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Southwest Airlines to Evaluate Addition of 737-800 to Our Fleet

mvandeven1
Explorer B

Earlier today, I shared with our Employees that Southwest has been evaluating the opportunity to introduce the Boeing 737-800 into our fleet as part of our domestic network, but we have not yet finalized our decision.   While the aircraft introduces additional complexities to our operation, we believe our existing network could be enhanced by converting some of our future 737-700 deliveries to 737-800s.  Introducing the -800, which has more seating capacity than the -700, would be a complementary fit to our current fleet by supplementing opportunities for longer-haul flying, while also potentially improving our unit costs.  The -800 can also give Southwest scheduling flexibility by allowing for additional capacity in high-demand, slot-controlled, or gate-restricted markets—in other words, we can carry more passengers to some of our most popular destinations.  

Since the decision to add the -800 has not been finalized, any details regarding configuration, timing, and quantity of deliveries are still to be determined.   Given the long Boeing lead time from order to delivery, Southwest would need to make a final decision by December 1 to begin accepting deliveries by early 2012.  We are proud to continue our strong history of being the largest Boeing 737 operator in the world, and excited for the potential opportunities that lie ahead for Southwest Airlines which would come with introducing the -800 into our fleet. 

 

59 Comments
Marshall_Field
Explorer C
How about making those 737-700ER with ETOPS? That way you could fly to the most "Southernwest" point in the United States. Since ATA died and your code share along with them--along with another carrier or two--you could easily pick-up some higher-profit, long-haul over-water routes.
Anonymous1621
Explorer C
Love Southwest! If bringing the 800 series will allow for cheaper airfare then bring it on. My only other request if you can work in some direct flights out of the LI MacArthur airport we would be grateful. My first choice of flying is always Southwest!
Anonymous2414
Explorer C
I think it's a great idea. I must say I appreciate that you use Boeing products. By using an American company you are keeping Americans working. I try not to fly with anyone that uses Airbus for that reason.
W__Schooler
Explorer C
I say Bring that fat 800 on...... Been flying SWA from days of the old cash register tickets an three airports....Alaways been the best ever.....bar none I can see a true benefits of the larger 800 an plug them in say at Midway to Vegas its a win win.....Am sure there are other major hubs that can use that extra lift too.. You GO SWA and keep doing it the right way.....I love ya.. My Best To My Carrier..... A Very Long Time Passenger, and always a happy one....
Steve_Mansfield
Explorer C
All I ask is that whether it is the -700 or -800 that they come with Wi-Fi I was on a test filght for it well over a year ago and haven't seen it since :) LUV you guys
Anonymous2050
Explorer C
I am certain you will make a good decision. How about looking at flying into Everett (Paine Field) or Bellingham? In that case I would fly Southwest exclusively on domestic flights!
Anonymous1887
Explorer C
the 737-800 will be a great addition to the fleet, it has a greater capacity, which means u'll be able to fly more dedicated passengers
Monique_Roy
Explorer C
I love that you are using an American company Boeing for your planes. Having been on many completely full flights lately it seems like the idea of extra seats may be a good business move rather than having to pick up an entire extra flight to fill the obvious demand. It also seems like a way to keep costs a bit lower per passenger as well. :-)
Oliver1
Explorer C
Do it!!!! I believe the 737-900ER should be considered also for longer haul, overseas flying. *ahem*cough* Hawaii!!! Thanks for posting this intriguing update!
Anonymous4421
Explorer C
Do it! Wouldn't the 800 series be able to fly to Hawaii? That would be awesome!!!!
Anonymous264
Explorer C
I for one am looking forward to seeing the swanky new interiors Boeing is showing off in the 737-900ER on their website (derived from the 787). But I"m a dork that way.
K__Moore
Explorer C
I would love to see SW have the -800 series planes. As someone who does fly often to a lot of your super popular destinations, it would be nice to know that we can all get a seat!
Russ1
Explorer C
^ Hawaii doesn't really rake in profits for airlines. There's overcapacity on the routes as it is. Needless to say, a long 738 in canyon blue would look pretty good!
metanoi
Explorer C
Yay! Bring on the -800! One more fun thing for Schedule Planning to optimize for... I love operations management. 🙂
Earl_Elms
Explorer C
I just read yesterday in USA TODAY that the 737-900 has the best scale of economics for fuel economy for passenger to flight range in the 1000 mile flight range area---which would be many of your flights....What about that bad boy---it holds up to 180 pax and that would really give you a lot of additionall capacity in high density areas/routes and controlled capacity areas.......your thoughts?
