Aviation News

2012-02-23

Photos: First Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 Takes Off

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Written by: Phil Derner Jr.
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Southwest's first Boeing 737-800 N8301J rolls out for departure

The second largest plane ever to wear Southwest Airlines paint made its first flight today as Boeing pilots took the 737-800 (N8301J) for a test drive over Washington.

Southwest modified an order for more of their their mainstay 737-700s in late 2010 to include 20 of the larger, 175-seat -800 models.

All twenty 737-800s are expected to be delivered to Southwest this year, all of which will sport Boeing’s Sky Interior, a major makeover for the 737, an aircraft type that first flew in 1967.

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Photos by David Lilienthal

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story indicated that the 737-800 was the largest type ever operated by Southwest. The Boeing 727-200 was in fact larger.



About the Author

Phil Derner Jr.
Phil Derner founded NYCAviation in 2003. A lifetime aviation enthusiast that grew up across the water from La Guardia Airport, Phil has aviation experience as a Loadmaster, Operations Controller and Flight Dispatcher. He owns and operates NYCAviation and performs duties as an aviation expert through writing, consulting, public speaking and media appearances. You can reach him by email or follow him on Twitter.




 
 

 

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  • JA

    Was the once used B727-200 not larger?

    • You’re right. We’ve corrected the story.