Tag Archives: 737-8

Southwest Airlines’ Destination 225° Program, N8891Q now wears special markings

Southwest Airlines explains:

What is Destination 225°?

On a compass rose, 225° is the southwest heading, and Destination 225° was developed to lead aspiring pilots to Southwest Airlines. You may have heard that there’s a potential pilot shortage across the industry. With demand for qualified and skilled pilots only increasing, Destination 225° provides several pathways designed to meet future aviators where they are at their current experience level and create opportunities to take them to the right seat of our Southwest aircraft.

  • Destination 225° Cadet Pathway
  • The Destination 225° Cadet pathway is an ab initio—“from the beginning”—program. If you don’t have previous experience as a pilot, this four- to five-year program is for you. Southwest is proud to offer this program in a partnership with CAE, a worldwide leader in training for the civil aviation, defense and security, and healthcare markets. Our program partners for the Cadet pathway include XOJET Aviation and Jet Linx.
  • Learn more
  • Destination 225° University Pathway
  • The Destination 225° University pathway is designed for collegiate aviators who attend a Southwest partner university or complete a Southwest Campus Reach Internship. Southwest is working to partner with four universities to offer this transition training: University of Nebraska at Omaha, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, and Arizona State University. Our University pathway corporate flying partners include XOJET Aviation, Jet Linx, and iAero Group’s Swift Air.
  • Learn more
  • Destination 225° Military Pathway
  • This pathway bridges the gap for active military pilots who do not yet meet the minimums to start their career as an airline pilot. If you have transitioned to a staff assignment or are a rotor/powerlift military pilot, this pathway could help you develop the skills and experience for fixed-wing airline operations. Southwest is proud to offer this transition training through a partnership with Bell Murray Aerospace to meet you at your current experience level and help you prepare for your next career. Bell Murray Aerospace, an FAA 142 Training Center, is a company dedicated to exploring training opportunities in all areas of aerospace, including individual pilot training, corporate, and military aviation operations. The corporate partners for the Military pathway are iAero Group’s Swift Air, XOJET Aviation, and Jet Linx.
  • Learn more
  • Destination 225° Employee Pathway
  • At Southwest, we’re known for our incredible Employees. We are proud to offer Employee pathways in a partnership with CAE, a worldwide leader in training for the civil aviation, defense and security, and healthcare markets, and US Aviation Academy. Our corporate partners for the Employee pathway are XOJET Aviation, Jet Linx, and iAero Group’s Swift Air. If you’re a Southwest Employee, please see SWALife to learn more.

Why is Southwest Airlines introducing Destination 225°?

Today, we’re fortunate to attract top candidates to fill our Pilot positions at Southwest Airlines; however, we see a potential shortage ahead. There are many contributing factors, from barriers to entry (money, time) to military draw down to heavy retirements hitting the industry in the next decade. Destination 225° will help us reduce our dependency on the open market by creating opportunities for future pilots to be trained on how to fly and, specifically, how to fly the Southwest Way.

Is there a fee to apply to the Destination 225° pathways?

There is no cost to apply; however, candidates advancing through the selection process will be responsible for all costs incurred, including but not limited to:

  • Obtaining a USA DOT/FAA First-Class Medical Certificate
  • Completing an aptitude assessment
  • Travel & accommodations to and from the testing center
  • Costs associated with the testing and interview process (including travel accommodations)

Once selected, participants will be responsible for all associated costs of the program.

What is the anticipated cost to go through Destination 225°?

The cost for each pathway varies.

  • University: Learn more by visiting our university partners’ websites.
  • Cadet:  The price tag for the Cadet pathway is very competitive—less than $100k.
  • Military: The military pathway is designed to meet candidates at their level of experience, so the cost will vary.


Can I use the GI Bill to pay for Destination 225°?

We’re excited that Destination 225° provides avenues for veterans who want to pursue a career as a Southwest Airlines Pilot. Because the pathways vary, we are still determining where the GI Bill might apply.