SL
Explorer C
Yes, Get bigger planes !!!! Or..... re-configure the ones you have. My friends and I don't use Southwest very much because we are "bigger" guys and don't fit in the dinky 17-18" you currently provide. If you had flights with available 20" seats, We would use you all the time . Otherwise, you run a good operation... SL
Anonymous3999
Explorer C
great new's and a great aircraft as well......i love my swa
Anonymous2837
Explorer C
The 737-800 would be a great addition to the fleet. Really they should lease some 757's that could fly to Hawaii!! Have then at the 10 most busyness airports with two flights daily!!! That would give the other carriers a run for the money!!!!!
Chitragupta
Explorer C
What is the seating capacity of a WN 737-700 vs. a 737-800 in a single class configuration?
Spenser_Critter
Explorer C
I always thought a 757 would look good in the Southwest livery. The only problem is they would have to be bought used. The 757 would be perfect for longer transcontinental flights and even Transatlantic flights. If you are looking for newer large aircraft than I have to agree, look at the 737-900ER. Great to see SWA is looking at larger aircraft though.
Anonymous1087
Explorer C
I fly with my birds,and unfortunately SW does not take domestic birds. You now take on small dogs and cats, can you consider taking birds. thanks
statguy
Explorer C
737-800's with winglets can fly to Hawaii easily from the West Coast. I would expect WN to have some ETOPS planes to make the run from OAK/SJC to HNL and from ONT/LAX/SAN to HNL. AS runs a number of 738's to HNL from the West Coast every day. The only problems were some flights from SEA/PDX to HNL during the winter -- very strong headwinds forced a fuel stop in OAK,
Anonymous1686
Explorer C
Even -700 can fly over to Hawaii anyway. Remember Aloha airlines? Anyway, I think the -800 will works great on the high density route, but I hope it will still make a turn around in less then 30min or less
Lenny1
Explorer C
Do you think SouthWest will ever fly into Nassau in the Bahama's
August
Explorer C
Southwest should fly the 737-800 to Hawaii. No fare paying passengers (the utilization of an HI plan seems like it would be poor), but stuff it with Freedom Award tickets (two awards combined) to get to Hawaii. People would snap that up.
Anonymous3665
Explorer C
Let's start flying to Puerto Rico already!!!
Anonymous4624
Explorer C
I think including the Boeing 737-800 into SWA's fleet would be awesome! This would allow Southwest to offer routes to Hawaii 🙂 I think SWA would get a lot of business if they offered routes to Kahului from Phoenix b/c people like to escape the summer heat of AZ and head to the beaches of Hawaii! Currently, Phoenix citizens are stuck with Hawiian Airlines which only offers service to Honolulu and US Airways who charges for checked luggage; therefore, adding the 737-800 into SWA's fleet would allow service to Hawaii and a lot of business for a fast growing awesome airline like Southwest! "Grab your bag...it's ON!" 🙂
flyingfish
Explorer C
Why the Hawaii fixation people? There is lots of money to be made with a bigger aircraft in the current network or something that doesn't tie up an aircraft for 5+ hours at a time. Fewer flights, less opportunity to make money. It does open those doors, but there are lots of other doors to walk thru first.
Anonymous1882
Explorer C
Why buy Boeing, The Airbus Options are much better, and you can use the CFM Engines on The A32X Fleet, this would mean that the engineers would not need to get used to a new type of engine, Buy European, Buy Airbus.
BobMac
Explorer C
I've flown the 800 series on Alaska Air to Ancohorage (after flying Southwest to Seattle). It's a great plane and would make a great addition to the Southwest fleet. You could retire the -500 series I've flown on my last two flights from BWI to RDU and replace them with -800 series on longer routes.
TSA
Explorer C
Way to go SWA. I am glad to hear that we may be getting the 737-800. How about getting some of the new 787's. I would love to see those added to the fleet when they come out
Anonymous1240
Explorer C
Go for it Southwest!!! When are you all going to begin flying from Canada? There is no competition in Canada for flights to the USA. Hope that the marketing department or whoever decides what the next destination/s should be would read my blog!!!!! Great service and great prices as usual, no complaints. Consider coming to Canada!!!!!
Anonymous4604
Explorer C
how about utilizing the extra space for a business class cabin with similar amenities and benefits as airtrans?
mabram
Explorer C
when are you all going to start flying out of memphis tn,it's not fair for memphian to have to drive two in a half hrs little rock, or four hours to nashville, just to get a reasonable flight.we all would deeply appreciate anything you could do to make our lives flying easy as well.thanks .
Glen2
Explorer C
Sounds good to me. Never run an airline before, always like space when I need it, and thanks for asking.
w5pda
Adventurer B
The B738 would be an excellent addition to the Southwest family :-)

 

 

 

 

 

