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, communities, and a perspective on relevant societal topics.
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. We encourage and value Employees’ unique perspectives, skills, and experiences. 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
Southwest empowers Employees to create their own careers that fit the goals—and lifestyle—they want. We’re committed to quality training and development that drives progress and change, better retention, and sets Employees up for success. Attracting prospective Candidates to Southwest and retaining our current People is at the forefront of everything we do. We strive to offer Candidates the best hiring experience we can, and part of that focus is transparency and Hospitality at every step. We’re recognized often as a great place to work and a great employer for women, veterans, diversity, and recent college graduates.
Employees are the Heart of Southwest. Throughout our more than 50-year history, we’re 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 comprehensive 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.
- Comprehensive health benefits include medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage, as well as other voluntary insurance benefits and health support services such as our Employee Assistance Program.
- Company-provided life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and optional life and other voluntary benefits.
- Comprehensive retirement programs to support our Employees’ long-term financial wellbeing, including a 401(k) that includes generous Company contributions, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and profit-sharing contributions.
- Paid time off, including vacations, personal time, sick time, disability, holidays, and for Noncontract Employees and other Employees whose collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provides, paid parental leave.
Collective Bargaining and Freedom of Association
As of December 31, 2023, labor unions represented approximately 83% 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.
Customers
Safety and Operational Philosophy
Southwest Airlines’ Operational Philosophy defines key principles and expectations for Frontline Employees. Most importantly, and without compromise, we put Safety first. We expect Employees to follow Company policies and procedures designed to enable operations at an acceptable level of risk for Southwest in 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 for a safe work environment for our Employees and a safe travel experience for our Customers, which positions Southwest Airlines for success.
Customer Service and Satisfaction
We believe empowered Employees make great ambassadors, which affects Customers, the world around us, and the success of our business. Since the Department of Transportation began tracking Customer Service metrics, Southwest has consistently been among the top-ranked carriers in this category—we’ve earned the No. 1 ranking 26 times during the past 34 years. 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 bring those principles to life by investing in partnerships and programs that accelerate economic, social, and environmental impact.
We put our hearts into action by mobilizing our Employees to do well by doing good, developing programs that meet the needs of our diverse communities, and engaging with business, civic, and community leaders to be a globally-trusted 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.
Read more on Corporate ResponsibilityRelevant Societal Topics
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
We’re known for putting People first, which includes recognizing, respecting, and valuing differences. By fostering a Culture that embraces and utilizes our diversity, we create competitive yet equitable advantages that contribute to our overall success. We reflect our commitment to DEI in the practices and Teams that turn that commitment into innovation and positive change, including evolving our recruitment and development practices, creating robust community partnerships, and increasing diversity among Leadership.
Read more on our approach to DEIHuman Rights
We’re focused on protecting and promoting human rights in every aspect of our business, as outlined in our Human Rights Policy Statement. Our approach aligns with 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 StatementSocial Topics Committee
Established in 2015, the Social Topics Committee is a cross-functional executive forum that reviews, evaluates, and proposes responses to current social topics raised and considers areas to take proactive actions and alignment.
The Southwest Airlines One Report
Explore our annual corporate social responsibility report, the Southwest Airlines One Report. This integrated Citizenship report covers significant social, economic, and environmental stories, as well as data tables, and reporting frameworks, all through the lens of corporate Citizenship. Our disclosures have been prepared in reference to the following standards: the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).