Can I work while participating in a Destination 225° pathway?

The Destination 225° pathways are full-time commitments and will require 100 percent focus during the training period. Once the initial training stages are complete (approximately 12 months for the Cadet pathway), participants may have their first opportunity to get paid while flying!

I’m a Southwest Employee, but not a Pilot. Can I apply to the Destination 225° program?

Yes! At Southwest Airlines, Employees are encouraged to consider pursuing the career of their dreams, whether on land or in the air. Employee-specific information on Destination 225° is on SWALife >My Life >Career >Destination 225°.

Will I need to relocate for Destination 225°?

Yes … and maybe more than once. For example, the Cadet pathway training is based in Phoenix, and you may need to relocate to a different city while building your flight hours.Each pathway has different requirements, but you should expect to relocate during your time in Destination 225°.

Can I visit the training facility prior to joining Destination 225°?

Facility visits differ for each pathway. As you advance through the interview stage of the selection process, you are welcome to ask more about your particular pathway and possible facility visits.

Do the Destination 225° pathways guarantee a job at Southwest Airlines?

While a job at Southwest Airlines is not guaranteed, Destination 225° was created to equip participants with the skills needed to start their career as a Southwest First Officer and is designed to build a pipeline of talented Pilots for Southwest. Neither acceptance into nor successfully completing the program guarantees employment or re-employment at Southwest Airlines.

Can I fail out of Destination 225°?

Our Destination 225° pathways are designed to set you up for a successful flying career through a rigorous and challenging training program. However, failure to successfully complete any of the requirements or training areas or meet the expectations of Southwest Airlines or its partners may lead to removal from the program.


Pathway-specific questions:

I have previous flight experience; can I still apply to the Cadet pathway?

You can, but the Cadet pathway is designed for someone starting without previous flight experience. Prior flight time does not provide any advantages during the application and selection process or reduce the cost of training.

What if I want to participate in the University pathway, but my university isn’t among your partners?

As we launch this exciting program, we selected these particular university partners for a number of reasons, to include the quality of their program and geography. But we expect our number of university partners to continue to grow!In the meantime, aviators from other university programs are encouraged to apply to our Campus Reach college internships. A successful internship can lead to acceptance into the Destination 225° University pathway, though applicants will still be expected to meet the basic requirements of each program, respectively.


​​​​​​​Becoming a Southwest Pilot:

What are the qualifications and experience required to become a Pilot at Southwest Airlines?

Learn more about the qualifications to become a First Officer at Southwest Airlines at https://careers.southwestair.com/pilots.

I am currently a pilot, and would like to work at Southwest Airlines. Where can I find more information?

Learn more about the Southwest Airlines First Officer position and application process here: https://careers.southwestair.com/pilots.

I have the required flight experience today and have applied to be a Southwest Pilot. Is there still a possibility I’ll get in through the traditional hiring process, or should I apply for a Destination 225° pathway?

Individuals who already meet the qualifications and experience required to become a Pilot at Southwest Airlines should apply through the traditional hiring process. Find more information at https://careers.southwestair.com/pilots.In particular, the Cadet pathway is designed for someone without previous flight experience, so prior flight time does not provide any advantages during the application process or reduce the cost of training.

How are Southwest Airlines First Officers paid?

Our Pilots are guaranteed a certain amount of Trips for Pay each month and are paid for each trip based on the number of years they have been with Southwest and in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Pilots are also paid a per diem based on the amount of time they are away from base.Pilots have “trading privileges,” which allow them to pick-up, trade, and give away their trips at their own discretion.More than just a paycheck, a career at Southwest Airlines comes with several WorkPerks, from Southwest’s legendary Culture to travel privileges for Employees and their eligible dependents. Southwest offers an excellent benefits package, including currently a very generous non-elective 15 percent contribution in the 401(k) plan that vests automatically, subject to certain compensation limits, as well as a ProfitSharing Plan.

Where are the Southwest Pilot domiciles?

