DALLAS, April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines® (NYSE: LUV) has selected the Customer seats for its
future Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX aircraft deliveries. The carrier,
in partnership with Boeing, will be the first to roll out the new
seats, beginning mid-2016, on new deliveries of its Boeing 737-800.
B/E Aerospace, who designed and engineered the seats, unveiled the
new product today at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany.
In 2011, Southwest Airlines led the industry by announcing it
would be the launch customer of Boeing's new 737 MAX aircraft with
the first delivery expected in 2017. As the operator of the largest
Boeing 737 fleet in the world, Southwest will continue with
tradition and lead the industry as the launch customer for the next
generation in aircraft seating. A 3D animation and photos of the
new seats are available for viewing or download at
www.swamedia.com/new-seats.
"The new aircraft seats are the widest economy seats available
in the single-aisle 737 market, and offer a unique design that
gives our Customers what they asked for: more space," said
Bob Jordan, Southwest's Executive
Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. "Serving as the launch
customer for this seat is just one of several upcoming milestones
related to our bold, new look launched in September of last year,
and is specifically aimed at enhancing our Customer
Experience."
The newly-designed seats, which will be seen on new 737-800s
beginning mid-2016 join other significant brand milestones,
including cabin interior updates on Southwest's 737-700s which will
begin later this year, and continued 737-800 deliveries in the new
Heart livery. The industry-leading seats are wider than current
seats, and include an adjustable headrest and increased legroom, as
well as more personal stowage, while decreasing the overall weight
of the product.
"The new, lighter seat allows us to continue to improve our fuel
efficiency," said Mike Van de Ven,
Southwest's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
"This seat selection is just one more reason we are enthusiastic
about our fleet modernization plans."
The Company's ongoing fleet modernization effort also includes
the transition of AirTran's Boeing 717-200 aircraft out of the
fleet, the replacement of Boeing Classic aircraft with Boeing
Next-Generation 737 aircraft, and the projected launch of the 737
MAX aircraft in 2017.
When it enters service, the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft—a brand new
aircraft—will offer improved fuel efficiency, along with
significantly reduced emission levels, and will provide the lowest
operating costs among single-aisle aircraft. The seats are the
first element of the 737 MAX aircraft interior to be released by
Boeing and Southwest to the public. The Southwest seat color—a
variant of Southwest's Bold Blue—has been chosen, and the seats
will be upholstered with eLeather, a composition leather made of
natural leather fibers. eLeather, which made its debut on Southwest
aircraft in 2012, is manufactured using eco-friendly technology
including state-of-the-art techniques which closed-loop recycles 95
percent of the processed water, and converts its own waste streams
into energy feeding back into the process.
"Working closely with Southwest Airlines, we determined what the
customer wanted, and our talented designers and engineers responded
to that need," said Mark Vaughan,
B/E Aerospace's Vice President, Sales & Marketing. "We're proud
to have partnered with Southwest since 1971 to create innovative
products that customers will enjoy for years to come."
A 3D animation and photos of the seat are available for viewing
or download here, and the airline has activated socially on
Facebook and Twitter around the seat selection. Sample seats will
be available for Customers and Employees to view later this
fall.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without
limitation, statements related to (i) the Company's selection of
new seats for the new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and certain 737-800
aircraft, including the timing of the implementation of the new
seats, the anticipated benefits associated with the new seats, and
the Company's financial expectations with respect to the new seats;
(ii) the Company's fleet plans and expectations; and (iii) the
Company's financial expectations with respect to the Boeing 737 MAX
aircraft. These forward-looking statements are based on the
Company's current intent, expectations, and projections and are not
guarantees of future performance. These statements involve
risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are
difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary
materially from those expressed in or indicated by them.
Factors include, among others, (i) changes in demand for the
Company's services and other changes in consumer behavior; (ii) the
impact of economic conditions, fuel prices, actions of competitors,
and other factors beyond the Company's control on the Company's
business decisions, plans, and strategies; (iii) the Company's
ability to timely and effectively prioritize its strategic
initiatives and related expenditures; and (iv) the Company's
dependence on third parties.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 44th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV)
continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with
exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 46,000 Employees
to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest
operates more than 3,600 flights a day, serving 94 destinations
across the United States and six
additional countries. Southwest service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, begins in
June 2015; and subject to government
approvals, service to Belize City,
Belize, begins in October 2015.
Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent
data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms
of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates
the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of
which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate
connectivity while over the United States. That connectivity
enables Customers to use their personal devices to access streaming
music provided by Beats Music or to view video on-demand movies and
television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV
compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest is the only
major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free® (first and second
checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply) to
everyone, and there are never reservation change fees, although
fare differences might apply. In 2014, the airline proudly unveiled
a bold new look: Heart. The new aircraft livery,
airport experience, and logo, showcase the dedication of Southwest
Employees to connect Customers with what's important in their
lives.
From its first flights on June 18,
1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented
affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of
Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and
increase in passenger traffic whenever the carrier enters new
markets. With 42 consecutive years of profitability,
Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known
for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's
performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the
communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and
the planet. The 2013 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at
Southwest.com/citizenship.
Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by
phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines