If you’re considering flying with southwest airlines, you’ve probably heard of its stellar reputation and extensive network. However, are you curious about the airline’s 737 MAX aircraft? Then read on to find out more. Southwest is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The airline flies to more than 120 destinations throughout the United States and 10 other countries. Below, you’ll learn about the airline’s history and newest 737 MAX aircraft.
Texan airline
The origin of Southwest Airlines is a Texas-based company. The company first registered its aircraft in Houston, Texas in the late 1980s. This allowed Southwest Airlines to pay aircraft taxes in the Houston area, without physically relocating its assets. The company later expanded into California, the Midwest, and the East and Southeast. Today, Southwest Airlines serves over 30 destinations across the United States. The company also flies to dozens of destinations in Mexico.
The company changed its name to Southwest Airlines Co. on March 29, 1971. The company’s headquarters were located in Dallas. Its first scheduled flights were on June 18, 1971, from Dallas to Houston and San Antonio. Eventually, Southwest had over 400 employees working from its Dallas headquarters. Despite this initial setback, the airline continued to grow. It also began offering flights to Baltimore. By the end of the decade, Southwest had 1,400 employees in its three-story headquarters building.
Low-cost carrier
As a U.S. low-cost carrier, Southwest Airlines is one of the largest in the country. While the airline faces a tough competition from other airlines, its cost-effective business model has helped it survive a recent recession. While Southwest faces competition on almost every route, the airline has continued to grow, particularly in Seattle and Los Angeles. In fact, it was the first low-cost carrier to reach operating profitability in 2008.
The low-cost airline business model first emerged in the United States with the launch of Pacific Southwest Airlines in 1949. The success of the airline led to the formation of numerous low-cost carriers around the world, including Southwest. Its low-fare strategy has since become a template for other low-cost carriers around the world. But what exactly is low-fare flying? Here’s an overview of what the concept is and how it works.
Long-haul network
While the domestic market has continued to grow, the airline is focusing on long-haul travel. The airline has also hinted at shoring up its short-haul market, particularly on the west coast. The airline recently announced new routes for 2016, including some to the Caribbean and Hawai’i. Here are five of the most interesting aspects of the long-haul network. For starters, the airline now offers direct flights between Houston Hobby and Las Vegas and between Dallas and Phoenix.
The expansion is expected to continue in the near future, although Southwest is currently settling in with the number of destinations it serves. The airline has not ruled out adding more cities, though. The airline hasn’t stated when it plans to expand its network, and if it sees new destinations that it can make profitable, it may consider adding more flights to them. This is great news for customers who don’t want to drive for hours and are looking for an easy flight from Dallas to Chicago.
737 MAX aircraft
While the 737 MAX is expected to have limited variations, the airline has a long order backlog for the newest generation. In addition to a high cost, Southwest’s new airplanes would take years to deliver, making it difficult for the airline to quickly switch planes. Despite the potential cost savings, Southwest’s board of directors has emphasized its commitment to a future fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
As a result, the company has taken steps to improve pilot training for the 737 MAX. One such improvement is the ‘flight path data recorder,’ a standard safety feature in the Max. The feature alerts pilots if sensors malfunction. Boeing, meanwhile, is working to improve pilot training. Whether the 737 MAX will be grounded is uncertain. But the airline is still the biggest buyer of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
