Southwest Airlines (WN, Dallas Love Field) is planning to begin scheduled B737-8 operations during the last quarter of the year.
Airline Route reports the Texan LCC will deploy nine aircraft of the type into service from October 1, 2017, from cities that include Albuquerque International, Baltimore International, Boston, Chicago Midway, Columbus John Glenn, OH, Dallas Love Field, Denver International, Houston Hobby, Las Vegas Harry Reid, Los Angeles International, Nashville International, Orlando International, Phoenix Sky Harbor, and St. Louis Lambert International.
Earlier this year, Southwest's Chief Operating Officer Michael Van de Ven said the introduction of the MAX would coincide with the retirement of Southwest's fleet of B737-300s given the need for pilot conversion between the types. As it stands, the last B737 Classic commercial service is scheduled for September 30.
