Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said Wednesday that Southwest will change an existing order with Boeing and get 20 new 737-800s with delivery beginning in March 2012. Kelly said during a speech in New York that Southwest might use the 737-800 first at busy airports in the Northeast. But he said it could also be used to fly to Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean — destinations that Southwest doesn’t serve now. Southwest notified Boeing it will substitute 737-800s orders for ones it had already placed for the 737-700. Kelly said Southwest would retire older aircraft as it gets the new ones, and doesn’t plan to expand its fleet. The airline did not disclose financial terms of the switch. Southwest’s union pilots and flight attendants approved purchasing the 800 a few months ago which paved the way for Southwest to move forward. It could also mean more jobs because an extra cabin attendant will be required on flights using the 737-800. Traditionally the airline has paid cash for aircraft.
SOUTHWEST GOING INTERNATIONAL AS IT ORDERS 20 737-800S – WATCH THIS SPACE
