Southwest Airlines Pilots Association
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) is a nonprofit labor union founded in 1978 that serves as the sole collective bargaining unit for more than 11,000 Southwest Airlines pilots, providing contract negotiation, grievance representation, government affairs advocacy, and member benefit programs across 13 U.S. crew bases.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersIrving, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Southwest Airlines Pilots Association does
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) is a nonprofit pilots' union founded in 1978 and headquartered in Irving, Texas, that serves as the sole collective bargaining unit for more than 11,000 Southwest Airlines pilots. Governed under the Railway Labor Act and led by a three-officer executive team with a 13-domicile board, SWAPA negotiates and administers labor contracts (ten contracts negotiated to date, with Contract 2020 ratified in January 2024), provides grievance and legal representation, runs government affairs advocacy, and operates member-benefit programs including the Dependent Scholarship Fund, Pilot Relief Fund, and Future of Aviation Scholarship.
SWAPA's core service portfolio is organized around five advocacy functions: collective bargaining, contract administration, grievance and legal representation, government affairs advocacy, and economic and financial analysis (including quarterly earnings analysis supporting negotiations). The technology footprint is limited to operational tools — a member-only web portal at swapa.org, an IT help desk, The SWAPA Number podcast, and social media channels. SWAPA does not develop proprietary technology products; AI/ML is not part of its offering.
Revenue is generated entirely through recurring pilot membership dues and voluntary pilot contributions (e.g., $2/month for the Dependent Scholarship Fund). The organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity with no parent company, external equity, or venture backing. Member services are distributed directly to pilots across 13 crew bases (ATL, AUS, BNA, BWI, DAL, DEN, HOU, LAS, LAX, MCO, MDW, OAK, PHX) through the member portal, phone support, and in-person representation.
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Southwest Airlines Pilots Association
- Legal name
- Southwest Airlines Pilots Association
- Website
- https://swapa.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) is a nonprofit labor union founded in 1978 that serves as the sole collective bargaining unit for more than 11,000 Southwest Airlines pilots, providing contract negotiation, grievance representation, government affairs advocacy, and member benefit programs across 13 U.S. crew bases.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Southwest Airlines Pilots Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Irving
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Pilot Membership Dues: SWAPA is funded through voluntary pilot-supported plans including membership dues from Southwest Airlines pilots. The association also sustains programs like the Dependent Scholarship Fund through pilot donations ($2 per month contribution).
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SWAPA serves as the sole statutory bargaining unit for more than 11,000 Southwest Airlines pilots, negotiating and administering labor contracts (most recently Contract 2020 ratified January 2024), providing grievance and legal representation, government affairs advocacy, aeromedical and critical incident response services, and member benefit programs including the SWAPA Dependent Scholarship Fund, SWAPA Pilot Relief Fund, and Future of Aviation Scholarship Program.
Product overview
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) is a labor union that serves as the sole bargaining unit for over 11,000 Southwest Airlines pilots. SWAPA is not a technology product company but rather provides a suite of member services including collective bargaining, contract administration, grievance and legal representation, government affairs advocacy, and economic/financial analysis. The organization also operates member benefit programs including the Dependent Scholarship Fund (up to $7,000/year for pilot dependents), the Pilot Relief Fund (emergency grants of $500-$4,000), and the Future of Aviation Scholarship Program. Communication channels include the SWAPA Number Podcasts and member-only web portal with login functionality. SWAPA is governed by three executive officers and a Board of Directors with representatives from 13 pilot domiciles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Collective Bargaining Services Negotiation of labor contracts between SWAPA and Southwest Airlines on behalf of more than 11,000 pilots. Includes preparation, bargaining sessions, and ratification of agreements covering compensation, benefits, and working conditions.
- Contract Administration Ongoing management, interpretation, and enforcement of the pilot labor contract to ensure compliance and fair implementation for Southwest Airlines pilots.
- Grievance and Legal Representation Legal and disciplinary representation for Southwest Airlines pilots, including grievance assistance for alleged contract violations and workplace disputes, plus General Counsel support.
- SWAPA Dependent Scholarship Fund Voluntary pilot-funded scholarship program supporting higher education of dependents of deceased or disabled Southwest Airlines pilots, offering awards up to $7,000 per school year. Since inception, more than 400 dependents have received funding.
- SWAPA Pilot Relief Fund Emergency financial assistance program for active SWAPA members facing sudden disasters or personal/financial hardship, with grants ranging from $500 to $4,000.
- Future of Aviation Scholarship Program Scholarship program created with Herb Kelleher to assist aspiring aviators in completing flight training and achieving pilot ratings.
Quantifiable outcome
- Negotiated Contract 2020 with largest raise for pilots in SWAPA history along with benefits and retirement improvements
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Southwest Airlines Pilots Association
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Modern Skies CoalitioncoreSWAPA is a member of the Modern Skies Coalition, a broad coalition of aviation stakeholders advocating for FAA funding, ATC modernization, aviation safety, and protection from government shutdowns. The coalition includes airlines, general aviation, airports, labor, and manufacturers working together on industry policy.
- DFW Pilots for KidsminorSWAPA supports DFW Pilots for Kids as part of its charitable activities
- K9s for WarriorsminorSWAPA supports K9s for Warriors as part of its charitable activities
- Stripes to BarsminorSWAPA supports Stripes to Bars as part of its charitable activities
- Emergency Assistance Foundation, Inc.coreThe Emergency Assistance Foundation administers the SWAPA Pilot Relief Fund, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization providing grants of $500 to $4,000 to SWAPA members facing financial hardship. Review and selection process is administered by EAF.
- Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA)minorSWAPA is connected to ALPA through industry labor coalitions. American Airlines pilots' APA Board has directed APA-ALPA merger negotiation committee to restart negotiations with ALPA.
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)coreAOPA is a member of the Modern Skies Coalition representing all sectors of the aviation industry including airlines, general aviation, airports, labor and manufacturers.
- National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)coreNBAA is a member of the Modern Skies Coalition advocating for ATC modernization and aviation safety initiatives.
- Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA)coreAFA-CWA is a member of the Modern Skies Coalition working with aviation industry stakeholders on safety and modernization issues.
- Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)minorAUVSI is a member of the Modern Skies Coalition advocating for low altitude airspace awareness and digital infrastructure investments.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association social profiles
Digital presenceSouthwest Airlines Pilots Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Southwest Airlines Pilots Association
What does Southwest Airlines Pilots Association do?
SWAPA serves as the sole statutory bargaining unit for more than 11,000 Southwest Airlines pilots, negotiating and administering labor contracts (most recently Contract 2020 ratified January 2024), providing grievance and legal representation, government affairs advocacy, aeromedical and critical incident response services, and member benefit programs including the SWAPA Dependent Scholarship Fund, SWAPA Pilot Relief Fund, and Future of Aviation Scholarship Program.
Is Southwest Airlines Pilots Association a public or private company?
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Southwest Airlines Pilots Association founded?
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association was founded in 1978. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Southwest Airlines Pilots Association based?
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association is headquartered in Irving, United States, in the North America region.
How does Southwest Airlines Pilots Association make money?
One revenue line is on record: pilot Membership Dues.
Does Southwest Airlines Pilots Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for Southwest Airlines Pilots Association.