Southwest CEO Announces Workforce Reduction

DALLAS — In a message to Southwest Airlines (WN) employees, President and CEO Bob Jordan outlined the airline’s plan to streamline operations as part of a three-year business transformation. 

He emphasized the need to reduce overhead, eliminate duplicative efforts, and build a lean organizational structure that can improve clarity, efficiency, and pace. According to Jordan, the decision includes workforce reductions, primarily in Corporate and Leadership roles. The layoff account for 15% of corporate jobs, around 1,750 positions.

Furthermore, the main Headquarters building, located at 2702 Love Field Drive in Dallas, Texas, and often referred to as HDQ or HDK, will be closed at 6 p.m. local time. Non-contract employees—those needed for ongoing operations—will be relocated.

These employees will be informed by tomorrow morning whether they remain employed or if their positions are affected, the latter remaining at the Company until April 2025.

Southwest plans to offer severance packages, extended benefits, and outplacement resources to help those whose roles are impacted by the transition. 

Jordan acknowledged the personal toll this decision will have on airline teams and reaffirmed WN's commitment to treating people with care and respect.

This is the first time the airline has implemented mass layoffs in its 53-year history, estimating the move's "partial year 2025 savings to be approximately $210 million and full-year 2026 savings to be approximately $300 million."

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