Southwest
Southwest Airlines Co., commonly known as Southwest, is a leading American low-cost airline headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1967, the airline has grown to become a major player in the aviation industry, primarily serving domestic routes across the United States, with a focus on providing affordable travel options. Renowned for its unique business model, Southwest operates a point-to-point transit system, which allows for greater flexibility and efficiency. The airline's core services include scheduled passenger flights, with a commitment to no hidden fees and a generous baggage policy, setting it apart from competitors. With a strong market position, Southwest has consistently ranked among the top airlines for customer satisfaction and operational performance, making it a preferred choice for millions of travellers each year.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Southwest's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Industry Average
Mean score of companies in the Air Transport industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Industry Benchmark
Southwest's score of 20 is higher than 85% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Southwest's reported carbon emissions
In 2023, Southwest Airlines reported total carbon emissions of approximately 24,873,759,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes Scope 1 emissions of about 20,670,103,000 kg CO2e, primarily from mobile combustion, and Scope 2 emissions of approximately 35,822,000 kg CO2e. Additionally, Scope 3 emissions accounted for around 4,168,656,000 kg CO2e, which includes categories such as capital goods and employee commute. Over the years, Southwest has demonstrated a commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. For instance, emissions per available seat mile (ASM) have decreased from 299.0 grams CO2e in 2015 to 182.0 grams CO2e in 2017, showcasing a significant improvement in operational efficiency. However, there are currently no specific reduction targets or climate pledges disclosed by the airline. Overall, while Southwest Airlines has made strides in emissions intensity reduction, further commitments and targets would enhance its climate strategy in the aviation sector.
Unlock detailed emissions data
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
Add to project| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 20,029,020,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 44,783,000 | - | - | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 153,621,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
Industry emissions intensity
Location emissions intensity
Reduction initiatives & disclosure networks
Companies disclose and commit to reducing emissions to show they are serious about reducing emissions impact over time. They can also help a company track its progress over time.
Southwest is not committed to any reduction initiatives we track. This may change over time as the company engages with new initiatives or updates its commitments. DitchCarbon will update this information as it becomes available.
