A job built on partnership
A job built on partnership
At Southwest Airlines®, our Employees come first.
It’s more than just a paycheck. A career at Southwest Airlines includes several benefits and perks, from our legendary Culture to travel privileges for Employees and their eligible dependents. Southwest® offers an excellent benefits package, including a generous dollar-for-dollar Company match in the 401(k) Plan, subject to vesting requirements and certain compensation limits, as well as a ProfitSharing Plan.
Employee engagement and travel
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.
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 the SWAG platform, Employees can send a quick note of gratitude (we all call them Kick Tails™) or nominate a peer for 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.
Financial rewards
Financial rewards
Employees earn excellent pay and can prepare for their future with our exceptional retirement programs.
Southwest will help fund your 401(k) retirement savings with Company contributions up 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.
Employees share in the success of Southwest with our ProfitSharing Plan, which rewards them for their contributions to Southwest’s profitability. Southwest was first in the airline industry to offer a ProfitSharing 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
Health
Day one benefits
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 is an available option for Employees and their families, and includes complete eye exams and contact lenses, or lenses and frames.
Dental coverage options include preventive, basic, major, and orthodontic care.
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.
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.
Noncontract Employees receive coverage from a Company-paid short-term disability plan if an illness or injury lasts more than one week.
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).
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 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 is also available as another way to protect Employees or their families in the event of an accident.
Wellbeing
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.
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
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!
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
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.
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.
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.