Ever wondered just how much plane is carrying you across the country when you fly Southwest Airlines? It's a question many travelers ponder, especially when picking a seat or simply curious about the engineering marvels that make air travel possible. Well, you've come to the right place! Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of Southwest's fleet, and by the end, you'll be practically an expert on their aircraft.
Step 1: Let's Get Started – What's Your First Impression of a Southwest Plane?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, take a moment to recall your last Southwest flight. What did you notice about the plane? Was it the distinctive blue and red livery? The single aisle configuration? Perhaps the "Evolve" interior with its sleek, modern look? Share your initial thoughts! This will help us connect your real-world experience with the technical details we're about to explore.
Southwest Airlines famously operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet. This unique strategy sets them apart from most other major airlines that typically have a diverse range of aircraft from different manufacturers. This "single-aircraft type" approach brings significant benefits, which we'll touch upon later.
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| How Big Are Southwest Airlines Planes |
Step 2: Understanding Southwest's Current Fleet – The Boeing 737 Family
As of mid-2025, Southwest Airlines boasts one of the largest commercial airline fleets in the world, consisting of over 800 Boeing 737 aircraft. They primarily operate three main variants of the 737:
2.1. The Workhorse: Boeing 737-700
The venerable backbone of the Southwest fleet.
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Size and Capacity: The 737-700 is a "narrow-body" aircraft, meaning it has a single aisle. It typically seats 143 passengers in a single-class configuration (which is Southwest's signature approach).
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Dimensions:
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Length: Approximately 33.6 meters (110 feet 4 inches)
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Wingspan: Approximately 34.3 meters (112 feet 7 inches)
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Height (to top of tail): Approximately 12.5 meters (41 feet 2 inches)
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Purpose: These aircraft have been a staple for Southwest for many years and are primarily used for domestic, short-to-medium haul routes. Southwest was the launch customer for the 737-700 in 1997.
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Fun Fact: Some 737-700s have been retrofitted with "Split Scimitar Winglets" which are those distinctive upward-curved extensions at the end of the wings. These improve fuel efficiency!
2.2. The Slightly Larger Sibling: Boeing 737-800
Offering more seats for popular routes.
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Size and Capacity: The 737-800 is a stretched version of the 737-700, providing more capacity. It seats 175 passengers, again in Southwest's all-economy layout.
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Dimensions:
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Length: Approximately 39.5 meters (129 feet 6 inches)
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Wingspan: Approximately 35.8 meters (117 feet 5 inches)
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Height (to top of tail): Approximately 12.5 meters (41 feet 2 inches)
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Purpose: With its increased seating, the 737-800 is ideal for busier routes and slightly longer flights, allowing Southwest to carry more passengers efficiently.
Tip: Context builds as you keep reading.
2.3. The Modern Contender: Boeing 737 MAX 8
The newest and most fuel-efficient addition.
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Size and Capacity: Similar in passenger capacity to the 737-800, the 737 MAX 8 also seats 175 passengers.
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Dimensions: The MAX 8 shares very similar dimensions to the 737-800.
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Key Features: The MAX series incorporates more fuel-efficient engines, aerodynamic improvements, and a redesigned cabin interior (often called the "Boeing Sky Interior") with larger overhead bins and LED lighting, providing a more spacious feel. Southwest was a launch customer for the 737 MAX 8.
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Future Outlook: Southwest has a significant number of 737 MAX 7 aircraft on order, which are expected to start entering service in 2026 and will gradually replace the older 737-700s. The MAX 7 will seat around 148 passengers.
Step 3: Why an All-Boeing 737 Fleet? The "Southwest Effect"
You might be wondering why Southwest sticks to just one aircraft type. It's a cornerstone of their operational efficiency and a major factor in their ability to offer competitive fares.
3.1. Simplified Maintenance and Operations
Think of it like having one type of car in your garage instead of three different brands.
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Reduced Training Costs: Pilots and maintenance crews only need to be trained on one aircraft type, significantly lowering training expenses.
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Streamlined Maintenance: Having a common fleet means fewer spare parts are needed, and maintenance procedures are standardized, leading to faster turnaround times and reduced operational costs.
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Operational Flexibility: Any pilot certified on a 737 can fly any 737 in Southwest's fleet. This makes crew scheduling much more flexible and efficient, especially in the event of unexpected delays or cancellations.
3.2. Cost-Effectiveness and Customer Experience
Benefits that directly impact your wallet and your journey.
