Our People

People are, and always have been, the heartbeat of Southwest Airlines^®, and we work to advance and connect them to the things that matter most in their lives. Our focus on People includes Employees, Customers, and communities.

Employees

Culture and Employee Experience

Southwest^® is known for its Hospitality and legendary Culture, where People come first. We care for our People and communities, and our People care for each other.

Our Culture is a source of pride and is at the Heart of who we are. Each Employee is responsible for nurturing our Culture of caring, regardless of tenure or position. Our People are encouraged to be themselves and bring their unique perspectives, skills, and experiences to work with them in their day-to-day jobs. Employees are treated with the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within our organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer.

This philosophy is part of our DNA and reflects the life and Leadership of Colleen Barrett, the original architect of Southwest’s Culture. To learn more about the foundational expectation to put People first and take care of one another, along with resources for building a strong organizational Culture, visit the Colleen C. Barrett Institute for Cultural Excellence & Customer Service.

Careers with Heart

Employees are the Heart of Southwest. Attracting prospective Employees to Southwest and retaining our current People is at the forefront of everything we do. We strive to offer Candidates a positive hiring experience, and part of that focus is transparency and Hospitality at every step. We’re often recognized as a great place to work and a great employer for women, veterans, diversity, and recent college graduates. Check out our awards and recognition for more information.

Southwest empowers Employees to create their own careers that fit their goals and aspirations. We’re committed to quality training and development that drives progress and change, supports retention, and sets Employees up for success. Continuous development resources, like our Learning Library, career certificates program, and our strengths-based assessments, offer Employees the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills.

We strive to cultivate the next generation of Southwest Leaders, equipping them with the tools and skills needed to lead effective Teams. Leadership development initiatives range from initial offerings that equip newly promoted Leaders to recurrent training for ongoing growth and Director-focused development for Senior Leaders. We are also proud to accelerate the development of high-performing Leaders through virtual, in-person, and self-paced experiences in our High Impact Leader I and II cohorts.

In 2025, Noncontract Employees and Leaders participated in a simplified performance management experience designed to strengthen clarity, accountability, and meaningful coaching throughout the year. The Mid-Year Check-in focused solely on results, giving Employees and Leaders a clear view of progress against priorities. The End-of-Year Check-in provided a comprehensive assessment of what was achieved and how it was achieved through individual and Company priorities and Values. More than 97% of Noncontract Employees completed the End-of-Year Check-in in 2025.

Throughout our more than 50-year history, we’ve committed to providing our Employees with great jobs and benefits, a world-famous Culture, and an environment where they feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work. It’s all about a career with Heart and Purpose. We continue to look for opportunities to reflect the communities we serve and welcome applicants with diverse thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences. Join our Talent Community to learn more about our winning Team or apply for a career by you, for you, on Southwest Careers .

Employee Benefits

Southwest believes in supporting our Employees’ wellbeing in all aspects of their lives. That’s why we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, enhanced by various programs and resources targeted at our Employees’ physical, mental, and financial health. An effective total rewards package is essential to attracting and retaining great People, who can deliver Southwest’s unique brand promise to our Customers. Eligible Employees may participate in the following benefits, subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents. Benefits may vary by position, location, work status, and applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Health benefits, including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage, as well as other; voluntary insurance options; and health support services such as an Employee Assistance Program.
Company-provided basic life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and optional supplemental life insurance; short-term and long-term disability coverage; and other voluntary benefits.
Retirement programs to support our Employees’ long-term financial wellbeing, including a 401(k) with Company contributions, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and possible profit-sharing contributions. (Profit-sharing contributions depend on Company performance and are not guaranteed.)
Paid time off, including vacation, personal time, sick time, and holidays. Paid parental leave is available to Noncontract Employees and to Employees whose (CBA) provides for it. For Employees coverage by a CBA, leave benefits are governed by the applicable agreement.

For more information about Employee benefits, check out Southwest Careers.

Collective Bargaining and Freedom of Association

As of December 31, 2025, labor unions represented approximately 84% of our workforce. Our approach to collective bargaining focuses on negotiating agreements that achieve positive outcomes for our People and Southwest while fostering relationships founded on honesty, civility, and understanding. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K contains more information on the various unions representing our Employees.

