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Southwest Airlines vs United Airlines

On overall TruNorth grade, Southwest Airlines scores higher (Southwest Airlines: B, United Airlines: D). Both graded from public records across nine values categories.

B
Southwest Airlines
56.9/100
D
United Airlines
43.8/100

Political donations

Southwest Airlines

FEC: $15K PAC donations; 72% to Republican, 28% to Democratic committees.

United Airlines

FEC: $37K PAC donations; 32% to Republican, 68% to Democratic committees.

Environment

Southwest Airlines

JUST Capital JUST 100 — ranked #66 of Russell 1000 (2025) for treatment of workers, customers, communities, environment.

United Airlines

CDP Climate Change: B (2024) — management-band disclosure; discloses emissions data but limited target ambition.

Labor

Southwest Airlines

318 federal penalties totaling $262.9M since 2000 (Violation Tracker).

United Airlines

567 federal penalties totaling $210.7M since 2000 (Violation Tracker).

DEI

Southwest Airlines

JUST Capital JUST 100 — ranked #66 of Russell 1000 (2025) for treatment of workers, customers, communities, environment. HRC Corporate Equality Index 100/100 (2025) — top-tier LGBTQ+ workplace equality rating. Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index member (2024) — transparent on female leadership, equal pay, inclusive culture.

United Airlines

HRC Corporate Equality Index: 100/100 — Equality 100 Leader (2025). Top-rated LGBTQ+ workplace policies, benefits, and culture. Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index member (2024) — transparent on female leadership, equal pay, inclusive culture. HRC Corporate Equality Index 100/100 (2025) — top-tier LGBTQ+ workplace equality rating.

Charity

Southwest Airlines

$12M reported corporate giving in 2024 (~0.05% of revenue). JUST Capital JUST 100 — ranked #66 of Russell 1000 (2025) for treatment of workers, customers, communities, environment. Drucker Institute Management Top 250 — ranked #37 (2024) on customer satisfaction, employee engagement, innovation, social responsibility, and financial strength. Fortune World's Most Admired Companies — ranked #27 (2024).

United Airlines

$15M reported corporate giving in 2024 (~0.03% of revenue).

Animal testing

Southwest Airlines

No public record found.

United Airlines

No public record found.

Firearms

Southwest Airlines

No public record found.

United Airlines

No public record found.

Privacy

Southwest Airlines

No public record found.

United Airlines

State regulator action: NY AG (most recent 2026-01-01). ~$90.0M in known settlements. Attorney General James Announces Conviction of Madison County Tax Preparer for Running Decades-Long Ponzi Scheme

Executive pay

Southwest Airlines

CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio 173:1 (median employee pay $95,715) — SEC proxy statement (DEF 14A, 2026).

United Airlines

CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio 334:1 (median employee pay $96,670) — SEC proxy statement (DEF 14A, 2026).

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