How to become a Pilot with Southwest Airlines

Assuming that you already hold a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), to become a Pilot with Southwest Airlines, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

Certificates/Ratings

• USA DOT/FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. The certificate must display the following:  
  • “Airplane Multiengine Land” Category and Class Ratings.
  •  “English Proficient” limitationPlastic certificate (plastic not required if the certificate is a valid temporary certificate)
• USA DOT/FAA First Class Medical Certificate and, if applicable, any necessary Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate (Authorization) or Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) issued by the Federal Air Surgeon

Flight Experience

• We require 2,500 hours total flight time or 1,500 hours total flight time in a turbine aircraft.  
  • Additionally, we prefer a minimum of 1,000 hours in a turbine aircraft as the Pilot in Command. Only time in a fixed wing aircraft is counted. This specifically excludes simulator, helicopter, WSO, RIO, FE, NAV, EWO and UAV.
• Actively flying two of the past five years is preferred.

Education

• A degree from an accredited four-year college is preferred.

General

• Must be at least 23 years old at the time of hire.
• Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.
• Must have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986.
• Must have a valid passport allowing travel across U.S. borders or a Refugee Travel Document

For more information and to get the latest hiring updates, please always check here.

Destination 225° Cadet Pathway

Southwest Airlines, in partnership with CAE, delivers the Destination 225° Cadet Pathway that is designed for both internal and external candidates. The Destination 225° Cadet Pathway is an ab initio program that will take four to five years to complete.

To participate in the Cadet Pathway, you must meet the following requirements:

• Possess a USA DOT/FAA First-Class Medical Certificate
• Have or be able to obtain a valid passport with the ability to travel in and out of the United States
• Have a high school diploma or equivalency
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis without the need for company sponsorship of an employment-based visa now or in the future
• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application
• Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English
• Be able to pass the prescreening requirements needed for employment at Southwest Airlines® (e.g. drug testing and background check)
• Be able to relocate for the duration of the program and future job opportunities
• Demonstrate the ability to pay out-of-pocket or secure financing for the total amount of the program The Southwest Airlines Federal Credit Union has established the Destination 225° Student Loan Program. More information about this program, and how to apply, can be provided upon acceptance into the Destination 225° Cadet pathway.

The Cadet pathway will provide the competency-based training you need as you work toward an opportunity to sit in the right seat of a Southwest® aircraft. 

In this Cadet Pathway, aside from CAE, Southwest Airlines is in partnership with Jet Linx, XOJET Aviation, and IAERO Airways.

Note: The Cadet pathway is designed for someone without previous flight experience, so prior flight time does not provide any advantages during the application process or reduce the cost of training.

For more information and to get the latest updates on this program, please always check Destination 225° Cadet Pathway.

 

Destination 225° University Pathway

The Destination 225° University pathway is designed for collegiate aviators who attend a Southwest® partner university or complete a Southwest Airlines® Campus Reach Internship. 

Southwest partners with the four universities below to offer this transition training.

• Arizona State University
• Southeastern Oklahoma State University
• University of Nebraska Omaha
• University of Oklahoma

To participate in the University Pathway, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be able to obtain an FAA First-Class Medical Certificate
• Have successfully completed your Private Pilot’s License check ride
• Be enrolled in a degree program under the school of aviation/aeronautics at a partner university OR be a current or former Southwest Airlines Campus Reach Intern 
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher
• Have a current and complete log book
• Have or be able to obtain a valid passport with the ability to travel in and out of the United States
• Have a high school diploma or equivalency 
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis without the need for company sponsorship of an employment-based visa now or in the future
• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application
• Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English
• Be able to pass the prescreening requirements needed for employment at Southwest Airlines (e.g. drug testing and background check)
• Be able to relocate for the duration of the program and future job opportunities
• Demonstrate the ability to pay out-of-pocket or secure financing for costs incurred during time in the University pathway

In this University Pathway, Southwest Airlines is in partnership with Jet Linx, XOJET Aviation, and IAERO Airways.

