The airline industry has faced significant challenges over the past few years, including record-high pilot recruitment followed by a substantial impact on fleet growth due to aircraft delivery delays at major carriers. These delays have led to reduced growth plans and hiring needs, creating a backlog of senior employees at program partners and, in turn, limiting opportunities for new hires. The unusually high volume of pilot hiring in recent years was an anomaly—driving uniquely rapid tracks to becoming an Airline Pilot. The current slowdown across the industry reflects a return to historical norms. 

While there are no current changes to Cadet Pathway Phase 1 policies, extended Phase 1 timelines are being addressed through actionable solutions in partnership with our flight training providers. All ratings* must still be completed with an approved program partner. After completing Phase 1 of the program, all additional Phase 2 and Phase 3 options will be available to participants. 

* PPL, IR, Comm SE, Comm ME, CFI, CFII. 

Destination 225° has official partnerships with seven Part 135 operators and SkyWest Airlines as a Part 121 operator. The BYOP Policy announced in April 2024 allowed participants to be employed at companies outside of our official partners following program approval. In Phase 2, that included instructing at Part 141 flight schools. Phase 3 included all Part 121 companies and Part 135 companies audited by ARGUS or WYVERN.* 

*Third-party safety rating systems that assess the safety and reliability of charter operators.  

Phase 2 BYOP Guidelines*:

All BYOP requests require Destination 225° approval. For more information, visit the Submission Home Portal.

*The Destination 225° Management Team reserves the right to reject any Phase 2 opportunity. In this case, the participant will remain in the program but must find another approved Phase 2 opportunity. 

You’ll need to complete your certificates before beginning the new opportunity. University Pathway participants must complete CFI to complete Phase 1. Cadet Pathway participants must complete CFI and CFII to complete Phase 1. 

All BYOP options must be submitted and approved by the Destination 225° Team. While this isn’t a comprehensive list, some examples of time-building opportunities not approved include banner towing, flying parachute jumpers, aerial displays, and crop dusting.

Unsure if your potential time-building partner qualifies for the BYOP Policy? Complete our BYOP eligibility check to identify if they meet the requirements. For any additional questions, please email Destination225@wnco.com. 

Phase 3 BYOP Guidelines*:  

Unsure if your potential partner qualifies for the BYOP Policy? Complete our BYOP eligibility check to identify if they meet the requirements. For any additional questions, please email Destination225@wnco.com. 

*The Destination 225° Management Team reserves the right to reject any corporate/air carrier opportunity. In this case, the Participant will remain in the program but must find another approved corporate/air carrier opportunity.

Participants currently employed at a Corporate Partner or previously approved BYOP operator must fulfill their current contract commitments to remain in good standing in the program.

Participants must spend a minimum of 24 months flying a turbine aircraft at a program partner or approved BYOP operator. In addition, participants must have a minimum of 500 hours of fixed-wing turbine experience and hold an unrestricted multi-engine ATP certificate to be eligible to apply for a First Officer position with Southwest Airlines.* When these minimum eligibility requirements and employer contract commitments are met, Destination 225° participants become eligible to apply for the first available Southwest Airlines Initial Training class, pending operational need, meeting all Southwest hiring criteria, and approval from the Hiring Review Board. 

*Only Direct Entry CFI’s are exempt from the 500-hour turbine requirement. 

Other than participants already selected and future Flight Leads in the Cadet Pathway, we aren’t currently adding any additional participants to the Direct Pathway. We’ll communicate any future Direct Pathway opportunities as they become available.

As a participant in the Destination 225° Program, you always have the option to separate from the program at your discretion. Choosing to separate from the program won’t negatively impact your ability to pursue future career opportunities at Southwest. However, participants currently employed by a corporate partner must complete their current contract commitments to remain in good standing in the program.