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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 reimbursem*nt, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.