Southwest Airlines adds $500M secured term loan
Southwest Airlines Co. entered a new $500 million senior secured term loan credit facility that was fully drawn on March 11, 2026.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Southwest Airlines Co. entered a new $500 million senior secured term loan credit facility that was fully drawn on March 11, 2026. The term loan matures on March 11, 2029 and can be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty, though amounts repaid cannot be reborrowed.
The facility carries interest based on Term SOFR plus 1.10% per year or an Alternate Base Rate plus 0.10% per year, each with stated floors. It is secured by a pool of aircraft and related assets, with a required minimum collateral coverage ratio and flexibility to adjust the collateral pool, and it sits alongside an existing revolving credit facility that was not amended.
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Insights
Southwest adds $500M secured term debt with flexible prepayment.
Southwest Airlines has taken on a $500 million senior secured term loan maturing in 2029, fully drawn at closing. The loan is collateralized by specific aircraft and related assets, with a minimum collateral coverage ratio and the ability to adjust the collateral pool.
Interest is floating, based on either Term SOFR plus 1.10% or an Alternate Base Rate plus 0.10%, subject to specified floors, so overall cost will move with short‑term rates. An uncommitted incremental feature of up to an additional $500 million gives the company optional capacity for more term borrowing, while the existing revolving credit facility remains unchanged.
8-K Event Classification
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What new credit facility did Southwest Airlines (LUV) enter into?
When does Southwest Airlines’ new $500 million term loan mature?
What interest rates apply to Southwest Airlines’ new term loan?
How is Southwest Airlines’ new $500 million term loan secured?
Does the new term loan affect Southwest Airlines’ existing revolving credit facility?
Can Southwest Airlines increase the size of its term loan facility?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
The information included pursuant to Item 2.03 is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
On March 11, 2026, Southwest Airlines Co. (the “Company”) entered into a new term loan credit agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) with BNP Paribas, as administrative and collateral agent (the “Agent”) and as the initial lender (together with any additional lenders from time to time, the “Lenders”), providing for a $500 million dollar senior secured term loan credit facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) that was drawn in full on the closing date. The Term Loan Facility matures in full on March 11, 2029, and the Company has the right at any time to prepay the loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, upon at least three business days’ prior written notice to the Agent. Amounts prepaid under the Term Loan Credit Agreement may not be reborrowed. Additionally, the Term Loan Facility includes an uncommitted incremental term loan feature allowing up to $500 million in incremental term loan commitments to be established from time to time in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Term Loan Credit Agreement. The Term Loan Facility is secured by a grant of a security interest in certain aircraft and related assets.
As of the date hereof, there is $500 million of principal outstanding under the Term Loan Facility. Generally, amounts outstanding under the Term Loan Facility bear interest at interest rates based on either the Term SOFR (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) for designated interest periods selected by the Company or the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement), plus an applicable margin of 1.10% per annum, in the case of loans based on Term SOFR, and 0.10% per annum, in the case of loans based on the Alternate Base Rate. The underlying Term SOFR is subject to a floor of 0.00% per annum and the Alternate Base Rate is subject to a floor of 1.00% per annum.
The Term Loan Facility contains customary representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default. The Term Loan Facility is secured by a certain pool of aircraft and related assets with a minimum collateral coverage ratio requirement. The Company is permitted to supplement, replace or remove assets included in the collateral pool, subject to certain conditions including satisfaction of the collateral coverage ratio. The Company may also request the release of liens on collateral pool assets, provided that the collateral coverage ratio is satisfied through remaining collateral, loan prepayment, and/or the addition of replacement collateral. Amounts outstanding under the Term Loan Facility may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default. The Company’s existing revolving credit facility was not amended in connection with the entry into the Term Loan Credit Agreement.
The description of the Term Loan Credit Agreement in this Item 2.03 is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Term Loan Credit Agreement, a copy of which will be filed with the Company’s Quarterly Report for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2026.
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. | ||||||
March 11, 2026 |
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By: |
/s/ Tom Doxey | |||
Tom Doxey | ||||||
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | ||||||