Southwest Aircraft Receives a Makeover to Commemorate Boeing Milestone

Southwest Airlines made history today by accepting the Boeing Company's 2000th Next-Generation 737 into its fleet. The special delivery occurred nearly nine years after the airline received its first delivery of the Next-Generation 737. The 2000th Next-Generation aircraft will display special artwork to commemorate this industry milestone. Please use http://www.southwest.com/about_swa/press/060726_boeing737.html to view photos of the aircraft.

“Southwest Airlines was the launch customer for the Next-Generation aircraft in 1997 and now, all of our aircraft deliveries are Next-Generation Boeing 737-700s,” said Laura Wright Southwest's Chief Financial Officer. “This is truly a testament to our relationship with Boeing and the superior aircraft they continue to manufacture.”

The 2000th Next-Generation 737, painted in Southwest Airlines Canyon Blue colors, is the 522nd 737 aircraft to join the airline's fleet (includes retired aircraft). Throughout its history, Southwest has launched three Boeing 737 models -- the 737-300, 737-500, and 737-700.

“Over the years, Southwest has enjoyed growing right along with Boeing's 737 line,” Wright said. "In 2006, we will take delivery of 34 Boeing 737-700s which will support our continued growth across the country and will bring our year-end fleet total to 479 Boeing aircraft.”

The Next-Generation 737 has been in service since 1998, and the fleet has accumulated more than 24 million flight hours and flown more than 12 million flights. The reliability rate is an industry-leading 99.4 percent.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 62 cities in 32 states. In October, Washington Dulles International Airport will become Southwest's 63rd destination. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,150 flights a day and has almost 32,000 Employees systemwide.