Southwest Airlines: pilot minimums, pay and hiring
| Type | Major airline (Part 121) |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas (2702 Love Field Dr., per SEC filings) |
| Bases | Not published |
| Aircraft | Boeing 737-700, 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 |
| Published pilot minimums | Preferred: 500 h fixed-wing turbine or completion of the Destination 225° program |
| Published pay | Not published |
| Hiring status | Not published |
| Texas presence | Headquartered at Dallas Love Field; first flights in 1971 were Dallas to Houston and San Antonio. All Texas listings |
| Careers | careers.southwestair.com/us/en/pilots |
Pilot training at Southwest's LEAD Center, which houses 737 MAX, -800 and -700 simulators.
Source / last checked: careers.southwestair.com/us/en/pilots, www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&CIK=0000092380, www.southwest.com/about-southwest/ · checked Oct 24, 2026. Fields marked "Not published" were not stated on the official source when we checked. Always confirm on the operator's site before applying.
FAQ
What are Southwest Airlines's pilot minimums?
Preferred: 500 h fixed-wing turbine or completion of the Destination 225° program
How much does Southwest Airlines pay pilots?
Southwest Airlines does not publish pilot pay on the official page we checked (Oct 24, 2026).