Southwest Airlines CEO, Gary Kelly, continues to speak loudly at his doubts about Boeing providing a replacement that is 10 or more years down the line in lieu of a re-engine.  At the J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Defense Conference, Kelly spoke of this dilemma for Southwest and just how unsatisfying it is. 

Southwest wants more fuel effiency sooner than what Boeing is publicly talking about.   Kelly believes that Southwest needs to advance its talks with Boeing on this subject.   Kelly also believes they can manage more than one type of aircraft in their fleet and believes the Boeing 717 will offer many possibilities for Southwest going forward.  Finally, he also believes they can source their next mainline aircraft from several manufacturers, not just Boeing and he includes Airbus and Bombardier (CS Series) in that statement.

There isn’t anything new being said here.  However, its the fact that Kelly has taken to saying it in virtually every public forum that is significant.  Southwest wants Boeing to pay attention and the fact that Kelly continues to speak indicates that Boeing isn’t doing a very good job of listening so far.  Is it hubris, dysfunctionality or a short wait before they hope to wow Southwest?

I actually lean towards hubris in this case.  I believe Boeing thinks that Southwest will wait.  I believe that Southwest is not the same Southwest Airlines that existed in the mid 1990’s and if Boeing expects to keep them as a mainline customer, it’s time for some transparent talks on what these airlines need.

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