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Pilots
Total

11403

Active

11403

Furloughed
0

Union: Southwest Airlines Pilots Association

Hiring: No
Fleet

737-700: 321
737-Max8: 256
737-800: 203

For more information, please visit Southwest Pilot Career Page

Flight Training

Southwest’s new hire pilot training is known for its efficiency, professionalism, and unique culture-driven approach. Training is conducted at the Southwest Airlines Training Center in Dallas, TX (DAL), and typically begins with two weeks of Indoctrination (Indoc) followed by systems, simulator, and line-oriented flight training.

  • Fleet-Specific Training: All new hires are typed on the Boeing 737 (covering the -700, -800, and MAX 8 variants), with full-motion Level D sims used throughout.
  • Training Pay: First Officers receive hourly training pay—typically credited on a per-day basis during training. While pay is not as generous as some legacy carriers, pilots are credited for each day in training and benefit from Southwest’s industry-competitive rig protections and overrides once operational.
  • Lodging and Travel: Hotel accommodations are provided, and travel is arranged to and from training. Per diem begins upon start of training.
  • Culture Emphasis: In addition to technical proficiency, new hires are immersed in Southwest’s renowned customer service ethos and team-oriented company culture.

As of now, Southwest is not hiring, but class drops and retirements are expected to open the door for future waves of new hires, especially with the airline’s all-Boeing fleet standardization and growth on international and ETOPS routes.

PayScale

PAY SCALE (Hourly)
Captain 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
All Equipment 364 361 358 356 353 350 347 345 342 339 337 334
First Officer 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
All Equipment 255 253 251 249 243 238 236 231 225 220 185 133

Hiring

As of March 2024, Southwest Airlines is not actively hiring pilots. Historically, hiring trends at Southwest are influenced by factors like fleet expansion, market demand, and attrition. Prospective pilots are encouraged to monitor airlineapps.com and official company channels for updates regarding future hiring windows and class dates.

Recently, the airline announced that its Destination 225° Cadet pathway application will be open between Monday, June 30, 10 a.m. CT, and Thursday, July 3, 11:59 p.m. CT.

Hiring Minimums:

  • 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
  • USA DOT/FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. The certificate must 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.

Domiciles

BWI, HOU, MCO, MDW, DAL, DEN, PHX, LAS, OAK, ATL, LAX, BNA

Quick Brief

Company Updates:

  • Southwest Airlines reported in an SEC filing that 63 undelivered Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from 2024 (27 737 MAX 7s and 36 737 MAX 8s) are now scheduled for delivery in 2025 due to Boeing’s certification delays and a 52-day machinists’ strike. This impacts fleet modernization plans, with $3.2 billion in capital commitments for 136 aircraft in 2025.
  • Southwest announced the closure of crew bases in Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Austin (TX), affecting flight attendants but not pilots. However, pilots were reassigned from Denver (DEN) and Atlanta (ATL) to other bases as part of cost-cutting measures amid Boeing delivery delays.
  • Southwest plans to open a new crew base in Nashville (BNA) in 2025, its 12th base, enhancing operational flexibility and network reliability. This creates new opportunities for pilot assignments.
  • The airline has introduced extra-legroom seating in the first five rows and near exit doors on retrofitted Boeing 737-800 and MAX 8 aircraft. These seats are available at no additional cost during the initial rollout, with plans to offer assigned seating and sell extra-legroom seats by the end of 2025.
  • In the first quarter of 2025, Southwest reported operating revenues of $6.43 billion, reflecting strong travel demand and improved pricing power.

Company Overview:

Southwest Airlines (IATA: WN, ICAO: SWA, ATC Call Sign: Southwest) is one of the largest low-cost carriers in the world. Known for its no-frills approach, point-to-point route system, and unmatched brand loyalty, the airline has evolved since its Dallas roots into a domestic and near-international powerhouse. 

Current Operations:

  • Southwest maintains a fully Boeing 737 fleet, optimizing maintenance and training efficiencies.
  • Southwest’s crew scheduling system guarantees:
  • Minimum monthly guarantee: 78 hours (90 TFP) or 84 hours (96 TFP)
  • Reserves receive 6 TFP/day when not assigned and often exceed the minimum due to rig rules.
  • Reserves guaranteed 15 days off in a 30/31 day bid period.
  • Industry-leading schedule flexibility.

Headquarters

Southwest Airlines is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

2702 Love Field Drive
Dallas, TX 75235
United States

Website
https://www.southwest.com/
CEO
Bob Jordan

Jumpseat & Travel Info

  • Jumpseat access requires listing on myIDTravel 

  • Customer Service Agents cannot add pilots to the jumpseat list at the gate—a listing code is mandatory.

  • Appropriate dress of business casual or crewmember uniform.

  • Check-in with the captain required.

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