Southwest on Monday showed off a new U.S.-themed aircraft livery designed to celebrate the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
Crews applied a red, white, and blue paint scheme to a Southwest Boeing 737, now nicknamed “Independence One.” The design includes 13 stars for the original colonies; circles of stars on each engine cowling, recalling the Betsy Ross flag; the date “1776” written in giant quill script; and the phrase “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” taken from the Declaration of Independence.
Independence One will join two other U.S.-themed aircraft in Southwest’s fleet – “Freedom One,” which was introduced in 2021, and the more recent “Liberty One.”
The unveiling came as Southwest announced a new partnership with America250, the organization coordinating the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations this year. The airline plans to give up to $250,000 to nonprofit groups that its employees serve.
“With our new Independence One and Liberty One aircraft, we honor this important milestone in our nation’s history, and the generations of customers that Southwest has carried,” Southwest President and CEO Bob Jordan said in a news release. “Southwest is proud to be a part of the 250th national celebration and to honor the same spirit of innovation, resilience, and optimism that has shaped our country and our company.”
Independence One will enter service on Wednesday with a flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to Philadelphia.
American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have also partnered with America250. In March, American and subsidiary Envoy each announced plans for new patriotic liveries, which are expected to debut later this spring or summer.
