Largest US LCC. B737-only operation with strong profit sharing.
Southwest Airlines, founded 1967, is the largest US LCC. Operating solely on B737 is its defining business model. Serving 107 US cities, it maintains top domestic passenger rankings.
No widebody aircraft means no long-haul international, but training/maintenance costs are minimized and profit-sharing directly benefits pilots. 2026 average captain salary exceeds $347,000 (~¥52M).
* Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks. Verify actual compensation with each airline's official recruitment information.
| Position | Salary Range | Avg / Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain Year 1 B737 |
$334,000/yr ($334/h) |
~¥50M | High from Day 1 |
| Captain Year 12 B737 (uniform) |
$364,000+/yr |
~¥55M | + Profit Sharing |
| First Officer Year 1 |
$133,000/yr |
~¥20M | |
| First Officer Year 12 |
$255,000/yr |
~¥38M | Domestic F/O |
💡 No widebody premium — seniority drives pay increases uniformly. Profit sharing (up to 15%) adds significant annual income. 2026 captain average $347,000 (~¥52M) before profit share.
107 US cities. Point-to-point model (no hub-and-spoke). Dallas (DAL), Chicago (MDW), Las Vegas (LAS), Denver (DEN) are main stations. High frequency, high utilization.
B737-700, B737-800, B737 MAX 7, B737 MAX 8
Only B737 operated — type training once, no aircraft changes ever. Maximally efficient.
State-of-the-art facility adjacent to Dallas HQ. Latest B737 simulators.
Seniority-based. No aircraft change needed. Typically 7–12 years to upgrade.
Short-haul, high-frequency flying builds high leg count and solid technical foundation.
Proficiency checks 1–2x per year.
Single type keeps retraining costs low — benefit for both company and pilots.
Up to 15% of company profits shared with all employees including pilots. Recent years: hundreds of thousands yen per pilot.
Company matching contributions. Key retirement vehicle.
Free tickets for self, family, and 2 designated companions. All Southwest routes.
Comprehensive family health insurance.
Income replacement for loss of license.
Domestic-only means no overseas stays. Popular for work-life balance.
Hiring status: Hiring
* US work authorization required. Slightly reduced hiring pace post-2025, but ongoing. Check official careers page.