OREANDA-NEWS. Southwest Airlines® (NYSE: LUV) announced today that the airline ranked as the top airline employer, and one of the top 20 best employers overall, according to Forbes' inaugural list of America's Best Employers for 2015. Southwest was in the top 20, coming in at #18 out of 500 companies to make the list.

"I am honored to share this recognition with all of our People at Southwest," said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.  "We're so fortunate to have Employees who consider their work a calling. This is a testament to them, and their passion for our common purpose—to connect People to what's important in their lives.   Our People are an inspiration, and it's a blessing and a joy to be part of the Southwest Airlines Family."

Forbes and Statista.com created the list through an online survey distributed to 20,000 workers in the United States. The survey asked employees how likely they would be to recommend their employer, and other employers in their industry, to someone else. The respondents mirrored the gender, age, region, educational level, and ethnicity of the overall U.S. workforce. The responses were compiled to rank the 500 employers represented in the list of America's Best Employers, including Southwest Airlines.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 44th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest operates more than 3,400 flights a day, serving 94 destinations across the United States and six additional countries.  Southwest service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, begins in June 2015; and subject to government approvals, service to Belize City, Belize begins in October 2015.

Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate connectivity while over the United States.  That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to access streaming music provided by Beats Music or to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of our valued Partners.  Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free® (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply), and there are never reservation change fees, although fare differences might apply. In 2014, the airline proudly unveiled a bold new look:  Heart.  The new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what's important in their lives.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new markets.  With 42 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet.