Southwest Airlines Recognized As A 'Best Place To Work For Disability Inclusion'

DALLAS, July 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today was recognized for its continued commitment to 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 DEI 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 was founded on the principle of putting People first," said Julie Weber, Southwest Airlines' Vice President and Chief People Officer. "We believe in providing our Employees an inclusive and welcoming environment, valuing them for their unique skills, perspectives, and abilities they bring. By doing our best as an employer, we create an environment where our People can do their best."  

Globally, people with disabilities number over one billion, crossing lines of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and religion.

The DEI was launched in 2015 by Disability:IN^® and The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and is acknowledged today as the most robust disability inclusion assessment tool in business. In 2021, out of 319 participants, 191 companies received a score of 100; 58 companies received a score of 90, and 23 companies received a score of 80.

Southwest Airlines is proud to receive a score of 100 on the 2021 DEI and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace for its Employees. To learn more about career opportunities at Southwest, visit Southwest^® Careers.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO. 
In its 51^st year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 56,000 Employees to a Customer base that topped 130 million Passengers in 2019. Southwest has a robust network of point-to-point service with a strong presence across top leisure and business markets. In peak travel seasons during 2019, Southwest operated more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 101 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries. In 2020, the carrier added service to Hilo, Hawaii; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami; Palm Springs, Calif.; Steamboat Springs; and Montrose (Telluride), Colo. Thus far in 2021, Southwest has initiated service to Chicago (O'Hare) and Sarasota/Bradenton both on Feb. 14; Savannah/Hilton Head and Colorado Springs both on March 11; Houston (Bush) and Santa Barbara, Calif. both on April 12; Fresno, Calif. on April 25; Destin/Fort Walton Beach on May 6; Myrtle Beach, S.C. on May 23; Bozeman, Mont. on May 27; and Jackson, Miss. on June 6; and will begin service to Eugene, Ore. on Aug. 29; Bellingham, Wash. on Nov. 7; and Syracuse on Nov. 14.  

The carrier issued its Southwest® Promise in May 2020 to highlight new and round-the-clock efforts to support its Customers and Employees well-being and comfort. Among the changes are enhanced cleaning efforts at airports and onboard aircraft, along with a federal mandate requiring every person to wear a mask at all times throughout each flight. Additional details about the Southwest Promise are available at Southwest.com/Promise.     

Southwest coined Transfarency® to describe its purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and fairly, and low fares actually staying low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free^® to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some carriers offer free checked bags on select routes or in qualified circumstances). Southwest does not charge change fees, though fare differences might apply.   

Consistently ranked among the best Employers in the United States, Southwest focuses its effort on a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they service, and an overall commitment to the efficiency and the planet. Learn more about the carrier gives back to communities across the world by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.   

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA^®.   

ABOUT THE DISABILITY EQUALITY INDEX (DEI) 
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion."

The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation's largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (AAPD)
AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 50+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at www.aapd.com.

ABOUT DISABILITY:IN®
Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 270 corporations trust Disability:IN to activate and achieve disability inclusion across their enterprise and in the broader corporate mainstream. Through the world's most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking; best-in-class conferences and programs; and expert counsel and engagement, Disability:IN works with leading businesses to create long-term business and societal impact. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN.

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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.