<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>s8consentstockclerkplan.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
<TEXT>


                                                                Exhibit 23.1

                        [LETTERHEAD OF ERNST & YOUNG]

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8) pertaining to the Southwest Airlines Co. 2000 Stock Clerks Non-
Qualified Stock Option Plan of our report dated January 18, 2000 with respect
to the consolidated financial statements of Southwest Airlines Co. included
in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1999, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.




                                         /S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

                                         ERNST & YOUNG LLP


December 18, 2000

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