Inclusion & Belonging

We are a Company of People. People representing diversity of culture, background, experiences, and perspectives. Each of our Employees brings their talent, creativity, and individuality. Together, we make Southwest the incredible Company it is. By fostering inclusion and belonging, we contribute to a Culture where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued.

Safety and Security

Operational Philosophy

At Southwest, Safety isn’t just part of the job; it’s a core value. From takeoff to touchdown, we work together to help protect our Customers, our People, and our operations. Southwest Airlines’ Operational Philosophy defines key principles and expectations for Frontline Employees. Most importantly, and without compromise, Southwest puts Safety first. Company policies and procedures are designed to enable operations at an acceptable level of risk while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Next, and only after operating safely, we balance being low-cost and reliable, all delivered with world-class Hospitality. The Operational Philosophy provides a framework to support a safe work environment for our Employees and a safe travel experience for our Customers, which positions Southwest Airlines for success.

In a world that moves fast, maintaining strong Safety performance requires constant focus, investment, and collaboration. That’s why Southwest continues to build a Culture of Safety and Security where every Employee—whether on the ground, in the air, or behind the scenes—takes ownership to help keep one another safe through our Safety and Security Commitment.

Safety accountability starts at the top. Our Board of Directors, through its Safety and Operations Committee, oversee the Company’s Safety and operational compliance. For more information about our Board committees, visit our Investor Relations site.

Our commitment to Safety comes to life through our Safety Management System (SMS), which provides the framework for identifying, assessing, and reducing Safety risks across our operations. Built on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements and regulations, our SMS consists of four key components: Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion. These elements work together to create a strong framework for Safety at Southwest. They are fully integrated into our daily processes, keeping Safety at the Heart of how we plan, operate, and improve.

Working alongside the SMS, our Security Management System (SeMS) provides a structured framework to identify, assess, manage, and monitor Security risks across Southwest. Built on a risk-based framework developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SeMS helps safeguard People, assets, information, and operations by establishing the policies, processes, tools, and responsibilities needed to manage Security proactively. Embedded across the network in 2025, our SeMS applies a risk-lens approach—examining threats through intent and capability—to help Southwest support more predictive, intelligence-informed decision-making that strengthens operational resilience.

Additionally, our Safety/Security Reporting System (SRS) is available to all Southwest Employees and Contractors. The SRS is a key tool for speaking up about Safety and Security. Input may be shared anonymously, and Southwest prohibits retaliation against Employees for reporting a Safety or Security vulnerability in good faith.

Southwest reached a significant milestone in its Safety journey in 2025 by successfully completing the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). This internationally recognized evaluation assessed Southwest’s operational management and control systems across applicable operational areas and confirmed Southwest’s conformance with IOSA standards. The IOSA program evaluates key areas such as procedures, manuals, and Safety and Security programs, supporting rigorous standards across the board.

Customers

Customer Accessibility Advisory Committee

Established in October 2023, the Southwest Airlines Customer Accessibility Advisory Committee provides an opportunity for us to collaborate and engage directly with the disability community—honoring our commitment to work with a Passenger accessibility advisory group whose invaluable real-world perspectives help shape our policies, refine procedures, enhance training programs, and steer future initiatives Companywide. Through collaboration with Southwest, committee members actively contribute to the delivery of the Legendary Customer Service that defines our Brand, ensuring it is provided to all our Customers.

Focus areas of the committee members include supporting Customers who use mobility devices, have a service dog, are blind, deaf, neurodivergent, and/or have intellectual disabilities. To learn more about the committee, including its members, visit our Disability-Related Accommodations page.

Customer Service and Satisfaction

We believe empowered Employees make great ambassadors, which affects Customers, the world around us, and the success of our business. We’re proud of our outstanding Customer Service and one-of-a-kind Hospitality.

Communities

Corporate Responsibility

At Southwest Airlines, we connect People and champion communities. Our Corporate Responsibility initiatives focus on three principles: loving People, building resilience, and living responsibly.

We put our Heart in action by mobilizing our Employees to do well by doing good, developing programs designed to support the needs of our communities, and engaging with business, civic, and community leaders to be a trusted corporate citizen. Whether in the air or on the ground, we believe community is more than a place—it's at the Heart of what brings us together.

Human Rights

We’re focused on supporting human rights across our business, as outlined in our Human Rights Policy Statement. Our approach is informed by international standards, including the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, the International Bill of Human Rights, and the International Labor Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

Read our Human Rights Policy Statement