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Southwest Airlines, recognized as the largest operator of Boeing 737 aircraft globally, operates a fleet of 810 planes. According to Flightradar24, it ranks as the fourth-largest airline worldwide. The airline's point-to-point model and shorter flights enable its aircraft to fly multiple legs per day, sometimes reaching up to seven flights. A report from the Daily Mail highlighted one plane flying 4,000 miles in 19 hours.
The fleet comprises three variants: Boeing 737-700, 737-800, and 737 MAX 8. An additional order for 474 aircraft includes the yet-to-be-certified Boeing 737 MAX 7 by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Southwest is set to receive another 188 MAX 8s and will acquire 286 MAX 7s once certified.
In response to post-pandemic recovery efforts, Southwest has expanded its fleet significantly. In 2021, it received an increase of 28 aircraft compared to the previous year. Deliveries rose further in subsequent years, with a notable delivery of 86 planes in the last year despite production challenges faced by Boeing.
