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: 
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  • 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. ​​​​​​​
What it's like to be a Southwest Pilot
Stay updated on Destination 225°​​​​​​​
Picture of Destination 225° Cadets flying at CAE in Phoenix.
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.
Pashi and his sister smiling in front of a Southwest plane
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Destination 225° pathways

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.
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Cadet pathway
Learn more
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University pathway
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Learn more
Pashi S., Destination 225 Cadet, demonstrating pre-flight check.
Military pathway
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Learn more
Picture of Destination 225° classroom learning.
Employee pathway
If you’re a Southwest Employee, please see SWALife to learn more.

Training partners

We proudly support 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.
Arizona State University's icon
University of Nebraska at Omaha's Aviation Institute Logo
The University of Oklahoma's Extended Campus logo
Aviation Sciences Institute at Southeastern Oklahoma State University at Durant OK's logo
Texas Southern University's icon
Angelo State University's icon

Program partners

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