SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

                                                  Deborah Ackerman
                                                  Associate General Counsel

                                                  P.O. Box 36611
                                                  Dallas, Texas  75235-1611
                                                  (214) 792-4665
                                                  Facsimile:  (214) 792-6200

                                                                   Exhibit 5
January 12, 2001


Southwest Airlines Co.
P.O. Box 36611
Dallas, TX 75235

Dear Sirs:

     I have represented Southwest Airlines Co., a Texas corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the registration with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933
of the shares of the common stock, $1 par value of the Company
("Common Stock") to be issued by the Company from time to time upon
the exercise of stock options pursuant to the Southwest Airlines Co.
2000 Flight Simulator Technicians Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan
(the "Plan").

     In this connection, I have examined originals, or copies
certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such
documents, corporate and other records, certificates and other
papers as I deemed it necessary to examine for the purpose of this
opinion, including the Registration Statement of the Company for the
registration of the Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Plan
on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Registration
Statement").

     Based on such examination, it is my opinion that the shares of
Common Stock registered under the Registration Statement when issued
pursuant to the terms of the Plan will, upon the payment of the
consideration therefor required by the terms of the Plan, be validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     I consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.  In giving this consent, I do not thereby
admit that I am within the category of persons whose consent is
required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or the rules and regulation thereunder.

Sincerely,

/s/ Deborah Ackerman

Deborah Ackerman

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