Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4 WL N230WN (msn 34592) (Colorado One) SNA (Michael B. Ing). Image: 957649.
Southwest Airlines has extended its flight schedule today through October 4, 2023, and continues adding more service and access to the airline’s network of 121 destinations across the United States, Caribbean, and Latin America.
More Flights Taking Off from Long Beach Responding to growing demand from Customers, Southwest® is providing additional opportunities to take Long Beach travelers to more places nonstop.
Beginning Date
Travel between Long Beach and
Frequency
March 9, 2023
Kansas City*
Daily
July 11, 2023
Colorado SpringsEl Paso
Daily Daily
July 15, 2023
Orlando*
Saturdays
Sept. 5, 2023
Albuquerque
Daily
*Previously Announced
Southwest is able to grow its Long Beach service by being awarded additional airport slots, which will offer up to 45 daily departures from Long Beach to 22 destinations across the airline’s expansive network.
Seasonal Additions for Late Summer and Early Fall
Southwest is adding new seasonal routes for travelers booking late summer and early fall escapes. Beginning Sept. 9, 2023, Customers can book nonstop service on Saturdays between Austin and Jacksonville, Fla., and between El Paso and Orlando.
Top Copyright Photo: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4 WL N230WN (msn 34592) (Colorado One) SNA (Michael B. Ing). Image: 957649.
Southwest Airlines is taking a step to enchorage the applications of new pilots.
The airline has lowered its requirements for new pilots. New pilots will now need only 500 ‘turbine’ hours rather than 1,000 hours according to the Wall Street Journal.
Top Copyright Photo: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-76V WL N564WN (msn 30244) FLL (Bruce Drum). Image: 105892.
Southwest Boeing 737 was cleared to take off on a runway at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Saturday, Ferbruary 4, at the same time a FedEx Express Boeing 767-300F was cleared to land on the same runway. The FedEx overflew the Southwest aircraft still on the runway.
The aircraft came within a 1,000 feet of each other.
The FAA is investigating.
More from Flightradar24:
The FAA and NTSB are investigating yesterday’s incident in Austin where a FedEx 767 was cleared to land and a Southwest 737 was cleared to depart the same runway. The FedEx 767 ended up overflying the Southwest flight that was still on the runway. Data: https://t.co/J6gs72Ymlypic.twitter.com/GnBybkhxpp
Southwest Airlines is proud to welcome Auburn University as a partner in Destination 225°, the airline’s First Officer development and recruitment program. With nearly 700 Professional Flight majors, Auburn University’s School of Aviation students will have access to a pathway that leads to becoming competitively qualified for a Commercial Pilot career at Southwest.
Auburn joins current Destination 225° University Partners Angelo State University, Arizona State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Texas Southwest University, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and the University of Oklahoma. These University Partners work with Southwest to train and support collegiate aviators accepted into the Destination 225° University Pathway.
Following the holiday travel chaos that canceled nearly 17,000 flights, Lester Holt of NBC News spoke one-on-one with Southwest CEO Bob Jordan on the Department of Transportation’s investigation and how the airline is trying to prevent future issues.
Southwest Airlines Company today reported its fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial results:
Fourth quarter net loss of $220 million, or $0.37 loss per diluted share
Fourth quarter net loss, excluding special items1, of $226 million, or $0.38 loss per diluted share
Full year net income of $539 million, or $0.87 per diluted share
Full year net income, excluding special items, of $723 million, or $1.16 per diluted share
Record fourth quarter and full year operating revenues of $6.2 billion and $23.8 billion, respectively
Liquidity2 of $13.3 billion, well in excess of debt outstanding of $8.1 billion
Bob Jordan, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Due to the operational disruptions in late December, which resulted in more than 16,700 flight cancellations, we incurred a fourth quarter pre-tax negative impact of approximately $800 million (or approximately $620 million on an after-tax basis), which resulted in a fourth quarter 2022 net loss. Despite the negative financial impacts in first quarter 2022 due to the Omicron variant and in fourth quarter 2022 due to the operational disruptions, we generated full year 2022 net income, excluding special items, of $723 million.
