Results of Operations

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):   January 28, 2026   SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Texas 1-7259 74-1563240 (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) P. O. Box 36611 Dallas, Texas 75235-1611 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: ( 214 ) 792-4000 Not Applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: ☐     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ☐     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ☐     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ☐     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock ($1.00 par value) LUV New York Stock Exchange Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2). Emerging growth company      ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     ☐ Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On January 28, 2026, the Registrant issued a press release (the "Earnings Press Release") announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025. The Earnings Press Release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.02. The information furnished in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits: 99.1 Registrant’s Earnings Release. 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.   SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.       January 28, 2026 By: /s/   Tom Doxey           Tom Doxey     Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer     (Principal Financial Officer)