Southwest in a few years.....?

Question

What plane will Southwest airlines start using when the 737's are no longer produced which by boeing says is sometime in the next ten years

Answer 1

Look at the 727....produced 1963–1984. Fedex and a bunch of other airlines still use them....Anything wrong with them? No. Swa will continue to use their 737's, and they still may keep their 737-300/500's and fit the 737-300's with winglets. Don't expect swa to get rid of their 737's just yet.

Answer 2

The 737 is such a successful concept that Boeing will probably not retire it for at least 40-50 years.  It is constantly being redesigned, updated, re engineered, and remodeled to keep its technology level and fuel economy up to the cutting edge.  Indeed it has already gone through several major redesigns.  The hydraulic system was completely redone due to the rudder reversion problem it had in the '80s.  The flight deck has been updated into a next-gen design incorporating glass instruments.  The engines have been updated to make them more fuel efficient and quieter.  Winglets have been added to next-gen models to decrease the airframe's drag.

Because of this, the basic airframe does not need to change very much.  All of the components that can be updated simply are.  After enough improvements are made, the aircraft earns a new -number (like 737-800 or 373-900) and it is offered to the market.  Southwest will simply continue to replace its older 737s with newer redesigned 737s for the foreseeable future.  Boeing would be foolish to discontinue the most profitable airplane ever built when all they need to do is keep adding improvements to the old airframe design to keep up with technological changes.

Answer 3

with the current status of airlines in ten years from now southwest will either be merged or bankrupt however they will probably fly 737 for 30 more years they have a long life and as long as the heavy maintenance is done correctly they could probably fly for 50 years

Answer 4

One of reasons Southwest is so sucessful is the operation of one series of airplane (the 737).  All the tires, Engines, Seats, etc, etc are the same.  They do not have to order parts for 4 or 5 models like Continental (for example) that has the 737, 757,  767, 777 and so forth.  They do not have to train mechanics on mutliple airplanes (reduces training cost).  The tugs, ground support equipment, and the list goes on is all set up for the 737.

I think Southwest will continue to fly the 737 as long as possible - maybe even buying 737's from other airlines as they move into other airplanes.

Eventually when they need to probably in 20-25 years, they will upgrade to the Dreamliner or who know maybe by then the Dreamliners replacement.

Answer 5

Whatever Boeing has that will replace the 737. I don't see Southwest EVER going to Airbus.

Answer 6

737. just because no new ones will be made doesn't mean they can't still fly the ones that have. the 757 and 767 (and possibly the 787) are the boeings most likely to take the place of the 737, though