Southwest domiciles—also referred to as bases—are where a Pilot’s trip typically begins and ends. Our domicile locations include ATL, BWI, MDW, DAL, DEN, HOU, LAS, LAX, OAK, MCO, and PHX.Southwest Pilots bid on their domiciles. Opportunities in each city are based on demand, and this process takes into account seniority, so not all locations may be available during your initial domicile selection.

Top Photo: Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N8891Q (msn 42683) now wears Destination 225° special markings.

First Looks: The first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 for Jeju Air

Jeju Air will soon take delivery of its first Boeing 737-8 MAX 8

The first MAX 8 for Jeju Air, registered as HL8523, (msn 66538, ln 8993), had it first flight on July 27 from Renton (RTN) to Moses Lake (MWH) and to Boeing Field (BFI) in Seattle.

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker.

American adds its 50th Boeing 737 MAX

American Airlines has added its 50th Boeing 737 MAX

Southwest’s quarterly net profit falls to $683 million in the second quarter, warns of higher full-year costs

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N1806U (msn 60652) HNL (Michael B. Ing). Image: 961023.

Southwest Airlines Company today reported its second quarter 2023 financial results:

  • Net income of $683 million, or $1.08 per diluted share
  • Net income, excluding special items1, of $693 million, or $1.09 per diluted share
  • Record quarterly operating revenues of $7.0 billion
  • Liquidity2 of $13.2 billion, well in excess of debt outstanding of $8.0 billion

Bob Jordan, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased to report a solid quarter amid continued strong demand. We generated all-time record quarterly operating revenues, produced a very strong operational performance, and delivered healthy net income. The resilient demand environment, especially for close-in leisure travel, drove second quarter 2023 operating revenue per available seat mile to the high end of our expectations. Further, we continue to expect $1.0 billion to $1.5 billion of pre-tax profit contribution in full year 2023 from strategic initiatives outlined at our Investor Day last December. Based on current revenue and cost trends, we expect record operating revenue and a profitable outlook again for third quarter 2023 and continue to expect year-over-year margin expansion for full year 2023.

“Our People delivered a very smooth and reliable operation in second quarter 2023, despite disruptive weather. We operated a record number of flights and carried a record number of Customers and bags, all while achieving a completion factor of more than 99 percent—our highest second quarter performance in the past 10 years. This solid operating performance has continued into July, where we have been able to minimize cancellations amid continued weather challenges throughout the network.”I am very proud of, and grateful for, our amazing People and the great progress they made towards our goals in the first half of the year. To name only a few, we have largely restored our network, developed and are on-track with a robust winter operations plan, implemented a new revenue management system, and added necessary staffing to fully utilize our fleet, ahead of schedule, by the end of third quarter.”Although our network is largely restored, it is not yet optimized. We are working to align our network, fleet plans, and staffing to better reflect the current business environment. While business revenues continue to recover, they are not back to pre-pandemic levels—therefore, we are revamping our 2024 flight schedules to reflect post-pandemic changes to Customer travel patterns. We estimate these meaningful network optimization efforts and the continued maturation of our development markets will contribute roughly $500 million in incremental year-over-year pre-tax profits in 2024, which we believe will support another year of margin expansion. As ever, we are committed to our goals of achieving industry-leading operational and financial performance, boosting our operational resilience, and widening our Customer Service advantage by enhancing our digital Hospitality.”

Guidance and Outlook:

The following tables introduce or update selected financial guidance for third quarter and full year 2023, as applicable:

