Benefits | Southwest Careers (2024)

At Southwest Airlines®, our Employees come first.

It’s more than just a paycheck. A career at Southwest Airlines includesseveral benefits and perks, from ourlegendary Culture to travel privileges for Employees and their eligible dependents. Southwest® offers an excellent benefits package, including a generous dollar-for-dollar 401(k) Company match and potential profit-sharing award in the Retirement Savings Plan, subject to vesting requirements and certain compensation limits.

Employee engagement and travel

Southwest Employees can visit almost any corner of the world with generous travel privileges and turn recognition into something meaningful with SWAG Points.

Travel privileges

Employees have free, unlimited travel privileges for themselves and eligible dependents on Southwest Airlines. Eligible dependents include spouse or committed/registered partner, eligible dependent children under 19 years old (or up to age 24 if a full-time student), and parents. And, with pass agreements from other airlines and discounts with rental car companies, hotels, theme parks, and more, Employees can choose their own adventure.

Southwest Airlines Gratitude (SWAG) Points

Recognition is a cornerstone of our Culture. We've made recognizing one another easier through our SWAG platform and by celebrating several milestones throughout an Employee's Southwest journey. Using theSWAG platform, Employees can send a quick note of gratitude (we all call themKick Tails™​​​​​​​)or nominate apeerfor an award that comes with SWAG Points. With SWAG Points,Employees can shop for merchandise, gift cards, experiences, or redeem them for Rapid Rewards® points.

Employee Discount Program

Employees and Interns can receive an unlimited 20% discount on all purchased Southwest flights for themselves and their Eligible Travelers, including spouse and/or committed/registered partner, Travel Companion,eligible dependent children (or up to age 24 if a full-time student), and parents.

Benefits | Southwest Careers (1)

Financial rewards

Employees earn competitive pay and can prepare for their future with our top-ranking retirement program and financial benefits.

Retirement Savings Plan

Southwest will help fund your retirement savings account with a 401(k) Company matchcontributionup to 9.3% of your eligible earnings. Depending on your role with the Company, the 9.3% contribution may be a $1 for $1 match (subject to IRS limits) or it may be a combination of match plus a non-elective contribution.

Profit Sharing

Employees shareSouthwest's success with our profit-sharing award, funded to their Retirement Savings Plan account (subject to Board approval). Profit sharing recognizes Employees' hard work and contributions to the Company's profitability. Southwest was the first in the airline industry to offer its Employees profit sharing, and we're proud of our long history of sharing profits with our People to increase their retirement savings.

Employee Stock Purchase plan

With our Employee Stock Purchase plan, Employees can purchase Southwest common stock at a 10% discount through payroll deductions after six months of continuous service.

​​​​​​​Health

Day onebenefits

Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You will have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan with coverage retroactively available to your first day of employment.

Medical coverage

Employees choose from medical coverage options ranging from preferred provider organizations (PPOs) to a high deductible health plan. Southwest covers a generous amount of the cost, making the monthly amount Employees pay for medical and prescription drug coverage for themselves and their families competitively affordable.

Vision coverage

Vision coverage is an available option for Employees and their families, and includes complete eye exams and contact lenses, or lenses and frames.

Dental coverage

Dental coverage options include preventive, basic, major, and orthodontic care.

Flexible spending accounts

Employees can save money by making tax-free contributions to flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent childcare. Southwest also offers a limited-purpose flexible spending account when enrolled in a high deductible health plan.

Health Savings Account (HSA)

If enrolled in a high deductible plan, a health savings account (HSA) is available for Employees to save for eligible healthcare expenses—now or in the future. A Company-paid concierge service is also available to those enrolled in this plan.

Short-term disability

Noncontract Employees receive coverage from a Company-paid short-term disability plan if an illness or injury lasts more than one week.

Long-term disability

Employees can enroll in long-term disability plans to protect them if they develop a disability and can’t work for an extended period. Pilots aren’t eligible, but may elect long-term disability coverage through Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA).

Basic life insurance

All Employees receive basic term life insurance at no cost. Employees who enroll in a BenefitsPlus program receive one times their annual base pay(minimum of $50,000, up to a maximum of $1 million) of basic term life insurance and may elect optional life insurance up to 10 times their salary, choosing from various levels of life insurance for their spouse/committed partner and their children.

Other available benefits

Other available benefits include adoption assistance reimbursement, paid adoption leave, parental leave (Noncontract Employees), child and elder care resource and referral program, committed partner benefits, a concierge program, supplemental hospital insurance, pet insurance, and auto and home insurance.

Accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance

Accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance is also available as another way to protect Employees or their families in the event of an accident.

Benefits | Southwest Careers (2)

Wellbeing

Health and wellbeing

Programs are available to help Southwest Employees live better on and off the job. They’re centered around supporting the physical, mental, and financial health and wellbeing of our Employees and their families.

Clear Skies—our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employees and family members have access to eight free counseling sessions and work/life balance tools.

Time off

Employees enjoy time off for personal use, vacation, or for the care of themselves or a loved one. The amount of time off varies depending on your workgroup and years of service.

Employee & Leadership development

A part of our Company Promise is to provide a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and growth. We want to set up our People, both present and future, to achieve their professional goals. Southwest Employees recieve access to unique, engaging, and modern development opportunities including in-person classes, online content, mentor programs, and more!

