Southwest Airlines flight attendant candidates in 2026 report two interviews: a self-filmed one-way video with three attempts per question, then a face-to-face at Dallas headquarters with an information session and an individual interview, not a group interview. The questions they remember are why Southwest, a time they went above and beyond for a customer, tell me about yourself, and Southwest’s core values. Ramp agents report a phone interview or information session and a one-on-one with STAR questions; customer service agents describe hiring events with on-the-spot drug tests and fingerprints.
Most 2026 hires describe the face-to-face as friendly and conversational. The complaints are long waits and, in one January 2026 report, inconsistent questions between interviewers.
Southwest Airlines interview rounds by role
| Role | Rounds reported | Glassdoor difficulty | Avg. days to hire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Attendant | Application, one-way video, Dallas face-to-face, screening | 2.7 / 5 | 148 |
| Ramp Agent | Phone or info session, one-on-one or virtual interview, drug test | 2.4 / 5 | 33 |
| Customer Service Agent | Hiring event or phone screen, one-on-one, drug test and fingerprints | 2.4 / 5 | 31 |
Flight attendant interview experiences (2026)
These are self-reported Glassdoor reviews. Each is one person’s account.
- Flight Attendant, Dallas, TX, June 2026 (accepted offer). Brief, quick and to the point; everyone was friendly. Advice: dress professionally and arrive early. Asked why they would want to be a Southwest flight attendant.
- Flight Attendant, Dallas, TX, July 2026 (accepted offer, four weeks). Had also interviewed with Delta and American and said Southwest’s in-person interview felt the most at ease, like talking to a friend. The first question was tell me about yourself.
- Flight Attendant, Chicago, IL, 2026 (no offer). Application, one-way video (ODVI), then the face-to-face. Emphasize safety and customer service and be comfortable on camera. Asked why Southwest, a time they went above and beyond, and what draws them to Southwest.
- Flight Attendant, Dallas, TX, May 2026 (accepted offer). Completed the on-demand interview and was scheduled for the face-to-face. Advice: smile and use the uninterrupted time to express yourself. Asked what part of Southwest culture they connect with most.
- Flight Attendant, Dallas, TX, February 2026 (no offer). Three retries per question on the one-way video. Heard about a month and a half later that Southwest was not moving forward. Asked about a time they gave great customer service.
- Flight Attendant, Dallas, TX, March 2026 (no offer, rated difficult). Waited over three months for the face-to-face. At headquarters, 50 or more candidates waited, heard a short overview of the role and pay, and were called back one by one.
- Flight Attendant, US, March 2026 (declined offer, employee referral). Clear communication throughout; be friendly and outgoing with everyone. The day took about five hours start to finish.
- Flight Attendant, Dallas, TX, February 2026 (no offer). Self-filmed video from home on an iPhone with good lighting, three attempts per question. Asked to describe a time they went above and beyond for a customer.
- Flight Attendant, Dallas, TX, January 2026 (no offer). Was grateful for the headquarters interview but said it felt tense and serious, not the warm conversation they expected, and that candidates got very different questions. Asked why they wanted to be a flight attendant and to name Southwest’s core values and the one they relate to most.
Ramp agent interview experiences
- Ramp Agent, US, August 2025 (accepted offer). Little or no airline experience and still hired. Several interviews over a fairly long process, but easy. Asked if they were OK with overtime.
- Ramp Agent, Denver, CO, May 2025 (declined offer). An information session laid out the job in detail before a one-on-one. Asked about physical ability, since it is a very physical job.
- Ramp Agent, Denver, CO, March 2025 (accepted offer, six weeks). A 15-minute application, a virtual interview, and an offer halfway through the interview. Asked why they wanted to work for Southwest.
- Ramp Agent, Phoenix, AZ, 2025 (accepted offer). STAR questions with STAR answers expected. Asked how they took leadership on an issue at work and whether they were willing to go through the six-month probation.
- Ramp Agent, Colorado Springs, CO, 2024 (accepted offer). A phone interview, about a week’s wait, an in-person interview, and an offer about a week later. Asked about past jobs and conflict with others.
Customer service agent interview experiences
- Customer Service Agent, Phoenix, AZ, 2024 (accepted offer). A casual meet-and-greet with HR staff at tables. If one representative liked you, you spoke to a second; with both approvals, candidates were drug tested and fingerprinted on the spot. Offer within ten days. Asked about their biggest weakness.
- Customer Service Agent, Fort Myers, FL, 2023 (accepted offer). Behavioral questions with STAR answers; know the company and have questions ready. Asked about going above and beyond for a customer.
- Customer Service Agent, Denver, CO (hiring event June 2023, declined offer). Plan about five hours. Questions on frustrated or yelling customers, coworker disagreements, how to address a coworker doing something wrong, and why Southwest.
- Customer Service Agent, Honolulu, HI (October 2022, declined offer). A group presentation that was frank about the hours, then a one-on-one. Asked whether they would accept mandatory last-minute overtime when a delayed flight runs past the end of a shift.
Common threads from candidates
- Why Southwest comes first. Have a specific, personal reason ready.
- Know the three values. At least one 2026 candidate was asked to name them.
- Be friendly to everyone. Hires repeat this about the Dallas day.
- Plan for a long wait. The Glassdoor average for flight attendants is 148 days.
Interview preparation by stage
- One-way video: good light, eye level camera, and use your three attempts. Keep each answer under two minutes.
- Dallas face-to-face: arrive early in professional clothes, plan for about five hours, and expect a recruiter and a current flight attendant in your individual interview.
- After an offer: start memorizing airport codes and Public Announcements before the four-week training.
- Ramp and agents: be ready for questions on physical work, overtime and the six-month probation.
The step list, requirements and pay are on the Southwest Airlines interview questions hub, and STAR answers are on the Southwest Airlines behavioral interview questions page.
Sources
- Glassdoor interview reports: Flight Attendant, Ramp Agent, Customer Service Agent
- Southwest Airlines careers: Flight Attendant Opportunities
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