Our Corporate Commitment to Supplier Diversity
At Southwest Airlines®, we are a Company of People. People are, and always have been, the Heartbeat of Southwest®, and we work to advance and protect the things that are important in their lives. We are committed to fostering an environment that moves us forward, as well as recognizes and values the collaboration of diverse thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences. All of this strengthens our relationships with our Customers, communities, and Suppliers to help us achieve our goals to be the most loved, most efficient, and most profitable airline in the world.
"We value our small and diverse Suppliers that help fulfill our operational needs, stimulate economic growth in the communities we serve, and satisfy the expectations of our Stakeholders. By building processes and practices to make meaningful change, we will effectively continue to cultivate a diverse and inclusive experience for our Suppliers to thrive. As history has shown, no matter the role at Southwest, when we work together, there is nothing we can't accomplish. "
- Bob Jordan, Chief Executive Officer, Southwest Airlines
Supplier Diversity
Supplier Diversity enables Southwest to extend opportunities to qualified diverse Suppliers who in turn can help us fulfill our operational needs and satisfy the expectations of our Shareholders and Customers, as well as meet competitive business challenges. Supplier Diversity is comprised of two programs: Small Business Program and Diverse Business Program.
Southwest Airlines strives to include diverse Suppliers in all our procurement efforts. We partner with:
- Minority Business Enterprises (MBE)
- Women Business Enterprises (WBE)
- Veteran Business Enterprises (VBE)
- Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (SDVBE)
- Small Business Enterprises (SBE)
- Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (SDBE)
- Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (DOBE)
- Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and/or Transgender Business Enterprises (LGBT)
For more information about our DEI efforts, be sure to check out the Southwest Airlines Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Report, a companion piece to the One Report.
Our Prospective Supplier Process
We encourage all Suppliers (existing and potential) to register in STARS, our online Supplier portal, to accurately classify themselves as large, small, or diverse. By registering, this ensures visibility to our category managers. Utilize this resource from the SBA to determine if your business is small or diverse: Small and Diverse Business Classifications.
Register and provide your company’s information via our online Supplier portal, STARS.
The following information is required when registering in the STARS portal*:
- Legal company name
- Doing business as (DBA) information
- Tax ID or equivalent for country if not U.S.-based
- Primary & Secondary NAICS Codes
- Five years of sales/revenue information
- Average number of full-time employees
- If certified diverse: a copy of the valid certification(s) to upload
You will receive an email confirmation upon successful completion (submission) of your STARS profile. Remember, it’s the company’s responsibility to keep its company profile in a submitted status and any certifications or documentation current in STARS.
*Supplier registration is not a guarantee of business.General and Technical Support
For technical questions regarding the STARS portal, email STARS Technical Support support@starssmp.com or call (877) 557-5258.
For non-technical questions related to Southwest Airlines Supply Chain, email Procurement@wnco.com.
For inquiries regarding Supplier Diversity, email Supplier.Diversity@wnco.com.
Certifying Agencies and Organizations
Southwest partners with the certifying agencies and organizations in support of the growth and development of small and diverse owned businesses.
Supplier Diversity seeks diverse Suppliers who have been certified by, but not limited to, our partner organizations, including federal, state, and local agencies.
The Southwest Airlines One Report
Explore our annual corporate social responsibility report, the Southwest Airlines One Report. This integrated citizenship report covers significant social, economic, and environmental stories, as well as data tables, and reporting frameworks, all through the lens of corporate Citizenship. Our disclosures are informed by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
