Texasflyer From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 79 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 years 10 months 3 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1190 times:
737's are great planes but I was wondering why southwest airlines doesn't use any other types of planes. I found a picture of a southwest 727, but nothing else. Especially now that they're flying long routes like PHX to BUF it would make sense to use some larger aircraft. Like I said I have no complaints, just wondering.
We confide in our strength, without boasting of it; we respect that of others, without fearing it. Thomas Jefferson
UAL747DEN From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 2226 posts, RR: 12 Reply 1, posted (8 years 10 months 3 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1164 times:
The reason WN is so successful is because they stick to what they know, and they know that the 737 works. Having only one aircraft type cuts down on costs. I think that it would do you some good to look at the Boeing website, the 737 family is a very broad one, there are aircraft in the family that will work for pretty much any route here in America. This is a silly question so that is all that I will say. Next time do a search before asking a question like this....
Swacle From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 352 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (8 years 10 months 3 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1162 times:
Very simple: Commonality. WN has no need and, presumably, no desire to add a new aircraft type, and thus all the costs that go with it, to the fleet. The 737's we fly have served us very well for over 33 years and the single aircraft type plays a vital role in keeping costs down.
As a side note, however, WN did actually almost buy 757's not long ago. Rumor has it that Boeing had 10 sitting that a buyer backed out on. They called Herb and offered him the 10 birds for the price of 737's. Herb, however, did not want anything to do with them unless he could get 25 of them at that price...Boeing did not extend the offer to 25 planes, so Herb said no thanks...oh well .
N243NW From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1502 posts, RR: 21 Reply 4, posted (8 years 10 months 3 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1158 times:
Hi-
Three words can be used to explain why WN owns 737s and nothing else: commonality, commonality, commonality. With one major aircraft type and only CFM engines (and a handful of JT8Ds) to deal with, maintenance costs can be slashed significantly, because mechanics don't have to be trained for larger or smaller planes and parts don't have to be ordered for a multitude of aircraft types. And hey, they've been one of the most successful US majors, especially after 9/11. And hey, if it works, don't try to fix it; the 737 fleet works perfectly for the time being.
Cheers,
-N243NW
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