3Q 2023 Estimation
RASM (a), year-over-yearDown 3% to 7%
ASMs (b), year-over-yearUp ~12%
Economic fuel costs per gallon1,3$2.55 to $2.65
Fuel hedging premium expense per gallon$0.05
Fuel hedging cash settlement gains per gallon$0.08
ASMs per gallon (fuel efficiency)79 to 80
CASM-X (c), year-over-year1,4Up 3.5% to 6.5%
Scheduled debt repayments (millions)~$8
Interest expense (millions)~$63
 2023 EstimationPrevious estimation
ASMs (b), year-over-yearUp 14% to 15%No change
Economic fuel costs per gallon1,3$2.70 to $2.80$2.60 to $2.70
Fuel hedging premium expense per gallon$0.06No change
Fuel hedging cash settlement gains per gallon$0.09$0.10
CASM-X, year-over-year1,4Down 1% to 2%Down 2% to 4%
Scheduled debt repayments (millions)~$83~$85
Interest expense (millions)~$255~$250
Aircraft (d)814No change
Effective tax rate23% to 24%No change
Capital spending (billions) ~$3.5No change
(a) Operating revenue per available seat mile (“RASM” or “unit revenues”).
(b) Available seat miles (“ASMs” or “capacity”). The Company’s flight schedule is currently published for sale through March 6, 2024. The Company continues to expect fourth quarter 2023 capacity to increase in the range of 20 percent to 22 percent, year-over-year, and currently expects first quarter 2024 capacity to increase in the range of 14 percent to 16 percent, year-over-year, of which nearly 90 percent is from the carryover effect of capacity growth in 2023.
(c) Operating expenses per available seat mile, excluding fuel and oil expense, special items, and profitsharing (“CASM-X”).
(d) Aircraft on property, end of period. The Company continues to plan for approximately 70 Boeing 737-8 (“-8”) aircraft deliveries and 26 Boeing 737-700 (“-700”) aircraft retirements in 2023, ending the year with 814 aircraft. The delivery schedule for the Boeing 737-7 (“-7”) is dependent on the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) issuing required certifications and approvals to The Boeing Company (“Boeing”) and the Company. The FAA will ultimately determine the timing of the -7 certification and entry into service, and Boeing may continue to experience supply chain challenges, so the Company therefore offers no assurances that current estimations and timelines are correct.

Revenue Results and Outlook:

  • Second quarter 2023 operating revenues were an all-time quarterly record of $7.0 billion, a 4.6 percent increase, year-over-year
  • Second quarter 2023 RASM decreased 8.3 percent, year-over-year—towards the high end of the Company’s previous guidance range due to strong close-in leisure demand in June

The Company’s second quarter 2023 revenue performance was an all-time quarterly record driven primarily by strong leisure demand. Second quarter 2023 managed business revenues also improved sequentially compared with first quarter 2023, which was attributable to growth in corporate accounts and passengers as the Company continued to see gains in business travel market share. The Rapid Rewards® program continues to be a point of strength, with record second quarter new Member additions, a record level of Member engagement, and record second quarter spend on the Company’s co-branded Chase® Visa credit card.

Second quarter 2023 also saw a record for ancillary revenue.Second quarter 2023 RASM decreased 8.3 percent, year-over-year, driven largely by a five point headwind from approximately $300 million of additional breakage revenue in second quarter 2022. The higher breakage in second quarter 2022 was driven by higher than normal flight credits issued during the pandemic that were set to expire unused, prior to the Company’s July 2022 policy change to eliminate expiration dates on qualifying flight credits5. The percentage of breakage revenue normalized to historical levels beginning in third quarter 2022.Thus far, the Company has experienced strong leisure demand and yields for July travel. Based on current booking and revenue trends, the Company anticipates a third quarter 2023 RASM decline of 3 percent to 7 percent, year-over-year, driven by challenging comparisons from the pent-up travel demand surge in 2022, and higher than seasonally-normal growth, as the Company works to close out the restoration of the network and normalizes the utilization of the fleet.

Fuel Costs and Outlook:

  • Second quarter 2023 economic fuel costs were $2.60 per gallon1—slightly above the Company’s previous expectations as a result of higher than expected refinery margins—and included $0.06 per gallon in premium expense and $0.09 per gallon in favorable cash settlements from fuel derivative contracts
  • Second quarter 2023 fuel efficiency improved 3.3 percent, year-over-year, primarily due to more -8 aircraft, the Company’s most fuel-efficient aircraft, as a percentage of its fleet
  • As of July 19, 2023, the fair market value of the Company’s fuel derivative contracts settling in third quarter 2023 through the end of 2026 was an asset of $373 million

The Company’s multi-year fuel hedging program continues to provide protection against spikes in energy prices. The Company’s current fuel derivative contracts contain a combination of instruments based in West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude oil, and refined products, such as heating oil. The economic fuel price per gallon sensitivities3 provided in the table below assume the relationship between Brent crude oil and refined products based on market prices as of July 19, 2023.

