Southwest Airlines At a Glance
- Southwest Airlines and AirTran pilot seniority list integration is complete.
- New LAX crew base.
- Southwest airlines is nearing ETOPS certification.
- SWAPA has withdrawn membership from the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association (CAPA).
- World’s largest low cost carrier.
Hiring
Southwest Airlines is Hiring Pilots
Uses an application window system where applicants apply during a scheduled window of time. Company then hires from available pool.
Minimum Pilot Requirements to Apply:
- Airline Transport Pilot rating
- 2,500 total flight time or 1,500 hours total turbine time.
- 1,000 multi-engine turbine pilot-in-command (PIC) time preferred.
- Current FAA Class 1 Medical Certificate
- Four year college degree preferred.
- At least three letters from any individuals who can attest to the pilot’s flying skills
Airplane Fleet
- 737-700 511
- 737-800 208
- 737 Max 8 30
Airplane Orders
- 737 Max 7 30
- 737 Max 8 230
Pilot Domiciles
- Baltimore/Washington International Airport BWI
- Dallas Love Field DAL
- Denver International Airport DEN
- Houston William P Hobby Airport HOU
- Mc Carran International Airport LAS
- Orlando International Airport MCO
- Chicago Midway International Airport MDW
- Metropolitan Oakland International Airport OAK
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport PHX
- Atlanta International Airport ATL
Pilot Job Searches Shouldn't Be Stressful.
It takes just minutes to set up your profile and begin matching with available opportunities.
Southwest Airlines Hourly Pilot Pay Rate
| Year | Captain | First Officer |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 266 | 186 |
| 11 | 263 | 184 |
| 10 | 260 | 182 |
| 9 | 257 | 177 |
| 8 | 254 | 175 |
| 7 | 251 | 171 |
| 6 | 248 | 166 |
| 5 | 245 | 159 |
| 4 | 243 | 145 |
| 3 | 240 | 132 |
| 2 | 237 | 118 |
| 1 | 234 | 82 |
Compensation Notes
- Monthly Pay Guarantee 78 hours
- Reserve Pay Guarantee 79 hours
- Most Junior Captain Hired July 2008
- 11.3% profit sharing
- 3% contractual pay raises annually
Per Diem
$2.30/hr domestic
$2.80/hr international
Retirement
Pension B Fund which was funded in 2018 14.2% and scheduled to be funded in 2019 15.0%
Pilot Job Searches Shouldn't Be Stressful.
It takes just minutes to set up your profile and begin matching with available opportunities.
Southwest Airlines Mandatory Pilot Retirements by Year
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2032 | 2033 | 2034 | 2035 | 2036 | 2037 | 2038 | 2039 | 2040 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retirements | 135 | 164 | 206 | 195 | 239 | 289 | 313 | 378 | 399 | 395 | 393 | 391 | 380 | 381 | 381 | 436 | 444 | 374 | 363 | 340 | 322 | 280 |