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Lower Operating Costs: The efficiencies gained from a single fleet type translate to lower operating costs for Southwest, which can then be passed on to customers in the form of lower fares.
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Consistent Experience: While there are minor differences between the 737 variants (especially with the newer MAX models), the overall cabin layout and seating experience remain largely consistent. This means you know what to expect when you step onto a Southwest plane.
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However, it's worth noting that while the single-type fleet offers many advantages, it also means Southwest cannot directly compete on routes requiring larger, long-haul aircraft like wide-body jets (e.g., transatlantic flights), which are used by many other major airlines.
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Step 4: Looking Beyond the Passenger Cabin – Cargo and More
While Southwest is primarily a passenger airline, their planes also carry a significant amount of cargo in their belly holds.
QuickTip: Slow down if the pace feels too fast.
4.1. Cargo Capacity
Those bags and packages have to go somewhere!
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The Boeing 737 aircraft, being narrow-body jets, have limited but effective cargo capacity. The lower deck compartments are used for checked luggage as well as freight.
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For instance, the Boeing 737-700 has a cargo volume of approximately 386 cubic feet (10.9 cubic meters), while the larger 737-800 can carry around 580 cubic feet (16.4 cubic meters) of cargo.
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Southwest Cargo plays a vital role in transporting everything from e-commerce packages to critical medical supplies across the country.
4.2. Dimensions in Context
Putting the numbers into perspective.
To give you a better sense of "how big" these planes are:
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Imagine a standard basketball court, which is 28 meters (92 feet) long. A Boeing 737-700 is slightly longer than that!
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The wingspan of a 737-800 is roughly the width of a five-lane highway.
These comparisons help illustrate the considerable size of these aircraft, even though they are considered "narrow-body" in the aviation world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Southwest Airlines Planes
Here are 10 related FAQs to help deepen your understanding:
How to identify which Boeing 737 variant I'm flying on Southwest?
Often, the easiest way is to check your flight details on the Southwest app or website, as they sometimes indicate the aircraft type. Visually, the 737-800 and MAX 8 are noticeably longer than the 737-700. The MAX aircraft also have distinctive, more swept-back winglets compared to the 737-700.
Tip: Take your time with each sentence.
How to tell the difference between a 737-800 and a 737 MAX 8?
While very similar in size, the 737 MAX 8 has slightly larger engines with a more pronounced "chevron" pattern on the nacelle (engine casing) and the aforementioned distinctive winglets. The interior "Boeing Sky Interior" with LED lighting is also a strong indicator of a MAX aircraft.
How to know the seating capacity of a Southwest plane?
Currently, Southwest 737-700s seat 143 passengers, and 737-800s and 737 MAX 8s seat 175 passengers. The upcoming 737 MAX 7 will seat around 148.
How to find out if my flight will have Wi-Fi on Southwest?
Most of Southwest's fleet is now Wi-Fi enabled. You can usually check the flight amenities section when booking or on the day of travel via the Southwest app.
How to choose the best seat on a Southwest 737?
Since Southwest has open seating, getting the "best" seat depends on your boarding position. A-group boarders typically have their pick. For more legroom, aim for exit rows or bulkhead seats (though these sometimes have limited under-seat storage). For a quieter ride, seats closer to the front tend to be less noisy than those at the back near the engines.
How to understand why Southwest doesn't use wider aircraft like other airlines?
Tip: Don’t rush — enjoy the read.
Southwest's business model focuses on short-to-medium haul, point-to-point flights within their network, primarily domestic. Wider aircraft (wide-body jets) are designed for long-haul, international, or high-capacity transcontinental routes, which do not align with Southwest's current operational strategy.
How to compare the size of a Southwest 737 to an Airbus A320?
The Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families are direct competitors and are very similar in size and capacity. Both are narrow-body aircraft. Specific variants within each family will have slight differences in length, wingspan, and passenger capacity.
How to learn more about the Boeing 737 family of aircraft?
You can find extensive information on Boeing's official website, aviation enthusiast websites like Simple Flying or Airways Magazine, and on Wikipedia.
How to understand Southwest's plans for fleet modernization?
Southwest is actively modernizing its fleet by phasing out older 737-700s and bringing in more fuel-efficient 737 MAX aircraft, including the MAX 7 and additional MAX 8s. This ensures a younger, greener, and more efficient fleet for the future.
How to find the typical cruising speed of a Southwest 737?
Boeing 737s typically cruise at speeds of around Mach 0.78 to Mach 0.80, which translates to roughly 850-890 kilometers per hour (530-550 miles per hour).
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