What Southwest Requires Before You explore

Southwest Airlines hires flight attendants through a formal recruitment process that starts with meeting their baseline requirements. You must be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and hold a valid passport. You also need a Social Security number and the legal right to work in the United States. Southwest does not sponsor visas for flight attendant positions.

The airline requires uncorrected vision no worse than 20/40 in each eye (correctable to 20/20), and you must pass a medical exam and background check. You cannot have visible tattoos on your face, neck, hands, or feet when wearing the uniform. Piercings other than ear piercings must be removed during duty. Southwest also screens for drug use and criminal history as part of their vetting process.

Physical requirements include the ability to reach overhead bins, lift up to 50 pounds, and move through narrow aircraft aisles during turbulence. You must be able to sit in a jump seat and operate emergency equipment. If you have a disability, Southwest will discuss reasonable accommodations during the hiring process, but the core safety functions cannot be waived.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 21, have a high school diploma or GED, a valid passport, and legal work authorization in the United States.
  • Southwest recruits flight attendants through their careers website, and the process includes a video interview, group interview, and in-person training if selected.
  • The airline requires passing a background check, medical exam, and drug screening before you can begin training.
  • Flight attendant training at Southwest lasts approximately five weeks and covers safety procedures, customer service, and aircraft-specific operations.
  • After training, you start as a reserve flight attendant with unpredictable scheduling before moving to a regular line with set monthly trips.

Finding and Submitting Your process

Southwest posts flight attendant openings on their careers website at southwest.com/careers. You can filter by job category and location, though flight attendant positions are typically national postings — you do not explore to a specific city. The job listing will show the process window, which is usually open for a set period and then closes. Check back regularly if you miss a posting, as Southwest opens recruitment several times per year.

Your process requires a resume, a cover letter, and answers to screening questions about your background and customer service experience. Be specific about any hospitality, retail, or service roles you have held. Southwest looks for people who have handled difficult customers, worked in fast-paced environments, or managed multiple tasks at once. Your answers should show you understand the job involves safety responsibility, not just serving drinks.

Submit everything through their online portal. Keep copies of what you submitted and note the process ID number. Southwest receives thousands of applications for each posting, so your materials need to stand out. Highlight any bilingual skills — Spanish is particularly valuable — and any experience working in teams under pressure.

The Video Interview and Initial Screening

If your process passes the first review, Southwest will invite you to complete a video interview. This is a recorded, one-way interview where you answer questions on camera with a time limit for each response. You cannot re-record your answers, so prepare beforehand. Common questions ask why you want to work for Southwest, how you handle conflict with passengers, and what you know about the airline's culture.

Research Southwest before your video interview. Know that the airline operates a point-to-point route system (not hub-and-spoke like most competitors), uses only Boeing 737 aircraft, and emphasizes a fun, casual brand. Be able to explain why that appeals to you. Practice your answers aloud so you sound natural and not scripted. Dress professionally, sit in good lighting, and speak clearly into your camera.

Southwest reviews video interviews and selects candidates for the next stage, which is a group interview. This typically happens in person at a Southwest airport or crew base, though some interviews may be conducted virtually. You will be notified by email with the date, time, and location. Confirm your attendance promptly — spots are limited and Southwest may give your slot to another candidate if you do not respond.

The Group Interview Process

The group interview brings together 10 to 20 candidates in a room with Southwest recruiters and current flight attendants. Expect it to last two to three hours. You will introduce yourself, participate in group activities and role-play scenarios, and answer questions about how you would handle passenger situations. Southwest is assessing whether you fit their culture — they want people who are friendly, can laugh at themselves, and work well with others.

Dress in business casual or business professional clothing. Arrive 15 minutes early. During introductions, keep your answer to 30 seconds: your name, where you are from, and one reason you want to work for Southwest. In group activities, be collaborative and speak up, but do not dominate. If you are asked to role-play a difficult passenger interaction, stay calm, acknowledge the passenger's concern, and offer a solution. Southwest flight attendants deal with angry people regularly, and they want to see you handle it with grace.

After the group interview, Southwest will notify selected candidates within one to two weeks. If you advance, you will be invited to a one-on-one interview with a recruiter or manager. This is more formal and focuses on your background, work history, and specific scenarios. Be ready to discuss gaps in employment, why you left previous jobs, and how you have handled workplace conflict. Honesty matters more than a perfect story — Southwest will verify your employment history during the background check anyway.

Medical Exam, Background Check, and Conditional Offer

Once you pass the interviews, Southwest will extend a conditional offer of employment. This means you have the job if you clear the remaining steps. You will be scheduled for a medical exam with a physician approved by Southwest. The exam includes vision and hearing tests, a physical assessment, and questions about your medical history. You do not need to be in perfect health, but you must be able to perform the essential functions of the job — reaching overhead bins, moving through the aircraft, and responding to emergencies.

