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An interesting article on the thought processes used by SWA when considering whether to buy B738 aircraft.
Aug 16, 2010
By Andrew Compart
Southwest Airlines is considering the addition of Boeing 737-800 aircraft to its fleet and expects to make a decision by Dec. 1, which would allow for their delivery as soon as early 2012.
Southwest currently operates 737-300, -500 and -700 series aircraft with 122 to 137 seats. It has long resisted a bigger 737, in large part because federal rules require a fourth flight attendant on aircraft with more than 150 seats. A 737-800 in a "typical" one-class configuration can carry 189 passengers, Boeing says.
One of the issues Southwest will be evaluating is whether the strategic, revenue and unit-cost benefit of the bigger aircraft would offset the cost of using more flight attendants. Also, having a crew of six (including pilots) instead of five would affect crew scheduling, and pilots usually want higher pay for flying a larger aircraft.
Aug 16, 2010
By Andrew Compart
Southwest currently operates 737-300, -500 and -700 series aircraft with 122 to 137 seats. It has long resisted a bigger 737, in large part because federal rules require a fourth flight attendant on aircraft with more than 150 seats. A 737-800 in a "typical" one-class configuration can carry 189 passengers, Boeing says.
One of the issues Southwest will be evaluating is whether the strategic, revenue and unit-cost benefit of the bigger aircraft would offset the cost of using more flight attendants. Also, having a crew of six (including pilots) instead of five would affect crew scheduling, and pilots usually want higher pay for flying a larger aircraft.
