EXHIBIT 23.1



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectuses of Southwest Airlines
Co. for the registration of $1,000,000,000 of Debt Securities and Pass Through
Certificates and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
January 16, 2002, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Southwest Airlines Co. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year
ended December 31, 2001, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                    /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



Dallas, Texas
October 25, 2002