Awards & Recognition

2023 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

  • Received the 2023 Freddie Awards title of Best Customer Service (Airline): Southwest Rapid RewardsTM
  • Recognized for providing the Best Loyalty Credit Card by the 2023 Freddie Awards for the Southwest Rapid RewardsTM Premier Credit Card from Chase
  • 2023 Sustainability, Environmental Achievement, and Leadership ("SEAL") Business Awards
    • Named the winner of the Environmental Initiative category for the Company's investment in SAFFiRE Renewables, LLC
  • 2023 Port of Seattle Sustainable Century Aviation Award
    • Recognized for the greatest airline use of ground power systems to reduce emissions, while docked at Seattle airport gates
  • Southwest Named Newsweek America's Most Responsible
    • As the only airline to get ranked outside of FedEx, Southwest was ranked 439 out of 500 on Newsweek America's Most Responsible list.
    • Honorees are determined on a holistic view of corporate responsibility including environment, social and corporate governance.
  • Southwest Airlines Named a 2023 Military Friendly Company by Viqtory 
    • Southwest Airlines was recognized for its commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community.
    • The airline was noted for awarding over $5 billion to military friendly efforts.
  • Southwest Airlines Recognized by Newsweek As America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2023
    • Southwest Airlines received the highest rating of 5 stars from Newsweek on the Greatest Workplaces for Diversity. This is a scored list of the 1,000 companies that employees say really respect and value different kinds of people.
  • Southwest Airlines Recognized as Latino Leaders Magazine Best Companies to Work for Latinos 2023
    • This exclusive list was developed with a key focus on criteria such as employment, diversity, recruitment initiatives & programs, promotion potential, and other key factors.
  • Southwest Airlines Named One of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women by Newsweek
    • Southwest was recognized for providing a strong and inspiring workplace for women.
    • "We're committed to providing a supportive environment where women at Southwest can thrive," said Elizabeth Bryant, Senior Vice President People, Learning, & Development at Southwest Airlines. "In 2022, 44% of our workforce was female, and their value to the Company is immeasurable. As a Company dedicated to its People, we're proud to advocate for all Employees."
  • Southwest Airlines Ranked Among Forbes' Best Employers in America
    • This year marks the eighth time that Southwest received this recognition.
    • "We've recruited, hired, and trained more Employees over the last year than ever in our history, and we're dedicated to maintaining our People-first Culture as we continue to welcome new Cohearts to the Company," said Lindsey Lang, Vice President People at Southwest Airlines.
  • Southwest Airlines Recognized on Fortune's 2023 List of World's Most Admired Companies
    • Southwest Airlines has been featured consistently on the World's Most Admired Companies list since 2009. In 2023, the carrier ranked No. 23 overall and No. 3 on the airline industry list.
    • "It's truly an honor for Southwest Airlines to be among FORTUNE's World's Most Admired Companies this year," said Southwest Airlines President & CEO Bob Jordan. "We consider this a recognition of our strong brand, our terrific Employees, and the extraordinary ways they serve each other and our Customers."