For more information and to get the latest updates on this program, please always check Destination 225° University Pathway.

 

Destination 225° Military Pathway

The Destination 225° Military pathway is designed to bridge the gap between military flight experience and the start of your civilian flying career.  

Eligible applicants for this program are individuals who have completed the U.S. Armed Forces undergraduate pilot training school and received a rating qualification as a military pilot with either rotor, powerlift, or fixed-wing experience.  

Once selected as a participant in Destination 225° you will receive guidance from a Southwest® First Officer Mentor who will be able to provide direction on the additional training or flight time requirements needed before leaving active military status. As a Military pathway participant, you will be required to build the requisite flight time and experience before transitioning out of the military. After transitioning from active status in the military, you will earn your restricted ATP/CTP with our training partner, Bell Murray Aerospace.  

Bell Murray Aerospace is an FAA 142 Training Center dedicated to exploring training opportunities in all areas of aerospace, including individual pilot training, corporate, and military aviation operations. 

​​​​​​​Upon completion of the training with Bell Murray Aerospace (earning your ATP/CTP) the Destination 225° Military pathway will connect you with one of our partner carriers where you will build a minimum of two years’ flying experience prior to launching a career as a Southwest Airlines® First Officer. 

To participate in the Military Pathway, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be transitioning from the military within the next 12-24 months with interest in a career flying for Southwest Airlines
• Have been in a flying position or role in the military for three of the past five years 
• Have completed U.S. Armed Forces undergraduate pilot training school and received a rating qualification as a military pilot 
• Meet or have the ability to meet all FAA requirements to obtain a RATP at the time you enter the Destination 225° Military pathway 
• Have a current and complete log book 
• Possess a USA DOT/FAA First-Class Medical Certificate 
• Have or be able to obtain a valid passport with the ability to travel in and out of the U.S. 
• Have a high school diploma or equivalency  
• Possess a valid driver’s license 
• Be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis without the need for company sponsorship of an employment-based visa now or in the future 
• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application 
• Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English 
• Be able to pass the prescreening requirements needed for employment at Southwest Airlines (e.g. drug testing and background check) 
• Be able to relocate for the duration of the program and future job opportunities 
• Demonstrate the ability to pay out-of-pocket or secure financing for the total amount of the program 

If you are close to meeting, meet, or exceed Southwest Airlines minimum hiring requirements and/or possess an ATP, you should bypass Destination 225° and apply directly for a First Officer position at Southwest Airlines during the next hiring window.

In this Military Pathway, Southwest Airlines is in partnership with Bell Murray Aviation,  Jet Linx, XOJET Aviation, and IAERO Airways.

 

Destination 225° Employee Pathway

Southwest Airlines offers Employee pathways in a partnership with CAE, a worldwide leader in training for the civil aviation, defense and security, and healthcare markets, and US Aviation Academy. Southwest corporate partners for the Employee pathway are XOJET Aviation, Jet Linx, and iAero Group’s Swift Air. If you’re a Southwest Employee, please see SWALife to learn more.

 

Data was obtained thru Southwest Airlines Destination 225° Pathways Page. Please always check this page to get the latest updates.

Southwest Airlines Pilots earn between $53,352.00 – $200,725.20 per year. 

The Annual salary figure varies in the above range starting from a new first officer to a senior captain. Information was sourced from Aviationinterviews.

 

Last Update: August 2021

The information provided above is based from the official website of Southwest Airlines and other credible resources. We have provided you with the information as accurately as possible. However, we highly encourage you to always check the Southwest Airlines career website, and Destination 225° Pathways website directly to keep updated on their hiring statutes, opening of pilot pathway programs, and additional requirements, if any.

Check out how to become a Pilot in the USA to know more about the minimum requirements, pilot training options, and airline programs.