Six Southwest Employees stand together next to a plane

​​​​Our COVID-19 Response
It’s hard to believe it’s been over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began impacting us personally, our business at Southwest, and the airline industry as a whole. Southwest Employees have been on the frontline of the pandemic since it first gripped the United States in early 2020. From the initial crisis response and operating in a pandemic, to evolving the business model to ensure our survival and future success, we have continued to innovate and manage through the biggest challenge our Company's history.

You may be wondering how COVID impacted our Employee workforce and what it means for you as you consider pursuing opportunities at Southwest. We can sum up the year in no better words than those spoken by our CEO, Gary Kelly: "We will get through this. Together."

Hear from our Employees about their pandemic reflections, watch Gary Kelly provide Company updates, and learn about Our Southwest Promise during an uncertain time. Explore how the pandemic impacted our finances, job security, health & wellbeing, and more. Finally, learn how our network has grown in 2020 and 2021 and the awards we received even in a tumultuous year. If you have additional questions, we have provided an FAQ resource as well.

Reflections on a Pandemic: Protect, Survive, and Thrive
We have captured lessons learned and some of the amazing stories demonstrating the resilience of our Southwest Warriors. We are sharing these stories through a video series where Employees share their insights on how the pandemic has impacted them personally and professionally.
Bringing relief to San Juan, Puerto Rico on Southwest Airlines
Series introduction
A former Southwest Airlines Summer Camper stands with another Employee
Reflections on a Pandemic: Protect focuses on all the efforts that went into protecting our Employees, our Customers, and our business.
An Employee loads bags on a plane
Video 2
Image that reads, "Lilly's Day at BWI"
Video 3

Ask Gary

 When the pandemic began, our CEO Gary Kelly knew: consistent, authentic, and transparent communication to all Southwest Airlines Employees would be crucial for weathering whatever would come. Gary Kelly has recorded 70+ Employee update videos since that time.
Watch Gary's messages
Media player

What to Know about the Airport Experience & Southwest Promise

Our Legacy
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent effects on the airline industry, Southwest Airlines had no layoffs, furloughs, benefits cuts, or involuntary salary cuts. Through the pandemic we were the only domestic carrier to avoid furloughs and pay cuts. This is the most recent example of our 50-year legacy of taking care of our Employees. ​
Read more about our job security

Learn more:

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Our Southwest Promise
When you’re ready to fly again, Southwest is prepared to welcome you. We have updated our policies and made changes to keep our Employees and Customers comfortable when traveling. This day of travel video walks you through what you need to know from airport arrival to boarding the aircraft. The Southwest Team looks forward to serving you again one day soon. #SouthwestHeartStrong​
Read about the Southwest Promise
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Financially Prepared
Preparedness has always been a strength of Southwest Airlines. We came into 2020 well-prepared with the U.S. airline industry's strongest balance sheet. While the pandemic persists and travel demand remains depressed, we celebrate our 50th year of service in 2021 with renewed hope and optimism about the future. Southwest Airlines:
  • Was the only airline to move forward with awarding Merit post-pandemic in 2020 and awarded Merit on schedule in 2021.
  • Provided a 1.5% bonus to all non-contract roles in Q1 2021.
  • Awarded ProfitSharing on schedule in 2020, despite the onset of the global pandemic just two weeks before ProfitSharing allocation.
Visit our Investor Relations site
A Southwest Employee helps check in a Customer for a flight
Employee Safety and Wellbeing
The Safety and wellbeing of our Employees is always our highest priority. When the pandemic began, we worked diligently to source and provide masks to all Customer-facing Employees. Employees are required to wear masks or face coverings anytime while serving Customers, and we have installed Plexiglas® barriers at ticket counters, gate podiums, and baggage service offices in addition to cleaning these areas multiple times a day. 

The mental health of our Employees has also been top of mind. We offer an Employee Assistance Program, Clear Skies, which provides confidential counseling services and additional resources like assistance finding childcare options, locating housing or caregiving for an aging parent, identifying a dog sitter, or managing a chronic illness. 
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Employees take leave
As we reflect on the past year and what helped Southwest Airlines take meaningful measures to cut spending and conserve cash, we look to our People. The Employees of Southwest put their Hearts into action and voluntarily took time off at the onset of the pandemic to do what they could to help the Company. 

Between March and December 2020, collectively Southwest Employees accounted for savings of approximately $256 million by participating in our voluntary program offerings. So, just what were Employees doing during their time away from Southwest? Here are a few of their stories.
Read their stories
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CS&S gets creative with Employee engagement
Navigating a pandemic means gatherings and celebrations look much different than before, but that doesn’t mean they are any less important! 

Customer Support and Services found creative ways to continue making Employees—both those working at the
centers and those working remotely—feel welcomed, cared for, and appreciated.
Read a few recent examples
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Employees "Loan Their LUV"

At Southwest Airlines, we are proud to put our Hearts into what we do. Our Talent Acquisition Team jumped into action at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. Although hiring ceased due to the impact of the pandemic on our business, Southwest was committed to saving jobs. Our Leadership Team established a "Loan Your LUV" program where Employees whose workload lightened or diminished were placed on short-term “gigs” in departments and Teams that needed additional support. As an added bonus, this allowed these Employees to learn new skills and knowledge in areas they may not have previously been exposed to.

​​​​​​​Learn more about Shannan’s journey from Associate Recruiter in the People Department to Change Specialist in our Culture & Engagement Department. 
Learn more

Our Heart continues to grow: Southwest route expansion 


Southwest did not only play defense during COVID-19. Instead, we expanded the locations we serve by 17 cities throughout the year and are excited to continue to grow our network. See where Southwest Airlines® is flying to now and where we're headed to next: 
Image that shows cities that Southwest has expanded to since the onset of the pandemic

2020 Awards

We received numerous awards and recognitions throughout 2020. Some of those awards included: 
Ranked 11th (in 2020) FORTUNE World's Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE Magazine
Image that reads, "9,500+ Pilots across 11 domiciles in the United States"
Image that reads, "9,500+ Pilots across 11 domiciles in the United States"
Image that reads, "9,500+ Pilots across 11 domiciles in the United States"
Image that reads, "9,500+ Pilots across 11 domiciles in the United States"
Image that reads, "9,500+ Pilots across 11 domiciles in the United States"
Image that reads, "9,500+ Pilots across 11 domiciles in the United States"
Image that reads, "9,500+ Pilots across 11 domiciles in the United States"

COVID-19 Response Careers FAQs