“With regard to the operational disruptions, I am deeply sorry for the impact to our Employees and Customers. We have swiftly taken steps to bolster our operational resilience and are undergoing a detailed review of the December events. In addition, our Board of Directors has established an Operations Review Committee that is working with the Company’s Management to help oversee the Company’s response. As part of our efforts, we are also conducting a third-party review of the December events and are reexamining the priority of technology and other investments planned in 2023.
“Based on current revenue and cost trends, we currently expect a first quarter 2023 net loss. However, we are encouraged by current booking trends in March 2023. Our 2023 plan continues to support solid profits with year-over-year margin expansion for full year 2023. We remain intent on achieving the long-term financial goals outlined at our December 2022 Investor Day. We also intend to regain our 51-year reputation for operational excellence. As ever, I am grateful for our Employees and their resilience and steadfast focus on Safety, Customer Service, and Teamwork. They remain the heart and soul of Southwest Airlines.”
Capacity, Fleet, and Capital Spending:
The Company’s full year 2022 capacity decreased 5.6 percent, compared with full year 2019, which was roughly one point lower than previous guidance of down 4.5 percent, due to flight cancellations from the December 2022 operational disruptions. Prior to the operational disruptions, the Company expected its 2023 capacity to increase approximately 15 percent, year-over-year. The Company’s 2023 capacity growth plans currently remain unchanged. However, as a result of lower capacity in 2022, the Company’s 2023 capacity is expected to increase in the range of 16 percent to 17 percent, year-over-year. As previously indicated, nearly all planned 2023 capacity additions will go to restoring the network and adding breadth and depth in existing Southwest markets.
The Company received 33 Boeing 737-8 aircraft during fourth quarter 2022, including two additional -8 aircraft deliveries than previously planned, for a total of 68 -8 aircraft deliveries in 2022, compared with previous guidance of 66. The Company ended 2022 with 770 aircraft, which reflects 26 -700 aircraft retirements, including five retirements in fourth quarter. Due to Boeing’s supply chain challenges and the current status of the -7 certification, the Company did not receive all 114 contractually scheduled 737 deliveries in 2022. The Company expects the remaining 46 contractual undelivered aircraft to shift into future years. Based on continued discussions with Boeing regarding the pace of expected deliveries, the Company continues to estimate it will receive approximately 100 737 aircraft deliveries in 2023, which differs from its contractual order book displayed in the table below. During first quarter 2023, the Company expects to receive approximately 30 -8 aircraft deliveries. The Company continues to expect to retire 27 -700 aircraft in 2023, including five -700 retirements in first quarter. As a result of the two additional -8 deliveries in fourth quarter 2022, the Company now expects to end 2023 with 843 aircraft, compared with its previous guidance of 841 aircraft.
The Company’s full year 2022 capital expenditures were $3.9 billion, relatively in line with the Company’s guidance of $4.0 billion. The Company continues to estimate its 2023 capital spending to be in the range of $4.0 billion to $4.5 billion, which assumes approximately 100 737 aircraft deliveries in 2023. The Company’s 2023 capital spending guidance continues to include approximately $1.2 billion in non-aircraft capital spending. Including both capital spending and operating expense budgets, the Company currently expects to spend approximately $1.3 billion in 2023 on technology investments, upgrades, and system maintenance.
Since the Company’s previous Investor Day disclosure on December 7, 2022, the Company converted four 2023 -7 firm orders to -8 firm orders in fourth quarter 2022. Additionally, in January 2023, the Company exercised 10 -7 options for delivery in 2024. The following tables provide further information regarding the Company’s contractual order book and compare its contractual order book as of January 26, 2023, with its previous order book as of December 7, 2022. For purposes of the delivery schedule below, the Company has included the remaining 46 of its 2022 contractual undelivered aircraft (14 -7s and 32 -8s) within its 2023 contractual commitments. Given current supply chain and aircraft delivery delays, the Company will continue working with Boeing to solidify future delivery dates.
Current 737 Contractual Order Book as of January 26, 2023:
The Boeing Company
-7 Firm Orders
-8 Firm Orders
-7 or -8 Options
Total
2023
31
105
—
136
(c)
2024
51
—
35
86
2025
30
—
56
86
2026
30
15
40
85
2027
15
15
6
36
2028
15
15
—
30
2029
20
30
—
50
2030
—
55
—
55
2031
—
—
—
—
192
(a)
235
(b)
137
564
(a) The delivery timing for the -7 is dependent on the FAA issuing required certifications and approvals to Boeing and the Company. The FAA will ultimately determine the timing of the -7 certification and entry into service, and the Company therefore offers no assurances that current estimations and timelines are correct.
