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Southwest Airlines is facing questions about whether it might consider adding the Airbus A220 to its fleet, as ongoing certification delays for the Boeing 737 MAX 7 continue. The airline has a long-standing relationship with Boeing, having operated over 1,000 Boeing 737s since 1971 and currently flying 810 of these aircraft across various models. Southwest also has significant outstanding orders for additional MAX 7 and MAX 8 jets.
The possibility of introducing the A220 would represent a major shift for Southwest, which has benefited from operational efficiencies by maintaining a single aircraft type. Adding Airbus planes would require new investments in training and infrastructure, and could jeopardize existing commitments with Boeing.
As previously reported by DJs Aviation, Southwest considered the A220 during periods of uncertainty around the MAX program but ultimately decided against it due to potential disruptions and costs. Forbes noted that this consideration went beyond leveraging negotiations with Boeing; frustration with delays and reliability issues was reportedly growing at the executive level.
