Airlines / Southwest Airlines / How to apply
How to apply to Southwest Airlines
Where Southwest Airlines recruitment stands today, what to prepare before you touch the form, and every stage between the application and the offer call.
Flight attendant hiring has been largely frozen since 2024 amid restructuring and voluntary separation offers; monitor the careers site for rare posting windows, which fill within days.
The application, stage by stage
- 01
Apply online within hours of a posting opening — windows close after tens of thousands of applications.
- 02
Complete an online assessment and recorded video interview.
- 03
Attend a group interview day with team exercises testing warmth and humor alongside professionalism.
- 04
Pass a one-to-one panel interview and receive a contingent job offer.
- 05
Clear background check, drug screen and fingerprinting.
- 06
Complete ~4 weeks of initial training at the Dallas training center and get your base assignment.
Prepare these before you apply
A one-page cabin crew CV
Screened in seconds, often by software first. Lead with customer-facing experience and state languages honestly.
Build one free →Documents and right to work
Passport validity, work authorisation and education certificates get checked early — have scans ready.
CV & photo guide →Assessment day readiness
The group exercise eliminates more candidates than the interview. Know how assessors score behaviour before you walk in.
Assessment day guide →English fluency
Every airline in our index tests spoken and written English. Practise the interview out loud, not in your head.
Practise real questions →Check you qualify before you apply to Southwest Airlines
Answer five questions about your age, reach, tattoos, languages and documents — we check them against every airline's published requirements and show you exactly where you stand.
Frequently asked questions
Is Southwest Airlines hiring cabin crew right now?
Waitlist / closed. Flight attendant hiring has been largely frozen since 2024 amid restructuring and voluntary separation offers; monitor the careers site for rare posting windows, which fill within days.
How long does the Southwest Airlines application process take?
Expect roughly 4-12 weeks from application to a decision, plus training and — for international bases — visa processing before your first flight. Silence beyond about six weeks usually means an unsuccessful file.
What documents do I need to apply to Southwest Airlines?
A one-page CV, a passport with unrestricted travel, education certificates and proof of any languages you claim. Right to work in the US; ability to lift 50 lbs, operate exits and complete a 3–4 week training program in Dallas; strong customer-service personality is screened for heavily.