Major US Airline to Launch New Texas Crew Base, Driving 2026 Pilot Hiring

Texas, USA – Southwest Airlines, a major US low-cost carrier, has announced plans to open a new crew base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in March 2026, marking a significant expansion of its pilot and cabin crew footprint in Central Texas.

• The Austin crew base is expected to open with approximately 335 pilots and 650 flight attendants, before scaling to around 2,000 employees by mid-2027.

• The majority of roles will include captains, first officers, and flight attendants, supported by leadership, operational, and administrative teams.

• Southwest stated that the decision followed months of planning and coordination with Austin city officials and Texas economic development leaders, reflecting the airline’s long-term commitment to growth and operational efficiency in the region.

• The airline also plans to strengthen partnerships with local workforce development programmes and Austin-Bergstrom’s airport career centre, supporting recruitment, onboarding, and training pipelines.

Source: Southwest Airlines