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.
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.
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.
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!
Comments
Woohooo Go Southwest <3 !!!!!
Congratulations Southwest.....Love your airline and have since your first flights from Midway Airport.............Thanks to you we have all 'come a long way' since that time. You just keep getting better and better. Am so excited to soon experience the new 800....
I also like to say that as a firefighter I have run into burning buildings a lot and have have almost been killed several times but funny I have a little fear of flying. My wife loves it and southwest and laughs at me all the time(SMILE) I like them to and am glad they are closer to cincinnati.
SWA is tops in my book. Been using them religiously where they fly. They are always on time and that is their goal as well as safely.
Unfortunately things change. Their website is not as good as it was but it still beats all the others. And the best thing is no change fee!!
The one thing that bothers me if the unused tickets are not transferable anymore. We fly to Fla from the north but not as frequent now that prices have gone up and cannot reuse ticket in husbands name or vice versa. SWA used to sit on my $$ but now I have to make sure I am going on scheduled trip or can go if cancel within a years time.
Still SWA is better than all other airlines. They know how to run an airline business. Get in get out.
I love Southwest and it is my airline of choice, but Delta Airlines has been flying the 737-800 for seventeen years. Southwest has also had over-water capability in their 737-700 for some time. It is the aircraft that Delta flys to high altitude destinations in South America.
I left united and American with about 50,000 miles in hand for southwest.....all of there employees are happier and provide better service......Thank You southwest for giving me a pleasing travel atmosphere.
Thanks.......
I love Southwest. It's my favorite airline.
True, I don't fly that much but when I do,
I fly Southwest. I can't comment on overseas
airlines but Sothwest is easily hands down
America's best airline. I have never ever had
a bad flight. Kudos!
I love you Southwest!!!!! My teacher buddies and I fly on trips every spring break!! As a matter of fact we are flying out on Tuesday to head to Seattle!!!!!! Can't wait!
... and with that, in just a few short years, Southwest is going to be flying to London, Paris & Hawaii!! Woo!!
Ignore the fellow with the bad attitude. We all love Southwest and appreciate their humor and bags fly free policies and all they do to make today's air travel much more tolerable. Just love them.