applicant tracking system.
Apply on Southwest Careers
1
Apply on Southwest Careers
During an open hiring window, please apply to 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

In our new process, we'll ask for additional information and files to be sent directly to the Southwest Pilot Hiring Team during the application journey. No action is required at this time, and we will contact you with additional guidance or requests for information as needed.  

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° pathway program
  • Preferred: Actively flying for two of the last five years
  • Note: PIC time is defined as 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

How Captain Ernie leads with Heart

​​​​​​​
Whether he’s inspiring viewers through his “Pilot Life” videos on his YouTube Channel, motivating and mentoring aspiring aviators, or leading with Heart in all of his travels, Captain Ernie Meeks is the Heart of Southwest Airlines. With over three decades of piloting experience, Ernie hopes to make  Customers, Crews, and fellow aviators everywhere the best version of themselves.  
Captain Ernie M. holding up a Heart in front of a Southwest aircraft

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

*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 count more than 9,800 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

Unveiling Imua One: A high-flying tribute to Southwest Employees and the People in Hawaii who welcomed us with warm aloha.


It’s hard to believe Southwest began serving the Hawaiian Islands four years ago! We’re grateful for the warm embrace of aloha that guided that journey to serve the communities of Hawaii. Imua is a rallying cry in the Hawaiian language that translates to an urging forward, and it underscores a key value at Southwest—Teamwork.
Photo of Imua One

A career with Heart

Our People are the Heart of Southwest Airlines. We're proud that our Employees bring their whole selves to work every day.
Southwest Airlines First Officer smiling out of the window of the flight deck

Breaking barriers,
​​​​​​​one flight at a time
“Don’t let anyone discourage you about the career or any bias and misconceptions that may come with it.”
- Harley P., First Officer
Harley's story
Captain Ernie smiling from the cabin

Hard work plus opportunity always equals success
"At the end of the day, if I can say I brought some joy to the lives of our Customers, I would say that’s a successful day."
 
- Ernie M., Southwest Captain 
 
Ernie's story
Southwest Airlines Captain smiling from the flight deck

A career of learning, teaching, and growing
"Meet those moments with grace and the intent to inform, you’ll know that you carried on with the respect you would bestow on anyone."
- Himani W., Captain
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Himani's story

You've applied for the Pilot role! What's next?

Flight Operations FAQs

Click each question below to learn more about what it's like to be a Pilot at Southwest Airlines.
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