Southwest Airlines admits it is considering adding a bigger 737 to its fleet and its the 737-800 that it is interested in.  The 737-800 would give the airline more revenue opportunity used in and out of airports that have slot restrictions such as La Guardia or on routes with ever increasing density but where frequency isn’t justified.

Current SWA aircraft, the 737-300 and 737-700 carry 137 passengers and a 737-800 would probably carry about 175 people in a Southwest configuration.  That’s an additional a potential increase of 38 passengers for those critical routes with costs that wouldn’t be all that much more than their current costs.  A little bit more fuel and an additional flight attendant is all that is really required.  That spells more profit.

And I like the idea.  Frankly, I think Southwest could stand to add all 3 models of 737 to their fleet and I think they ought to seriously examine the potential of Hawaii and trans-continental flights.  But, then, I also think they could stand to look at smaller aircraft for regional routes with high frequency too.  It’s going to be the only way they can continue growth in the future.

However, don’t go thinking you’re going to see a 737-800 in SWA colours next year either.  Southwest likes to mull decisions like this for quite a while and it would require negotiating amendments to their union contracts with the pilots and flight attendants at minimum. 

Take note here, SWA pilots and FA’s, here is your chance to be industry game changers again.  Pilots, you shouldn’t ask for a dime more to fly these aircraft.  They require no extra effort on your part and it keeps the flying in your house, not SWA codeshare partners’.  Flight Attendants, the same goes for you.  The passenger count per flight attendant actually *drops* by two passengers with these aircraft.  Be game players and make this happen.  It costs neither union anything to make this work and most likely will add profitability to the company as well as future stability to your jobs. 

This really is win-win.  Get greedy and it is the beginning of a long end to SWA.

If SWA does adopt this idea, expect aircraft in the fleet 12 to 24 months after the decision is announced.

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