Southwest also runs a comprehensive background check that includes criminal history, driving record, and employment verification. They contact previous employers to confirm your dates of employment and job title. If you have any criminal convictions, disclose them honestly on your process. Southwest considers the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and whether it relates to safety or customer interaction. A minor offense from years ago may not disqualify you, but lying about it will.

You will also take a drug screening test. This is a standard urine test for common drugs. If you use prescription medications, disclose them to the medical examiner — they are not automatically disqualifying. Once the medical exam and background check clear, Southwest will issue your official offer letter with a start date for training.

Flight Attendant Training at Southwest

Southwest's flight attendant training program lasts approximately five weeks and takes place at their training facility in Dallas, Texas. You will attend classroom instruction, safety drills, and hands-on practice in a mock aircraft cabin. The curriculum covers emergency procedures, first aid, customer service, and Southwest's specific policies and aircraft systems. You must pass written exams and practical demonstrations to graduate.

Training covers how to operate emergency slides, oxygen masks, and evacuation equipment. You will practice evacuating a full mock cabin in under 90 seconds — this is a federal requirement. You will also learn how to serve beverages and snacks efficiently, handle payment systems, and manage the cabin during flight. Southwest emphasizes their "Warrior Spirit" culture, so expect team-building activities and an emphasis on humor and camaraderie.

You are paid during training, though the rate is lower than your regular flight attendant wage. You are responsible for your own housing and meals in Dallas. Many trainees share apartments or stay in hotels near the training facility. Bring comfortable shoes, business casual clothing for classroom days, and athletic wear for drills. You cannot graduate if you miss more than one day of training without a documented emergency.

Your First Year as a Reserve Flight Attendant

After training, you become a reserve (or on-call) flight attendant. This means you are on standby and must be ready to report to the airport within two hours of being called. You do not have a set schedule — Southwest assigns trips based on operational needs and seniority. Reserve schedules are unpredictable and can include early mornings, late nights, and last-minute changes. Most new flight attendants spend one to two years in reserve status before moving to a regular line.

As a reserve, you will work trips that other flight attendants cannot cover, fill in for sick calls, and cover peak travel periods. You must live within a reasonable distance of your assigned crew base (usually within 60 to 90 minutes by car). If you cannot reach the airport in time, you will be marked as a no-show and face disciplinary action. Some flight attendants move closer to their crew base during reserve years; others commute from their home city.

Your pay as a new flight attendant includes a base hourly rate (paid only for flight hours, not for ground time or standby hours) plus per diem for meals and expenses while away from home. Southwest also offers health insurance, retirement benefits, and flight benefits for you and your family. After you complete your probationary period (usually 12 months), you gain seniority and can bid for regular monthly schedules with more predictable trips.

Building Your Career and Moving to Regular Scheduling

Once you move off reserve status, you bid for a monthly schedule called a "line." You rank your preferred trips in order, and Southwest assigns you based on seniority and operational needs. Senior flight attendants get first choice of trips, so new flight attendants often get less desirable schedules — early mornings, late nights, or longer trips. As you gain seniority, you can bid for better lines with trips that match your preferences.

Southwest flight attendants can also pursue additional roles and certifications. You can become a lead flight attendant (a supervisory role on larger flights), a trainer (teaching new hires), or a safety representative. These positions offer higher pay and more stable schedules. Some flight attendants stay in the role for their entire career; others use it as a stepping stone to management or other airline positions.

Pay increases with seniority and years of service. New flight attendants earn less than those with 10 or 20 years of experience. Southwest also offers tuition reimbursement, professional development, and opportunities to transfer to other departments if you decide the flight attendant role is not the right fit long-term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior flight attendant experience to get hired by Southwest?

No. Southwest hires people with no airline experience. Customer service experience in retail, hospitality, or food service is valuable, but not required. The airline trains you on all safety and service procedures during the five-week program.

What happens if I fail the medical exam or background check?

If you fail the medical exam, Southwest will tell you which condition disqualified you. You can reapply in the future if the condition changes. If the background check reveals disqualifying information, Southwest will notify you of the reason. You can dispute inaccurate information, but you cannot reapply for a set period (usually one to two years).

Can I choose which city I work out of?

Southwest assigns you to a crew base based on operational needs and your preferences during the hiring process. You can request a transfer to a different base after you have been with the airline for a certain period, usually one to two years. Transfers are granted based on seniority and available positions.

How much do Southwest flight attendants make?

Pay varies by seniority and years of service. New flight attendants earn an hourly rate for flight time plus per diem. The exact amount changes based on Southwest's contract with their union. You can find general pay ranges on Southwest's careers website, but your actual earnings depend on how many hours you fly each month.

What if I cannot move to Dallas for training?

Training is mandatory and takes place in Dallas. You must attend in person. Southwest does not offer virtual training or alternative locations. If you cannot relocate temporarily for five weeks, you cannot complete the program.