Paul In CRP

Erick_D_Leon
Explorer C
Maybe...just maybe, you could use the 737-800's and fly direct from Vegas to Middle Georgia. That way all of the people in this great state can get a little airline competition since Delta seems to be running the joint...or are we just getting a little scared of competition in our old age?.....WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OLD SOUTHWEST THAT TOOK ON AMERICAN IN DALLAS? Well it's time to wake up and do it again with Delta!! IN GEORGIA!!!
Jay5
Explorer C
WE NEED WI-FI PLEASE!!!!! I LUV Southwest like a long term girlfriend. Wi-Fi would make me want to marry her!!!!!!
Anonymous4523
Explorer C
Add Memphis to your Airline and offer daily non stops MEM to LVS, the current only nonstop is delta and every flight is sold out.
Anonymous3615
Explorer C
Nevermind about new planes, how's about getting a NEW UPDATED boarding procedure. Having flown on more airlines I would like to admit, this has got to be the WORST system I've encountered. It's a glorified "Cattle Line". JetBlue has literally left you in the dust on this one. SouthWest...Can you say "online seat selection"? Give it a try, it's not too difficult to implement.
MT
Explorer C
Southwest ordering the 737-800 would be great. I came across this analysis - http://www.fleetbuzzeditorial.com/2010/08/16/southwest-boeing-737/ If you look at the arguments being presented, its looks like LUV wants to win over unions for a new, bigger 737 replacement and go for this ahead of anything else. Makes sense too.
JKB
Explorer C
Good to see so many people are enthusiastic about Southwest.. Too bad a lot of people don't understand that one of reasons Southwest has succeeded where others have failed is the use of a single basic airframe, the 737. Significantly reduces parts and maintenance costs, training, etc. Forget Airbus, forget the used 757, forget (for now) the 787. Keep the 737 until it makes sense to move to another airframe. You know how rto do it because you have been.
fireboy
Explorer C
Hey that is great news!! will fly you over others even if it does involve an extra segment. Keep using Boeing's.. Made in the USA!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous751
Explorer C
I think it would be great if they get the new 737-800s it would mean more flight atendant jobs and more routs to more destinations and also give those dummies such as airtran and jetblue a lesson in who is bigger and better.
UA-R
Explorer C
Bring on the 738 w/ Winglets AND please gain service to ORD... you'd really give the larger airlines a run for their money, if Southwest fly into MDW and ORD
Anonymous1181
Explorer C
I agree with all of the above. I think the 800 would be a plus for Southwest in many ways. I fly every 2 weeks to and from work and LUV Southwest airlines, but I think it is time for Southwest to step back up to the plate and start giving other airlines with long haul routes a run for there money. I know I'm not alone and speak for many when I say Southwest needs a daily flight to Hawaii or to Canada. Hopefully someday I will be able to book a flight on a Southwest flight that goes international..... Say Europe... When and if that day ever comes to pass all the other airlines better look out. Here's to a bright feature Southwest.... Thanks for such an awesome airline.
Oliver1
Explorer C
News articles and other blogs are talking about how Flight Attendants may sink the deal to get bigger planes... Flight Attendants, would you agree or disagree with getting new larger planes? Why?
Phil1
Explorer C
Since other airlines use the -800 and -900 series, I hope that Southwest invests in either one or both. I think that there is sufficient justification for this size of plane, in my casual observance flying out of Phoenix. However, if you do, please invest in an additional restroom on-board. It's one thing to wait for a restroom when you're going PHX-STL, but if you decide to go PHX-HNL, it could be come a messy plane. Yes, I understand that putting a restroom takes out seats, but I believe all will be happier if there was a mid-cabin or additional restroom in the rear of the plane. I really enjoy flying Southwest and I believe that Southwest will grow new markets and should gain more capacity to fly either longer distances (PHX-HNL) or be able to fly more people places like PHX-BOS non-stop. Do something like that, and you'll have more passengers that will be happy...and not crossing their legs mid-way between Phoenix and Honolulu.
Anonymous854
Explorer C
Newsflash for those of you commentors who keep thinking the bigger the plane the further the distance... Uhm.... The 737-7H4, Southwest Airlines current plane, is the farthest any of their future 737 fleet will be able to go. The 700 can go really far as it has the same (or nearly the same) capacity fuel tanks as the -800 and -900, or -900ER, without the extra weight. Therefore, THEY WOULD NOT BE GETTING THE -800 FOR LONGER RANGE. Pretty much simply put, Southwest would like the ability to host more passengers on their flights. So, I know that most of you don't know as much as I do about these Boeing jets as me, but as stated above, the higher the 2nd number after 737 gets, doesn't mean it can go any further. Kayyy thanksss.
Dylan_Helmer
Explorer C
First off, the 700 can already make it to Hawaii, that's way up to them whether or not they go there, and why are you saying the -900 can fly longer hauls to Hawaii? the 700 and 800 can already do it easy. the 800 already goes to Hawaii daily from west coast for Alaska Airlines. And if southwest did choose to fly to Hawaii it's not exactly too profitable. Hawaiian airlines owns all those routes that you might have in your head atm. The -800 would be really cool to see Southwest have, it's all up to SWA on that one, if it means more jobs opening up for pilots then i say hell yeah! go for it. But if your getting rid of the -300 , -500 and slowly the -700's i say no.