2022 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

  • Southwest Airlines Earns Top Score on Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2022 Corporate Equality Index
    • For the eighth consecutive year, Southwest earned 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's annual assessment of LGBTQ+ workplace equality. The carrier joins the ranks of over 840 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks.
  • Eight Years and Counting! Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Voted Program Of The Year At Annual Freddie Awards
    • Rapid RewardsTM frequent flyer program held onto the distinction of Program of the Year for the eighth time in consumer-selected InsiderFlyer's 2022 Freddie Awards.
    • Rapid Rewards program also was named Best Customer Service for the 14th year, and voters once again recognized the Southwest Rapid RewardsTM Premier Credit Card by Chase as Best Loyalty Credit Card for the 8th year.
  • Southwest Named the Top Domestic Airline for Customer Service by the 2022 Elliot Readers' Choice Customer Service Awards
    • For the seventh consecutive year, Southwest Airlines ranked No. 1 among domestic airlines for outstanding customer support and service.
  •  J.D. Power Recognizes Southwest for Highest Customer Satisfaction in North America Among Economy Carriers
    • Southwest Airlines ranked No. 1 in customer satisfaction in the economy/basic economy segment with a score of 849.
  • U.S. Department of Transportation Recognizes Southwest Airlines as Top Carrier in Customer Satisfaction
    • In the past three decades, Southwest has consistently been among the top carriers in the U.S. Department of Transportation rankings for Customer Service among major U.S. carriers with a one-of-a-kind combination of Hospitality and value.
      Disclaimer: U.S. Department of Transportation most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded
  • Southwest Included on Glassdoor's Best Places to Work List in 2022 for the 13th Consecutive Year 
    • The airlines ranked No. 30 on the list of 100 American companies. Results were determined by U.S. employee feedback on factors such as diversity and inclusion, compensations and benefits, culture and values, and work-life balance.
  • Southwest Airlines Named as One of Forbes' 2022 Best Employers for Diversity in America
    • For the fifth consecutive year, Forbes named Southwest Airlines as one of America's Best Employers for Diversity in 2022.
    • "At Southwest, it takes every single one of us to serve our Customers throughout our network every day," said Juan Suarez, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Southwest Airlines. "Being named to this list is humbling and continues to motivate us to improve our diversity efforts across the Company and provide the best workplace for our Employees, which in turn helps us serve our Customers."
  • Southwest Airlines Named a 2022 Military Friendly Company by Viqtory 
    • Southwest Airlines was proud to receive Viqtory's 2022 designations for Military Friendly® Employer (Bronze), Spouse Employer, Supplier Diversity, and Brand. In achieving these four designations, Southwest also earned the overall recognition and the honor of being among the 148 employers earning Viqtory's prestigious Military Friendly® Company designation.
  • Southwest Airlines Once Again Ranked Among Forbes' Best Employers in America
    • For the seventh year, Southwest ranks among the top 100 companies in the Large Employer category by Forbes.
    • The carrier came in at No. 56, second in the transportation and logistics industry.
  • Southwest Airlines Ranked No. 2 in the Best Airlines for 2022 list by The Points Guy
    • Southwest Airlines ranked No. 2 in The Points Guy's sixth annual Best Airlines report.
    • The LUV airline was praised for its customer satisfaction, no baggage and change fees, and award availability.
  • Southwest Named as A Best Place To Work For LGBTQ+ Equality in 2022 from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
    • Southwest was recognized for meeting all criteria and earning a 100 percent rating.
    • The foundation recognized 842 businesses who took steps to establish and implement comprehensive policies, benefits, and practices that ensure greater equity for LGBTQ+ workers and their families.
  • Latino Leaders Magazine Designates Southwest as One of the Best Companies for Latinos to Work 2022
    • Southwest was named to the list for its diversity and inclusion strategies and development. The carrier is the only airline recognized.
  • Southwest Airlines Earns Top Score On Disability:IN's Disability Equality Index for Third Consecutive Year
    • Southwest achieved a top score for the third consecutive year as it continues to focus on its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
    • "Southwest is a People-first employer and a place where diversity is celebrated as every Employee brings unique talents, skills, and perspectives to work every day," said Juan Suarez, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Southwest Airlines. "We focus on ensuring an environment that encourages People to be their authentic selves as they work to connect our Customers to the People and places important in their lives."
  • Southwest Airlines Named One of Forbes' 2022 Best Employers for Women in America for Fifth Consecutive Year
    • This recognition marked the fifth consecutive year the Dallas-based carrier made the list.
    • "Our People are at the Heart of what we do, and we strive to build an environment where everyone feels included, welcomed, and valued," said Linda Rutherford, Chief Administration & Communications Officer at Southwest Airlines. "We believe in providing the support Employees need to bring their authentic selves to work each day and succeed in their roles. By putting our People first, we can continue to grow together."

2021 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

  • Southwest Airlines Wins Elliott Advocacy 2021 Awards Reader's Choice Customer Service Award
    • Southwest Airlines is listed as the top domestic airline for outstanding customer support and service.
  • Southwest Named a Best Place to Work by Glassdoor
    • For the 12th consecutive year, Southwest ranked No. 21 on Glassdoor's Best Places to Work.
    • The carrier earned its recognition due to its outstanding work-life balance and benefits.
  • Southwest Airlines Named as One of MilitaryTimes Best for Vets: Employers 2021
    • According to MilitaryTimes, Southwest Airlines is the best employer for veterans and former military personnel in Texas. The criteria for the rankings are based on military-connected employment programs, benefits, and support systems.
  • Southwest Airlines Recognized As A 'Best Place To Work For Disability Inclusion'
    • The carrier was named a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" after achieving a top score on the 2021 Disability Equality Index® (DEI).
    • The Disability Equality Index is the world's most comprehensive benchmarking tool for the Fortune 1000 and America's top 200 revenue-grossing law firms (Am Law 200) to measure disability workplace inclusion.
  • Southwest Airlines Named A Best Place To Work For LGBTQ Equality For Seventh Consecutive Year
    • The Human Rights Campaign Foundation gave Southwest Airlines a 100 on the 2021 Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality.
  • Southwest Airlines' Gary C. Kelly Recognized as Top CEO on Glassdoor
    • Gary C. Kelly was recognized as a superb executive leader through Glassdoor's Employees' Choice Awards, honoring the Top CEOs in 2021.
  • Southwest Airlines Ranked No. 3 America's Most Trusted Travel & Hospitality Brands by Morning Consult
    • Morning Consult's data shows Southwest Airlines as one of the most trusted brands in the travel and hospitality industry.
  • Southwest Airlines Cargo Earns Top Honor From Airforwarders Association For The 12th Consecutive Year
    • The Airforwarders Association ranked Southwest Airlines at the top of its list for the airline's superior operational performance, service offerings, and overall value for air cargo Customers.
  • WalletHub Ranked Southwest Airlines No. 1 for Most Reliable Airline and No. 4 for Best Airline
    • Southwest Airlines was ranked by WalletHub based on key metrics, ranging from cancellation and delay rates to baggage mishaps and in-flight comfort.
  • Southwest Airlines Named Among Forbes' Best Employers In America
    • The Dallas-based carrier ranks among the top 100 companies in the Large Employer category for the sixth year.
  • Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Ranked Among Best Loyalty Programs in America
    • The carrier was named to Newsweek's list of America's Best Loyalty Programs 2021 for its Rapid RewardsTM program under the Low-Cost Airlines subcategory. 
    • "Our Rapid Rewards program is designed to create value, flexibility, and ease for our Members—rewarding them for their loyalty and for making everyday purchases," said Jonathan Clarkson, Vice President Marketing at Southwest Airlines. "Southwest Airlines is thrilled to be named to Newsweek's list for Best Loyalty Programs in America."

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