Summer 2027 Flight Operations Safety & Compliance Internship

Southwest Airlines Co.; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel privileges

Laptop provided

Stipends may be offered

Job summary

Southwest Airlines Co. invites applications for the Summer 2027 Flight Operations Safety & Compliance Internship in Dallas, TX. You will work on cross-team projects supporting Flight Ops, safety compliance, and procedures development, with a focus on hands-on experience in documentation and data analysis.

The internship runs 12 weeks (May 18–August 8, 2027) with a pay of $21–$24 per hour, possible stipends, and equipment provided. You’ll be onsite at the Dallas headquarters and must be a U.S.

Qualifications

• Enrolled full-time student; minimum 2.5 GPA required.
• Pursuing degree in Safety Management Systems, aviation, or related fields.
• Strong data analysis, writing, and research skills.
• Ability to work 40 hours per week during internship period.

Responsibilities

• Assist day-to-day administration and records management.
• Document and format processes for Flight Safety Programs.
• Support compliance monitoring and procedural development.
• Coordinate research and data analysis for safety issues.
• Help develop safety promotions and training for pilots.

Skills

Data analysis

Technical writing

Research

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Progress toward SMS/aviation degree

Enrollment as full-time student

Minimum 2.5 GPA

Pursuing Professional Pilot/Aviation mgmt

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Data analysis tools

Job description

Department:

Flight Operations

Our Company Promise

We are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer.

Job Description

Summer 2027 Flight Operations Safety & Compliance Internship

The Southwest Airlines' Flight Operations Safety & Compliance Intern will work on projects across several Teams that support our Employees, Customers, communities, and business. If hired, Interns may be selected to support one of the following Teams:

• Flight Ops Compliance Ops & Procedures Intern: The Flight Ops Compliance Ops & Procedures Intern will support the Flight Operations team in ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, company policies, and operational standards. This role provides hands-on experience in compliance monitoring, procedural development, operational documentation, and the review and development of procedures and guidance supporting Southwest Flight Crews.
• Flight Safety Intern: The Flight Safety Intern will work across all Flight Safety Teams to assist in the creation and distribution of information from Flight Safety to Southwest Flight Crews, Flight Training and Leadership. In this role, Interns will use their Safety background, love of aviation, and analytical skills to see change happen.

Additional Details

• Join Southwest as a Summer 2027 Intern, with a 12-week internship lasting from May 18 - August 8, 2027.
• Pay of $21-$24 per hour, corresponding with progress toward degree.
• Stipends may be offered based on eligibility and program criteria.
• The culture of Southwest Airlines means we value the camaraderie, collaboration, and innovation that occurs when we come together and interact face-to-face at our vibrant Corporate Campus. Due to the nature of this role, you would be required to work from our Dallas, TX headquarters facility during business hours (2702 Love Field Drive).
• Dedicate 40 hours each week (maximum of 8 hours per day) to your internship responsibilities and tasks.
• Receive free, unlimited space available travel privileges for yourself (taxes and fees may apply on international travel).
• Interns will be provided any required equipment, such as a laptop, for the internship.
• U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.

We're committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assisting with day-to-day administration.
• Management of personnel records.
• Implementing documents into various platforms.
• Help document and format processes.
• Assist in compliance monitoring, procedural development, and operational documentation.
• Building and fostering relationships with all Flight Safety Programs, Flight Operations Teams and other Southwest Airlines Safety Programs.
• Coordinating research and data analysis for Safety issues.
• Developing Safety Promotion, communication and training for the Pilot group pertaining to Safety related topics.
• Coordinating the analysis of data from internal and external databases (e.g., NASA, MITRE, ASIAS, ATSAP) for common reporting of incidents.
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skilled in data analysis, database tools, and report preparation.
• Strong technical writing, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Skilled in research and data collection for operational improvements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other productivity tools.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and from a limited-space workstation for extended periods.
• Knowledge of commercial airline operations and Flight Operations philosophies and procedures.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and efficiency
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Interest in aviation operations, including shipping and receiving logistics.

Education

• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent education required.
• Progress toward a degree, major, or minor in Safety Management Systems (SMS), Professional Pilot, Commercial Aviation, Human Factors, Engineering, Aviation Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management or similar degree required.
• Progress towards a 4-year undergraduate degree preferred.
• To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled as a full-time student (as defined by youruniversity) at the time of application and during the internship.
• At least 3 semesters remaining at the time the internship ends is preferred.
• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of application.

Basic Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• You must have a valid U.S. Social Security Number to complete the full hiring process.

Experience

• Preferred: Familiarity with Human Factors and Crew Resource Management (CRM) concepts.
• Preferred: Knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS.)
• Preferred: Experience with aviation compliance or operational documentation processes.
• Preferred: Current or prior flight training or practical flight operations experience.
• Preferred: FAA pilot certificate or meaningful progress toward an FAA pilot certificate.
• Preferred: Familiarity with aircraft operating procedures, flight operations manuals, FAA regulations, and FAA guidance.
• Preferred: Experience reviewing, interpreting, or developing technical or operational documentation.
• Preferred: Advanced progress toward a Professional Pilot, Commercial Aviation, Aviation Management, or similar aviation-focused degree.

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.