Interview questions›Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines interview questions

217 verified questions reported by candidates across 1 role at Southwest Airlines. Each one is archetype-tagged so you can see the pattern, slot the right STAR story, and practice out loud against an AI interviewer.

The Southwest Airlines process: Based on recent applicant reports, Southwest's typical hiring timeline progresses as follows: Application submission to "next steps" email (pre-employment tasks) occurs within 1-3 days for selected candidates, while others may wait weeks or receive TBNT during mass rejection emails sent when new hiring windows open. After receiving next steps, candidates should submit required documents (letters of recommendation, background info) immediately, as the portal has tight submission windows; interview invites follow within 1-2 days of task completion. Interviews to Conditional Job Offer (CJO) typically occur within 2-4 days, with some same-day offers reported. CJO to class start averages 13 days to 90 days depending on the hiring window. Rejected candidates (TBNT) can reapply when the next hiring window opens, typically 3+ days after the previous window closes, with some applicants successfully advancing on subsequent attempts.
Practice these questions out loud →Full Southwest Airlines prep guide

8 questions, grouped by role

Top 8 per role by quality score. For the full list per role, follow the role link in each section heading.

Commercial Pilot

All Commercial Pilot questions →
  1. 1
    How would you handle a pre-flight maintenance discrepancy that's not documented, with a full passenger load and a recommended 45-minute resolution time?
    onsite
  2. 2
    Describe the emergency procedures you would follow if an aircraft experiences engine failure at 2,000-3,000 feet above ground level.
    onsite
  3. 3
    Describe a situation where communication ambiguity with a co-pilot potentially compromised flight safety during an ATC clearance.
    onsite
  4. 4
    Describe the key safety protocols you would follow when handling hazardous materials or dangerous goods on an airport ramp.
  5. 5
    Describe how you would handle conflicting operational pressures during a potentially hazardous approach with windshear warnings present.
    onsite
  6. 6
    Walk me through your thought process on a passenger medical diversion scenario with destination and alternate at minimums.
    role specific aviation·panel
  7. 7
    SBQ was non convection over destination, you had plenty of fuel, and an experienced FO. Pax got sick in the back. What do you do?
    role specific aviation·onsite
  8. 8
    How would you handle a situation where ground crew is preparing for a quick aircraft turn but critical weight and balance documentation is incomplete?
    onsite

Common questions

How many interview questions does Southwest Airlines actually ask in a typical loop?

It varies by role and round. A phone screen is usually 5–8 questions, on-site loops 15–25 across multiple interviewers. The full Southwest Airlines loop tends to surface 30+ distinct prompt patterns across the rounds, which is what we've banked here.

Are these Southwest Airlines interview questions actually asked?

Yes — every question on this page is verified, meaning at least one candidate reported being asked it in a real Southwest Airlines interview. We don't pad the list with generic prompts that weren't reported.

What's the best way to prepare for a Southwest Airlines interview?

Pick the role section most relevant to your interview, run three to five questions through the practice tool out loud, and read the per-answer scoring. Most candidates who land an offer report 8–15 practice sessions over two weeks before the interview.