Southwest orders new aircraft from Boeing

In an ongoing effort to improve fuel efficiency while extending its profitability in the airline industry, Southwest has placed a firm order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, with the first delivery scheduled in 2017.

“With the Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft joining our fleet in 2017, it’s currently too early to tell the specific capabilities this aircraft will present in regards to Air Cargo,” said Wally Devereaux, Southwest Airlines Director Cargo Sales and Marketing. “But the improved fuel efficiency of the 737 MAX will enable us to improve our fuel costs, as well as our environmental performance.”

In an interview with LM, Devereaux added that over the next couple years, Southwest will continue to work closely with Boeing “to access our air cargo opportunities.”

The 737 MAX with LEAP-1B engines will reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by an additional 10-11 percent over today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplane. It will have the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle segment with a seven percent advantage over its competition.

The 58 new 737NG firm orders include the exercise of 25 previously existing options.  The Company has substituted -800s for all -700 737NG deliveries scheduled for 2012 and 2013 in addition to a portion of its 2014 deliveries. For the 737 MAX order, the Company has flexibility to accept MAX 7 or MAX 8 deliveries. The revised order book also includes 78 737NG options and 150 737 MAX options, bringing total option positions from 2014 through 2027 to 242.