Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines at a glance
Southwest Airlines carries more domestic passengers than any other US airline, flying an all-Boeing 737 fleet of about 800 aircraft point-to-point across 117+ airports. Founded in Texas in 1967, it invented the low-cost formula the whole industry copied, then spent five decades refusing to change it.
That era is over: under pressure from activist investor Elliott, Southwest has torn up its playbook, ending open seating in favor of assigned seats from January 2026, charging for checked bags for the first time, adding extra-legroom rows and red-eye flights, and opening international partnerships with Icelandair, China Airlines and, from 2026, Turkish Airlines.
Fleet
Southwest flies only Boeing 737s, the single-type formula it invented, with the smaller MAX 7, still awaiting certification, set to replace its 737-700s.
| Aircraft | Role | Fleet Size |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-700 | Legacy workhorse being retired | ~330 |
| Boeing 737-800 | Core of the NG fleet | ~200 |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | Current deliveries | ~250 |
| Boeing 737 MAX 7 | On order, awaiting certification | 300+ ordered |
Hub & route network
Southwest runs a point-to-point network rather than a classic hub system, with Dallas Love Field as its home and Denver, Las Vegas, Chicago Midway, Baltimore and Phoenix among its largest operations across 117+ airports in the US and near-international markets.Alliance & partnerships
Long allergic to partnerships, Southwest reversed course: Icelandair and China Airlines connections launched in 2025, with Turkish Airlines to follow in 2026 as its network opens to the world.Group structure
Southwest Airlines Co. is an independent public company, the largest domestic US carrier by passengers; activist investor Elliott reshaped its board in 2024, accelerating the strategy overhaul now under way.Full specifications
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Frequently asked questions
No. After more than 50 years, Southwest switched to assigned seating on flights from January 2026, alongside new extra-legroom seats.
Not anymore. In 2025 Southwest began charging for checked bags for most fares, ending its most famous policy, though elite members and premium fares retain allowances.
Only Boeing 737s, about 800 of them, with the 737 MAX 7 on order to replace its older -700s once certified.