(b) The Company has flexibility to designate firm orders or options as -7s or -8s, upon written advance notification as stated in the contract.
(c) The Company has included the remaining 46 of its 2022 contractual undelivered aircraft (14 -7s and 32 -8s) within its 2023 contractual commitments. Due to Boeing’s supply chain challenges and the current status of the -7 certification, the Company currently estimates approximately 100 737 aircraft deliveries in 2023. The 2023 contractual detail is as follows:
The Boeing Company
-7 Firm Orders
-8 Firm Orders
Total
2022 Contractual Deliveries Remaining
14
32
46
2023 Contractual Deliveries
17
73
90
2023 Contractual Total
31
105
136
Previous 737 Contractual Order Book as of December 7, 2022 (a):
The Boeing Company
-7 Firm Orders
-8 Firm Orders
-7 or -8 Options
Total
2022
14
100
—
114
2023
21
69
—
90
2024
41
—
45
86
2025
30
—
56
86
2026
30
15
40
85
2027
15
15
6
36
2028
15
15
—
30
2029
20
30
—
50
2030
—
55
—
55
2031
—
—
—
—
186
299
147
632
(a) The ‘Previous 737 Contractual Order Book’ is for reference and comparative purposes only. It should no longer be relied upon. See ‘Current 737 Contractual Order Book’ for the Company’s current aircraft order book.
Top Copyright Photo: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N1809U (msn 60188) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 958199.
SWAPA President Captain Casey Murray issued a call for a Strike Authorization Vote from the Association’s membership. This historic action on the part of the pilot union comes in the wake of Southwest’s largest meltdown and the utter lack of meaningful progress on a contract negotiation, with scheduling work rules and information technology asks in particular, that has been ongoing for more than three years.
Captain Murray stated, “While your Board of Directors and Executive Officers have had many strategic discussions on timing, I think it is best to consider what our customers have been through over the past several years and the past several weeks. It was the lack of discussion or commitment by our leadership team to rectify these issues for our passengers and our pilots that drove us to make the decision to carry forward on this path afforded to us by the Railway Labor Act.”
The vote will take place beginning on May 1 and will ultimately give the pilots the ability to strike once released to self-help. Murray continued, “We believe that May 1 provides a date that allows our union time to prepare and gives our customers time to book elsewhere, so that they can have confidence that their summer vacations, honeymoons, and family outings are assured.”
The vote will be counted at the end of May.
Southwest’s response:
The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association announced today its intention to call for a strike authorization vote on May 1, 2023.
“SWAPA’s call for an authorization vote does not affect Southwest’s operation or our ability to take care of our Customers,” said Adam Carlisle, Vice President Labor Relations at Southwest Airlines. “We will continue to follow the process outlined in the Railway Labor Act and work, under the assistance of the National Mediation Board, toward reaching an agreement that rewards our Pilots and places them competitively in the industry. The union’s potential vote does not hinder our ongoing efforts at the negotiating table. We are scheduled to resume mediation on January 24.”
As of October 2022, Southwest and the Union are engaged in negotiations with assigned mediators from the National Mediation Board. The mediators set the dates, location, and agenda for negotiating sessions and have continued to drive the parties toward closing out certain sections before addressing the more complex items in the contract.
The proposed vote does not affect operations in any way and is not an indication of an impending work stoppage. As always, the Southwest Team is focused on delivering a safe and reliable operation, along with our legendary Southwest Hospitality, to Customers.
Southwest Meltdown Detailed in New Podcast
New York Times podcast The Daily released this new podcast on January 10, covering the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown.
Their description of the episode reads as follows:
Air travel was a mess over the holidays — in the last 10 days of December, 30,000 flights were canceled. While every airline was affected, one stood out: Southwest, which over the past few decades has transformed how Americans fly, melted down. In the last 10 days of the year, it canceled as many flights as it had done in the previous 10 months. So what went wrong?
