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Southwest Debuts the 737-800: Warrior One!

blusk
Aviator C

Many of you have been following our updates as our new 737-800 moved through the construction process and through the first test flight on February 23. One of those steps was the “in-person” introduction today to members of the media, Southwest Employees, and guests at events hosted in Dallas.


The day kicked off with a media preview of the new aircraft, followed by an Employee celebration. At the media preview, Southwest Executives Mike Van de Ven and Brian Hirshman displayed the aircraft to reporters, showcasing the highlights of the -800’s features like the new Boeing Sky Interior, as well as discussing how the -800 will allow us to add overwater routes and more capacity to slot-restricted airports. Boeing Vice President and Program Manager for the 737 Program, Bev Wyse, closed out the media presentation with a recap of Southwest’s long association with the 737.

Sun Warrior

Then the aircraft taxied over to the Employee event, where it was dedicated and named  Warrior One in salute of the Southwest Employees’ Warrior Spirit. The 737-800 will take our airline to new places and allow us compete in highly competitive, but highly restricted markets like LaGuardia, so it’s only fitting that we name it Warrior One to reflect that “can do” attitude.

This is a beautiful aircraft, and I know our Customers will love it, but it also plays an important strategic role in our future. Warrior One and the other -800s carry 175 passengers, which is a whopping 28 percent increase over our current fleet configuration.  Besides improving our unit costs per flight, the -800 gives us opportunities for longer-haul flying and schedule flexibility by adding capacity in those high-demand, slot-controlled, or gate-restricted airports.

Sky Interior

The Boeing Sky Interior offers a quieter, more comfortable environment for Customers with taller ceilings and more overhead bin space, improved operational security features, and ambient LED reading and ceiling lighting. Besides being more effective, the new interior is energy efficient. Also, our great Flight Attendants can match the lighting to the mood onboard the aircraft—subdued at night or bright and festive for a Las Vegas flight.

After the formal part of the event, Employees were allowed to tour the aircraft and see firsthand the new Boeing Sky Interior with its improved sidewalls, larger overheads, and new ceiling with mood lighting. 

Confetti

After some final certifications, Warrior One and our second 737-800 will be set to enter scheduled service on April 11. I hope you all have a chance to fly on a brand new Southwest -800 very soon!

 

