Passenger airline
Southwest Airlines
Get to know the people, places, and operation behind your next move.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
Get to know Southwest Airlines.
Southwest emphasizes its people and the communities it serves. For applicants who connect with that identity, exploring the teamwork behind its airline operation can be a good next step in a career search.
WHY CONSIDER SOUTHWEST AIRLINES?
Picture yourself here.
Explore a broad network built around one aircraft family.
High-frequency flying and many direct routes can be appealing if you enjoy the coordination behind a busy daily schedule.
Career perspectives to explore, not promises of a vacancy, specific duties, benefits, or progression. Ask the employer what applies to the role you are considering.
- Type of operation
- Passenger airline
- Headquarters
- Dallas, Texas
HOW IT BEGAN
A little history.
Southwest began flying in 1971 with service linking Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Its network grew around frequent point-to-point travel and Boeing 737 operations.
FLEET & NETWORK
The operation behind the name.
- Aircraft types
- Boeing 737-700, 737-800 and 737 MAX 8.
- Reported fleet size
- 803 Boeing 737 aircraft at June 30, 2026: 288 B737-700, 192 B737-800 and 323 B737 MAX 8.
- Main airports / operating bases
- Dallas Love Field (DAL), Houston Hobby (HOU), Chicago Midway (MDW), Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX) and Baltimore/Washington (BWI) are major airports.
- Where they fly
- U.S. and near-international passenger services.
Company profile researched October 15, 2026. Fleet figures use the reporting dates and scope shown; aircraft on order are not counted as operating aircraft.
PAY & WORKING LIFE
The details that matter.
- First-year / starting pay
- $103,103/yr
- Top pay
- Not listed
- License pay / premiums
- $370/mo
- Shift patterns
- 5-3, 5-5 8 hr Shifts
- Annual hours worked
- 1751/Year
- Union / representation
- TWU
Pay is shown in the source’s stated currency and period. Older entries describe historical terms. Verify current pay, training rates, premiums, and progression with the employer or applicable agreement.
AROUND THE OFFICE
Local income & housing.
- Dispatch office location
- Dallas (DAL)
- Local median income (not airline pay)
- $70,518/yr
- Local gross rent / month
- $1,472
Local income and gross rent are figures reported in the source spreadsheet, not airline employee pay. They describe the referenced city or county, not surrounding communities. Gross rent includes rent and renter-paid utilities. Census links may now show newer figures than this snapshot.
Inside the operation
As of February 2024; Assistant DX is $101,147/yr with premiums
A career link does not indicate an open vacancy. Requirements and benefits may vary by position and agreement.
KNOW SOMETHING NEW?
Help the next dispatcher.
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