<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2022-10-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000092380</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LUV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001949601</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Green Ryan C.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2702 LOVE FIELD DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>HDQ 4GC</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DALLAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75235</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Chief Commercial Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8802</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Holdings include 5,997 restricted stock units previously granted pursuant to the Southwest Airlines Co. Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, which will entitle the reporting person to one share of common stock for each restricted stock unit that vests.   The restricted stock units will vest as follows: 3,317 on February 21, 2023; 2,175 on February 21, 2024; and 505 on February 21, 2025.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Tim Whisler, on behalf of and as attorney-in-fact for Ryan C. Green</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2022-10-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