262 Comments
airtran371
Explorer B
I can't wait to see them flying daily through La Guardia!
jason_firewell
Explorer C
i hate southwest
jamescameron1
Explorer C
I'm hoping to see one at GEG
mjuliusjr
Explorer C
thats a very beautiful plane.. .cant wait to fly and hopes it makes a stop in milwaukee, wi
Matt111
Explorer C
Does this have anything to do with UH Warriors?
Rod_Munch
Explorer C
Wish Southwest serviced the planes in the US.
Nicole_Edwards
Explorer C
Congratulations to you SWA! I couldn't be more proud! 🙂
Robert_F_Ranzen
Explorer C
Congratulations all around !!! R^2
Caroline2
Explorer C
I LOVE southwest!!!
Chris_Saxon
Explorer C
Can't wait to fly on this new game changer for Southwest Airlines !!!! Very happy to have Southwest in Nashville....Huge part of our community and proud to have you guys in Music City USA !!!!
Anonymous
Not applicable
I love Southwest Airlines!!! Its the best!! Keep shining Southwest!!! Your airline makes so many people happy!
Paul_S1
Explorer C
I fly SW a bunch. Glad to see them getting the larger aircraft. Hope it has WiFi and that you get WiFi on all your flights.
Anonymous3854
Explorer C
I hope it will be flying to Hawaii soon
Amy_Studer
Explorer C
Really hoping for HAWAII flights!!!
J-Chi
Explorer C
Most other airlines already have them and are flying them. American has over 70 all with multimclass cabins. I'm sure the Southwest ones will be bare bones like their existing planes. I do my best to fly Southwest as little as possible and fly over 100 segments per year. They are the worst in the US in my opinion.
Jim_Flyer
Explorer C
Really? Another new plane without internet!
A-List_Preferre
Explorer C
The 800 is nice looking as should be expected in a new design from Boeing. However Southwest is pushing in more rows of seats than originally planned on the 800 and retrofitting part of their existing fleet with more seats (article in this month’s Spirit magazine). I fly over 40 weeks a year and use SW a lot. If there is any loss of space in the seats or leg room I plan to stop flying with them as this will be the last straw. Southwest is the nation’s number one volume carrier and was built on customer service, low cost and on time flights. They are no longer even close to being the low cost carrier and their on time flight record is next to the bottom of the major carriers with only Air Canada being worse (report dated Feb 2012 Southwest 75.4%, Delta 87.4% on time). Lately you can see that the flight attendants have lost that light hearted attitude they used to sport and to me that is part of the customer service they were known for. The pillars they were built on are buckling and a pretty new plane will not make up for the losses.
go_to_Hawaii
Explorer C
Can't wait for them to start flying to Hawaii!
Martina_Mathis
Explorer C
Congratulations SWA, that is a beautiful plane! I can't wait to fly on one, perhaps from Austin TX to Hawaii!!?? Hint
Lorrin_P_Colby_
Explorer C
I am so x-sited about these new planes. I don't fly to much but when I do it's with Southwest. I Luv you guys better than the other airlines. Your the best! 🙂
Selma_George
Explorer C
Will you start flying to Hawaii, especially Kauai??
Shannon_MItchel
Explorer C
I am overjoyed for Southwest. I have been flying SW for 20 years. Their staff and travel experience has always been a pleasure. I can't wait to fly in one of the new planes and look forward to more options to fly with them. Congratulations!
Patti_Gangi
Explorer C
Southwest is the only airline I fly. Can't wait for the new plane to come to Orlando
Greg27
Explorer C
Southwest has done it right standardizing on 737's greatly contributing to their success! They're simply good bang for the buck!
Lorrin_P_Colby_
Explorer C
I am so X-sited about this new plane, I can't wait to fly in one. I don't fly much but when I do I go straight for Southwest Airlines. I LUV Southwest! Your the BEST! 🙂
Cynthia_C_Johns
Explorer C
I love Southwest Airlines. Love their customer service and timeliness. The Southwest flight attendants are great and I have experienced some pretty entertaining pre-flight instructions!! Great the the slightly nervous flyer. They really put you at ease! Southwest is the best!
Cynthia_C_Johns
Explorer C
I love Southwest Airlines. Love their customer service and timeliness. The Southwest flight attendants are great and I have experienced some pretty entertaining pre-flight instructions!! Great the the slightly nervous flyer. They really put you at ease! Southwest is the best!
anna_ricci
Explorer C
I hope I see this beauty in PHL..
anna_ricci
Explorer C
I hope I see this beauty in PHL..
Jaime_Medina
Explorer C
If you hate Southwest, then be aware that they fought for low fares for the benefit of the flying public. The years of fighting of the old guard of airline consortiums with Herb to prevent Southwest from flying outside of Texas, gave fruit to this little airline to show the rest, how low cost, high flying quality air travel can be done. The freedom to fly around the country is truly a great accomplishment for not only Southwest, but a testament to Herb's vision, faith and liberty of those who believed in him in Love Field to those that now enjoy trips to friends and family at a reasonable cost. I love this airline and forgive you for your transgression. You can only hate what you once loved. This airline loves you even though you do not.
Ric_pata
Explorer C
I am happy about the interior cabin height increase, but if the seats aren't wider, then sitting in a confining seat will not alleviate the discomfort and anxiety associated with small, cramped spaces. Please tell me you have given use an extra two inches, per seat, width to sit in. Now THAT would be heavenly.
Ric_pata
Explorer C
I am happy about the interior cabin height increase, but if the seats aren't wider, then sitting in a confining seat will not alleviate the discomfort and anxiety associated with small, cramped spaces. Please tell me you have given use an extra two inches, per seat, width to sit in. Now THAT would be heavenly.
The_Shredder
Explorer C
Amazing that a airplane envisioned in 1964 and first flew on 4/9/1967 has been improved to function so well 50+ years later in the 2012! How could this happen using slide rules and IBM 1620 computers? Those engineers were great!
dale_Marcus
Explorer C
looks great, but is leg room any better?
Ryan2
Explorer C
It's a shame they changed their Rapid Rewards point system the way they did. They lost one very loyal customer who now adores Jet Blue!
David_Green
Explorer C
As I reflect on our US military members fighting in foreign lands, and as a retired military member, I find it almost offensive that an airplane is named Warrior One in salute of the Southwest Employees’ Warrior Spirit. I know of no one who has ever served in combat who wants to do it again. We do it for our nation, to keep us safe, and help other to enjoy the freedoms that people of the US and other democratic nations enjoy. Would have loved to see it called Freedom One or something like that. The idea of a warrior sprit disturbs me greatly. US decorated in combat retired serviceman..
Walter_Cox
Explorer C
Will Southwest begin servicing Hawaii? Beautiful aircraft!
Liz10
Explorer C
I love Southwest. Never had any problems with them. I cannot wait to have the chance to fly on this plane. I could always get a cheap rate with them , not to mention build up my reward points!!! 🙂
Hilary_debow
Explorer C
Come on Southwest lets get back to Hawaii! The only reason I had to fly different airline than in the last ten years is because yall didn't fly to oahu.
Mikey_Bivins
Explorer C
Southworst! Herdwest! And the singing is annoying as hell. Hate flying SW due to the newbie fliers that flock to their flights.
Pat_Daley
Explorer C
I LOVE Southwest and hope one of my flights is on this baby.
R_Planchon
Explorer C
Sorry, the name is annoying. One of the primary dictionary meanings or warrior is, "A person engaged or experienced in warfare". Why give it any even close association with warfare?
James_Robles
Explorer C
I've flown Southwest a lot.....and I'm happy to fly in any new plane & company that keeps updated to make their company & customers happy
Tom_Thompson
Explorer C
Wish you were coming to Greensboro, NC!
carlene
Explorer C
I love Southwest!! I used to be afraid of flying but when I fly SW, I'm so relaxed!! Thank you Southwest for the kind of company you are from the top down! I'm very grateful. Can't wait to fly in this gem of the skies!!
Bill_Laux
Explorer C
I "luv" Southwest... The only airline I fly in the U.S.
Joseph1
Explorer C
WOW! how exciting, what beautiful Boeing built aircrafts. Good luck on the future moving forward and growing to be the best low fare airline in the USA. Southwest needs to go green more, and use less paint on the planes exteriors.
Dianna_Snow
Explorer C
Thank you so much Southwest as there is NO other carrier better than you! I helped 5 people book flights from Milwaukee to Las Vegas recently (and I don't get paid to do it) because of your great service, extra FREE snacks, NO BAGGAGE FEES, did I say GREAT SERVICE (BOTH ON THE GROUND AND IN THE AIR). I have flown many airlines and before I go anywhere I check to see if Southwest goes there! Keep up the great work and hope you will fly more over seas too!
Richard_D__Hall
Explorer C
Why don't you keep the Sarasota service? I was flying with Airtran because of the smaller airport and convenience, now I will have to look for another carrier.
TheraB
Explorer C
This is really interesting, but how many are slated for service? When? And what routes? Needs some facts. Happy flying,