Wilson v. Southwest Airlines Co.

Gregory Wilson (plaintiff) sued Southwest Airlines (defendant) on behalf of over 100 male applicants after Southwest refused to hire men as flight attendants or ticket agents. Southwest restricted those jobs to women to fit its public image as a 'love' airline emphasizing the femininity and sex appeal of its staff, believing this attracted male customers and preserved its 'female corporate personality.' At trial, Southwest argued that being female was a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) for those positions.

Whether an employer may discriminate on the basis of sex without violating Title VII where sex is not a bona fide occupational qualification.