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REPORTED · NEWSPublished Dec 28, 2025

Southwest Airlines Cuts 15% of Workforce to Improve Profitability

EMPLOYEES AFFECTED
15,000
SHARE OF WORKFORCE
~20%
EFFECTIVE DATE
Oct 1, 2023
15,000 OF 73,463 EMPLOYEES

What we know

Based on news reporting.

Summary

Southwest Airlines Co. has announced significant layoffs, cutting 15% of its workforce in an effort to restore profitability. This decision affects approximately 15,000 employees as the airline seeks to navigate financial challenges. The layoffs are part of a broader strategy to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. The company has faced various pressures, including rising operational costs and a competitive market environment. This move is expected to help stabilize the airline's financial position moving forward.

Southwest Airlines Co. cut 15,000 jobs as of October 1, 2023.

That is roughly 20.4% of the 73,463 people Southwest Airlines Co. employs.

LayoffTalk has tracked 23 layoff events at Southwest Airlines Co. since April 2023, affecting a combined 26,511 employees.

Comments (1)

Anonymous by default. Be kind — people reading this may be going through it right now.

LTLayoffTalk StaffStaff21 hours ago

Southwest Airlines Co. cut 15,000 jobs on October 1, 2023. What did this look like from the inside — which teams, how much notice, what severance was offered? You can post anonymously below.

SOURCE
News reporting
View original source ↗
S
Southwest Airlines Co.LUV
Industrials · 73,463 employees
23
EVENTS TRACKED
30K
AFFECTED SINCE 2023
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CREATED DEC 28, 2025LAST UPDATED DEC 28, 2025