Inside Destination 225°: Southwest Airlines’ Pilot Recruitment Program

A look at how the low-cost airline is allowing people to let their dreams take flight.

Southwest Airlines' career program, Destination 225°, has helped aspiring pilots achieve their dreams. The program, launched in 2019, consists of four distinct pathways, catering to people who have no previous experience to those who have flown in the military.

The program's name comes from a compass rose, as 225° is the southwest heading. The Dallas-based airline said it is designed to create opportunities to take future aviators to the right seat of its Boeing 737 aircraft.

The four pathways in Destination 225° include Cadet, Employee, University, and Military. In a statement, Southwest explained how the program will benefit the airline.

“Today, we’re fortunate to attract top candidates to fill our Pilot positions at Southwest Airlines; however, we see a potential shortage ahead. [...] Destination 225° will help us reduce our dependency on the open market by creating opportunities for future pilots to be trained on how to fly and, specifically, how to fly the Southwest Way.”

The Cadet pathway is for those who do not have any previous experience as an airline pilot. The program lasts four to five years and is in partnership with CAE, a high technology company that provides training for civil aviation and defense industries. Southwest also partners with private jet companies XOJET Aviation and Jet Linx.

According to CAE, the Cadet pathway course is comprised of two phases. In the first phase, participants will learn the fundamentals of flight and complete approximately 165 hours of classroom and computer-based training. About 258 hours are then dedicated to single and multi-engine flight, aircraft, and simulator training. After the first phase, cadets will receive their commercial pilot license course with instrument rating on multi-engine.

In the second phase, around 100 hours consist of classroom training and 20 hours are aircraft training. Cadets also get their Certified Flight Instructor - FAA CFI(A) License and Certified Flight Instrument Instructor - FAA CFII(A) License. The Cadet pathway takes place in Phoenix, Arizona, and is very competitive, costing less than $100,000, according to Southwest.

Current Southwest employees can take advantage of the Employee pathway, which provides training through CAE and the US Aviation Academy.

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Collegiate aviators who attend the carrier's partner university or complete a Southwest Campus Reach Internship are lined up perfectly for the University pathway. The airline is working to collaborate with the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, and Arizona State University.

The Military pathway is designed to bridge the gap for active military pilots that have not met the minimums to begin a career as an airline pilot. The program can help participants develop skills and experience for fixed-wing airline operations if they have transitioned to a staff assignment or have experience as a rotor/powerlift military pilot.

Southwest offers the Military pathway thanks to a partnership with Bell Murray Aerospace, an FAA 142 Training Center. Since the pathway is designed to meet candidates at their level of experience, the cost will vary.

Those interested in applying can fill out an interest form on the carrier's careers website. There is no fee to apply for Destination 225°, but Southwest said candidates advancing through the selection process would be responsible for all costs incurred, such as obtaining a USDOT/FAA First-Class Medical Certificate, completing an aptitude assessment, and travel accommodations.

The airline also said that selected candidates must relocate for the program, possibly more than once, as each pathway has different requirements.

Source: CAE

An aviation geek at heart, Channing shares a similar interest in telling stories. His longtime passion for traveling and airplanes brings a unique approach to his reporting. Spending most of his career in local news, Channing is thrilled to finally combine both passions by joining the Simple Flying team. US West Coast-based.