"Less experienced First Officer"...
Another incident with a "Dutch Roll" just reported on SW Phoenix to Oakland flight end of May : "Two mid-air incidents"...
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Southwest Airlines® recognizes, respects, and values differences. By fostering a Culture that embraces and utilizes unique skills, talents, and backgrounds, we create competitive advantages in Teamwork and innovation that contribute to our overall success.
The Vision of DEI at Southwest® is to cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment where all our People can thrive. Our focus is to fuel ongoing momentum to operationalize DEI in our processes and practices to achieve systemic and sustainable change.
Every. Single. One. Of. Us.
At Southwest Airlines, our Heart represents our identity. It’s more than the symbol of our brand. It’s who we are. We’re a Company of People. People representing diversity of culture, background, experiences, and viewpoints. Each of our Employees bring their own talents, creativity, and individuality. And together, we make Southwest the incredible Company it is. Our People are the Heart of Southwest Airlines.
Inclusion has always been at the Heart of Southwest. Our Company was founded on the principle of putting People first, and we’ve never wavered from that commitment. That means all People. We’re committed to being a place where Employees feel welcomed and encouraged to bring their whole selves to work without fear of hate, racism, discrimination, harassment, intolerance, disrespect, or injustice. We understand that in order for every Employee at Southwest to thrive, we must foster an environment of impartiality, fairness, representation, and balance.
Beyond scholarships, we collaborate with nonprofits and educational institutions on several workforce development initiatives designed to introduce students to the wide array of career opportunities in the aviation industry.
- Adopt-A-Pilot® Program (AAP): Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2023, this program inspired thousands of fifth-grade students nationwide to explore careers in aviation. Southwest Pilots connect with classrooms, providing mentorship and engaging students in STEM- focused activities and experiments. This program not only educates but also ignites a passion for aviation in young minds.
- D225° Pilot Pathways Program: Launched in 2019, this program trains aspiring Pilots for potential careers at
Destination 225° Pilot Pathways
Southwest. It trains and empowers future Pilots through four different pathways to gain aviation experience, including Cadet, Military, University, and Employee routes, and has more than 450 participants.
Southwest Internship Opportunities: Through paid internships in various departments, students gain valuable experience and exposure to Southwest’s unique Culture, further supporting their educational and professional development.
¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Travel Award Program:
In partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, this program supports students pursuing higher education far from home by providing airline tickets, reducing the financial burden of travel.
Training future Pilots to fly The Southwest Way through four pathways
Cadet Pathway
Trains new or private Pilots with the skills needed to become a Southwest First Officer in as little as four years. There's no typical Candidate or background for the pathway, and all are welcome to apply.
University Pathway
For individuals interested in pursuing a four-year degree that will lead them toward a career as a Southwest Pilot. Students at our partner universities work on their degree and flight time while receiving guidance and a direct path to becoming a Southwest
First Officer in as little as two years after graduation.
Military Pathway
Allows experienced, passionate, and well-trained aviators to learn how to fly The Southwest Way. This pathway bridges the gap for Pilots with fixed-wing turbine experience interested in launching their civilian flying career.
Employee Pathway
Designed for Southwest Employees who have some flight experience (private Pilot’s license or higher) and provide them the training needed to achieve their goal of flying
for Southwest.