COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Published on October 11, 2001



Exhibit 12


SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIOS)




Six Months
Ended June 30, Year Ended December 31,
---------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------
2001 2000 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

Earnings
Income before income taxes and
cumulative effect of accounting
changes $ 483.9 $ 466.8 $ 1,017.4 $ 773.6 $ 705.1 $ 517.0 $ 341.4
Add: Fixed charges 99.1 99.4 199.2 185.3 190.0 198.5 184.1
Less: Interest capitalized 11.8 13.9 27.6 31.2 25.6 19.8 22.3
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total $ 571.2 $ 552.3 $ 1,189.0 $ 927.7 $ 869.5 $ 695.7 $ 503.2
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Fixed charges
Interest expense $ 21.6 $ 20.8 $ 42.3 $ 22.9 $ 30.7 $ 43.7 $ 37.0
Add: Interest capitalized 11.8 13.9 27.6 31.2 25.6 19.8 22.3
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Gross interest expense 33.4 34.7 69.9 54.1 56.3 63.5 59.3
Add: Interest factor of operating
lease expense 65.6 64.7 129.3 131.2 133.7 135.0 124.8
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total $ 99.0 $ 99.4 $ 199.2 $ 185.3 $ 190.0 $ 198.5 $ 184.1
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 5.77 5.56 5.97 5.01 4.58 3.50 2.73
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