Southwest Airlines scores 21/100 (Significant gaps) on SINK's independent climate assessment — scored from public data only, no company payment can change a number. Last verified May 2026.
That places Southwest Airlines joint 764th of 809 companies scored, and joint 18th of 23 in Airlines / Aviation.
Southwest's sustainability record is fundamentally weak. Absolute emissions are rising despite intensity-based targets. The airline has gutted its sustainability team and sold its renewable fuel subsidiary under activist pressure in 2025, signaling a retreat from climate commitments. Scope 3 coverage is limited, SAF adoption negligible, and net zero excludes most supply chain emissions.
Every supplier scored from public evidence like this, ranked, in 48 hours. No questionnaires, and your suppliers never know.
This score uses public evidence only. Challenge any question for free, or ask for a human review of evidence you haven't published.
Same ten questions for every company. No private weighting.
SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleStrongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain (6/10, 5/10). Weakest on Emissions Trajectory and Energy Source (0/10, 1/10).
14 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.
8 of 14 sources are third-party verified or public record.
If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.
Where Southwest Airlines sits among airlines / aviation peers.
Among the 23 major airlines / aviation brands we've scored, Southwest Airlines is tied =18th of 23, with 2 others.
Southwest Airlines's score has moved from 23 to 21 across 2 recorded reviews — down 2 points.
Re-classified Aerospace[38] -> Airlines / Aviation[28]; score 23->21
Initial score at platform launch
This score is not currently being contested.
Every challenge is published. We'd rather be corrected than wrong — that's the whole point.
No challenges submitted yet. If you have evidence that contradicts this score, you can challenge any question above — cite a public source and we'll review it.
Southwest Airlines is a major US low-cost carrier founded in 1976, headquartered in Dallas. Operating 59,793 employees and generating $23.8 billion in annual revenue (FY2022), it ranks among the largest domestic US airlines. The company operates a point-to-point network focused on short-haul domestic routes across North America.
Competitor with SBTi commitment and stronger near-term climate targets despite similar operational challenges
View breakdown →Peer airline with more ambitious SAF uptake goals and science-based target alignment
View breakdown →Low-cost carrier with similarly weak absolute emissions trajectory and minimal SAF investment
View breakdown →European budget airline comparable in scale with stronger renewable energy and electrification commitments
View breakdown →Email alerts when a rubric question is verified, a challenge is resolved, or the overall score changes.
One email, every Sunday. Score changes, new research, the stories behind the numbers. Free.
No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.
Checking a company?
Search free →Checking your suppliers?
Get your list scored in 48 hours →Been scored?
See what's behind your number →Nobody can pay us to change a number.