Southwest Hopes to Become All-MAX Operator by 2031

The airline is aiming to retire its fleet of 737 Next-Generation aircraft in the coming years.

Southwest 737 MAX 8 aircraft (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

[ Planes ]October 7, 2024 1:22 pm ET

By Ryan Ewing

Amid a flurry of headlines from the airline’s Investor Day event on Sept. 26, Southwest also detailed its fleet renewal plan for the coming years. The Dallas-based carrier’s finance chief, Tammy Romo, noted that the company is aiming to operate only 737 MAX-series aircraft.

By the end of 2031, Southwest says it plans to retire its fleet of older Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 Next-Generation (NG) jets. Romo added that the airline’s average fleet age will be just five years old following the 737NG retirements.

According to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data, the airline’s current average fleet age is approximately 11.5 years. Southwest has 362 737-700s and 205 737-800s in active service, along with a fleet of 242 newer 737 MAX 8s.

A Southwest 737-700 in the ‘Canyon Blue’ livery. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The airline is set to retire 35 aircraft in 2024, including 31 737-700s and four 737-800s. In addition, it expects to take delivery of 20 737 MAX jets.

“So first of all, we are looking to retire our entire NG fleet. As I mentioned, that’s 571 aircraft. That’s through the end of our order book, which is 2031,” Romo added. “So we are trying to balance all of that. Obviously, we want to meet our network needs, but we do have excess aircraft.”

Despite ongoing delivery delays and a machinist strike at Boeing, Romo said the airline has “ample flexibility with [its] retirement schedule.” Southwest had planned to receive the 737 MAX 7 this year but removed the type from its near-term fleet plan.

The airline has 286 737 MAX 7s on order along with 109 options for either the MAX 7 or MAX 8 variants. Boeing has yet to receive FAA certification for the 737 MAX 7.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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