Career Mobility Center

At Southwest, you're empowered to create your own career; one that fits the goals–and lifestyle–you want.Our Career Mobility Center helps Employees proactively prepare for internal career opportunities through services like individual career advising sessions, interview preparation resources, and virtual days in the field.

Community outreach

For more than 50 years, Southwest has connected People and championed communities.Southwest Employees play a large role in making a positive difference in the communities we serve.

Volunteering

Employees are encouraged to volunteer for causes that matter most to them, and Southwest supports them through our Tickets for Time program which donates round trip tickets to nonprofits based on Employee volunteer hours. Plus, we offer several volunteer opportunities throughout the year to allow Employees to make a difference with their Southwest Family.

Local giving

Community Giving Boards comprised of local Employees decide how Southwest gives back to charities in their neighborhoods, tapping into the passion points of their community.

National giving

At the national level, Southwest makes a positive impact on our communities by supporting a number of issues through our charitable relationships. By donating to organizations that support people and the communities we serve, we take pride knowing our donations of time, money, and resources create meaningful impact.

You may click the following links for Aetna and Cigna that disclose the costs of covered items and services as required by the Transparency in Coverage rules of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Benefits | Southwest Careers (2024)

FAQs

What is Southwest Airlines' motto? ›

The airline's slogan (as of 2022) is "Low fares. Nothing to hide.

What are the three core values of Southwest Airlines? ›

Core Values. Southwest Airlines' core values, 'Live the Southwest Way: Warrior Spirit, Servants Heart, Fun-LUVing Attitude' and 'Work the Southwest Way: Safety and Reliability, Friendliness, Service, Low Costs' are cornerstones of how they conduct business.

Does Southwest Airlines have good employee benefits? ›

At Southwest Airlines ®, our Employees come first.

Southwest® offers an excellent benefits package, including a generous dollar-for-dollar 401(k) Company match and potential profit-sharing award in the Retirement Savings Plan, subject to vesting requirements and certain compensation limits.

What Airlines offer free flights to employees? ›

Southwest Airlines Buddy Pass Policies

Employees receive free, unlimited travel privileges and can offer their Southwest travel benefits to their eligible dependents: spouses or committed registered partner, eligible dependent children 19 or younger (24 if they are full-time students), and parents.

What are the core values of Airlines? ›

Uniting the World” drives our decision making, supported by our core values—Safety, Caring, Dependability and Efficiency. In action, that means doing the right thing for our planet, our passengers and our people.

What does Southwest call their employees? ›

We're a Company that takes care of its People and its communities, and our People take care of each other. (We're Cohearts, after all!)

What does Southwest look for in a resume? ›

Prepare your resume

After reviewing the job description, confirm your resume is updated. Include your contact information, include relevant experience, and job-specific skills that qualify you for the position.

What is Southwest Airlines known for? ›

Southwest® is known for our legendary Hospitality and world-famous Culture where People come first. This philosophy has defined us from day one as a reflection of the life and Leadership of our President Emeritus Colleen Barrett, the original architect of Southwest's Culture.

What are Southwest Airlines Code of Ethics? ›

Our Code of Ethics outlines the basic tenets that guide the behavior of our Employees concerning insider trading, competition and fair dealing, payments to government personnel, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, corporate opportunities, protection and proper use of the Company's assets, recordkeeping, reporting ...

How hard is it to get hired at Southwest? ›

It is not unusual for us to interview more than 100 people to fill a single position. We intentionally spend an inordinate amount of time on the recruiting and hiring process. Since we believe that our employees are the key to our success, we hire tough at Southwest.

Which airline has the best job benefits? ›

Southwest Airlines is known for its fun-loving culture and commitment to customer service. It's also considered one of the best airlines to work for in terms of employee satisfaction. The company offers generous benefits packages and profit-sharing plans that allow employees to share in its success.

What airline treats their employees the best? ›

These include Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and Singapore Airlines. Delta Air Lines, known for its high salaries and comprehensive benefits, consistently ranks among the best airlines to work for. Southwest Airlines is famous for its positive company culture and employee satisfaction.

How many Buddy passes do Southwest employees get? ›

Yes you get buddy passes, up to 8 per year, best in the industry. They charge you taxes like they're worth $100, but that's the only price to fly a friend somewhere round-trip.

Does Southwest pay weekly? ›

All of our Employees are paid on the 5th and 20th of each month!

How many free flights do Southwest employees get? ›

Southwest Airlines Benefits

Travel privileges: Southwest employees have unlimited free travel privileges for themselves and their dependents, along with other travel discounts and travel support. Southwest Airlines Gratitude Points (SWAG): SWAG is Southwest's employee recognition program.

What is the slogan of the Southwest heart? ›

We are the airline with Heart, which represents the utmost love and care we have for our Customers and Employees.

What Airlines motto is Wanna Get Away? ›

Wanna Get Away Plus | Southwest Airlines.

What is the slogan for Southwest Airlines you are now free? ›

With expansion to more cities and low fares that continued to make flying accessible, Southwest declared to Customers what the Company stood for in its popular tagline: “You are now free to move about the country.”

What is the brand promise of Southwest Airlines? ›

Connect People to what's important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel. To be the world's most loved, most efficient, and most profitable airline.

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