STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS

Published on October 30, 2002

EXHIBIT 12

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




Nine Months
Ended September 30, Year Ended December 31,
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2002 2001 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
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Earnings
Income before income taxes and
cumulative effect of accounting
changes $ 328.7 $ 729.8 $ 827.7 $ 1,017.4 $ 773.6 $ 705.1 $ 517.0
Add: Fixed charges 187.4 149.0 205.0 199.2 185.3 190.0 198.5
Less: Interest capitalized 12.8 17.9 20.6 27.6 31.2 25.6 19.8
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Total $ 503.3 $ 860.9 $ 1,012.1 $ 1,189.0 $ 927.7 $ 869.5 $ 695.7
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Fixed charges
Interest expense $ 66.8 $ 29.8 $ 49.2 $ 42.3 $ 22.9 $ 30.7 $ 43.7
Add: Interest capitalized 12.8 17.9 20.6 27.6 31.2 25.6 19.8
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Gross interest expense 79.6 47.7 69.8 69.9 54.1 56.3 63.5
Add: Interest factor of operating
lease expense 107.8 101.3 135.2 129.3 131.2 133.7 135.0
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Total $ 187.4 $ 149.0 $ 205.0 $ 199.2 $ 185.3 $ 190.0 $ 198.5
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.69 5.78 4.94 5.97 5.01 4.58 3.50
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