Southwest Airlines eyes revamp, sees MAX 7 service in 2027

Key facts

• Southwest Airlines expects Boeing 737 MAX 7 to enter revenue service in 2027.
• The MAX 7 is anticipated to be certified by the FAA about six months prior to its service entry.
• Southwest is studying airport lounges, trans-oceanic flying, and premium seating as part of a transformation.
• The carrier is considering Amazon's Leo satellite network for Wi-Fi, alongside Starlink.

Southwest Airlines anticipates that Boeing's 737 MAX 7 aircraft will commence revenue service in 2027, approximately six months after receiving certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This timeline was shared by Southwest's Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Watterson, in an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) annual summit in Rio de Janeiro. Watterson also indicated that the airline is actively evaluating several strategic initiatives as part of a broader transformation. These include the potential implementation of airport lounges, the possibility of offering trans-oceanic flights, and the introduction of more premium seating options. Additionally, Tony Roach, Southwest's chief customer and brand officer, mentioned that the carrier has not ruled out utilizing Amazon's Leo satellite network for in-flight Wi-Fi, even as it begins deploying Starlink-powered Wi-Fi services. The airline remains focused on the broader MAX family of aircraft.