Southwest_careers
Southwest_careers

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

Three cheers for three years!

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 2024 for three years running.

Visit our Pilot Hiring Team and Destination 225° Program Team at Booth 221 or join one of our Information Sessions below.
Did you let us know you're here?

Tuesday, June 4
Charting the Course: Navigating your Future with Southwest​
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Pavilion 9

Keynote Speaker: Captain Billy Kim
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Pavilion 9

Charting the Course: Navigating your Future with Southwest​
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Conference Room 5 and 6

DEI Panel - led by PAPA
Featuring DEI Consultant and inaugural Chair of Southwest’s AAPI Employee Resource Group, Mark Tandoc​
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Pavilion 9

Wednesday, June 5
Charting the Course: Navigating your Future with Southwest​
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Pavilion 9
Exhibit Hall hours
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Southwest Airlines booth open

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Exhibit Hall closed for lunch
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°.
Learn more about our pathways

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

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, which excludes simulator, helicopter, WSO, RIO, FE, NAV, EWO, and UAV specifically
Wanna fly as a Southwest Pilot?
Our First Officer role is currently not posted. Stay in the loop by completing our interest forms and being the first to know when our Pilot – First Officer opportunity is available. 
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

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.  

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 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

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 five 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
​​​​​​​
Himani's story

Flight Operations FAQs

Click each question below to learn more about what it's like to be a Pilot at Southwest Airlines.
During New Hire training, you’ll spend approximately two months at our state-of-the-art training facility in Dallas. Known to us as the LEAD Center, our training facility is for Leadership, Education, and Aircrew Development. 

Our LEAD Center, which is growing, currently houses:
  • 13 Boeing 737 MAX simulators 
  • 10 Boeing 737-800 simulators 
  • 3 Boeing 737-700 simulators 
  • 52 simulator briefing rooms to support 26 simulators
  • 24 procedures trainers with briefing rooms
  • 35 classrooms 
  • 240 Flight Instructors dedicated to your success
​​​​​​​
We’ll provide you with single-occupancy hotel accommodations, transportation to and from the training facility, and full pay during your training. Also, from day one, you and your eligible dependents receive full benefits, including medical and dental insurance, life insurance, and travel benefits. We’ll also provide you with an Electronic Flight Bag iPad and everything you’d need for a world-class training experience.
  • Matched with a Southwest Airlines Pilot mentor
    • Your mentor is a current Southwest First Officer with similar flight experience
  • First day at Southwest Airlines
    • Celebratory welcome dinner with a guest to meet Southwest Leaders
  • 50 days to complete your Initial Training Period
    • Celebrate passing your Boeing 737 Type Rating check ride
  • 25+ flight hours: Initial Operating Experience
    • Fly with a Southwest Check Pilot to build Line Flying experience
  • 30-day period: First month of on-line flying
    • New First Officers are assigned a flying line for the first month to transition to the line with the bonus of not sitting reserve
  • Four months from start date: Check in and get to know your Chief Pilot
  • Six months from start date: First Officer Leadership course in Dallas
    • Two-day event covering CRM/RRM, Safety data and trends, and the opportunity to meet with Senior Leaders
  • Nine months from start date: Meet with your Chief Pilot
    • Another check-in with tips on how to prepare for your upcoming check ride
  • 11 months from start date: Complete your first AQP check ride
  • One year from start date: Celebrate your first Southwest anniversary
    • Receive your second-year pay increase​​​​
  • Atlanta (ATL)
  • Baltimore/Washington (BWI)
  • Chicago (Midway) (MDW)
  • Dallas Love Field (DAL)
  • Denver (DEN)
  • Houston (Hobby) (HOU)
  • Las Vegas (LAS)
  • Los Angeles (LAX)
  • Oakland (OAK)
  • Orlando (MCO)
  • Phoenix (PHX)

We run a monthly vacancy bid, allowing you an opportunity to change your domicile 12 times per year!

ETOPS Pilot bases include Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), and Oakland (OAK).

We announced we're opening a new domicile in the second quarter of 2024 at Nashville International Airport (BNA).
  • Southwest Airlines Pilots enjoy one of the most flexible scheduling policies in the industry. We offer all Pilots, regardless of seniority, the ability to modify their schedule extensively to suit their needs.   
  • We don’t use Preferential Bidding (PBS), so you can see your exact schedule before bidding on it.   
  • Pilots can trade their trips with each other via a web-based system, even with Pilots in a different base. Vacation trading works the same way!
  • Pilots can trade their flying with the Company for various trips that suit their needs.
  • A Pilot can drop their flying line down to zero (with some restrictions)—there’s no minimum you must fly.
  • You can increase your flying amounts up to FAA limits (with some buffers).
  • Pilots are paid 100% credit for every leg they deadhead.
  • We group most of our flying into an a.m. or p.m. pattern for circadian rhythm. Whether you're an early bird or a night owl, we have something to suit you!
  • 11% of our trips are a single-day out-and-back
  • 13% of our trips are two days long
  • 60% of our trips are three days long
  • 16% of trips are four days long
  • On average, Pilots fly 2.8 flights per day*
  • Our reserve Pilots average 16 days off per month
  • Our line-holder Pilots average 17.6 days off per month
  • Our average flight is two hours and 30 minutes long*
  • Our shortest flight is 40 minutes long
  • Our longest flight is six hours and 20 minutes long
  • We currently fly 68 ETOPS flights per day between the Mainland and Hawaii*
*Based on 2021 Fourth Quarter
Since 1997, Southwest Airlines Pilots have visited classrooms and led activities demonstrating to students curriculum, including how to apply science, geography, and math in "real life."

Learn more about our Adopt-A-Pilot Program.
Check out our route map for the most up-to-date locations. 
  • We offer Roth and Traditional 401(k) options*
  • We’ll reimburse most of the cost of your FAA Medical and EKG (when required)
  • We’ll pay for your passport renewal expenses
  • Access to CASS to take advantage of multiple jumpseat agreements
  • Enhanced gender transition benefits**
  • Adoption Assistance Expense Reimbursement Program**
  • Employees and eligible dependents receive access to free counseling resources and work/life balance tools

*401(k) and ProfitSharing contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.
**Benefits vary depending on the workgroup.
Join our Talent Community
We’ll notify you about relevant positions and keep you in mind for new opportunities.
Join our Talent Community
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