Estimated economic fuel price per gallon,
including taxes and fuel hedging premiums
Average Brent Crude Oil
price per barrel		3Q 20234Q 2023
$60$2.00 – $2.10$2.00 – $2.10
$70$2.30 – $2.40$2.30 – $2.40
Current Market (a)$2.55 – $2.65$2.50 – $2.60
$90$2.80 – $2.90$2.80 – $2.90
$100$3.00 – $3.10$3.00 – $3.10
$110$3.25 – $3.35$3.25 – $3.35
Fair market value$47 million$55 million
Estimated premium costs$30 million$30 million
(a) Brent crude oil average market prices as of July 19, 2023, was $79 per barrel for each of third quarter and fourth quarter 2023.

In addition, the Company is providing its maximum percentage of estimated fuel consumption6 covered by fuel derivative contracts in the following table: 

PeriodMaximum fuel hedged percentage (a)
202351 %
202454 %
202541 %
2026Less than 10%
(a) Based on the Company’s current available seat mile plans. The Company is currently 49 percent hedged for third quarter 2023 and 47 percent hedged for fourth quarter 2023.

Non-Fuel Costs and Outlook:

  • Second quarter 2023 operating expenses increased 12.1 percent, year-over-year, to $6.2 billion
  • Second quarter 2023 operating expenses, excluding fuel and oil expense, special items, and profitsharing1, increased 22.6 percent, year-over-year
  • Second quarter 2023 CASM-X increased 7.5 percent, year-over-year— towards the unfavorable end of the Company’s previous guidance due to additional market wage rate accruals for open collective bargaining agreements
  • Accrued $121 million of profitsharing expense in second quarter 2023 for the benefit of Employees

The majority of the Company’s second quarter 2023 CASM-X increase, year-over-year, was attributable to general inflationary cost pressures, in particular higher labor rates for all Employee workgroups, including market wage rate accruals, as well as the timing of planned maintenance expenses for the Company’s Boeing 737-800 fleet.The Company expects third quarter 2023 CASM-X to increase in the range of 3.5 percent to 6.5 percent, year-over-year, primarily due to continued inflationary cost pressures, including higher labor rates for all Employee workgroups and increased market wage rate accruals. Overall, nominal cost trends are expected to remain fairly consistent sequentially from second quarter 2023.The Company currently expects its full year 2023 CASM-X to decrease in the range of 1 percent to 2 percent, year-over-year. The one and a half points of pressure, relative to prior expectations, are driven primarily by an increase in market wage rate accruals for the Company’s open collective bargaining agreements as the Company continues to adjust to the dynamic market environment.Second quarter 2023 other expenses decreased $213 million, year-over-year. The decrease was primarily due to a $116 millionincrease in interest income driven by higher interest rates, coupled with a $28 million decrease in interest expense driven by various debt repurchases and repayments throughout 2022.

Capacity, Fleet, and Capital Spending:

The Company’s flight schedule is currently published for sale through March 6, 2024. Taking into consideration the efforts to revamp its 2024 flight schedules, the Company currently expects first quarter 2024 capacity to increase in the range of 14 percent to 16 percent, year-over-year, of which nearly 90 percent is from the carryover effect of capacity growth in 2023.

The Company expects its remaining 2024 year-over-year capacity growth to ease sequentially each quarter relative to first quarter 2024 levels as the Company works toward its long-term goal of mid-single-digit year-over-year capacity growth.

During second quarter 2023, the Company received 21 -8 aircraft and retired 11 -700 aircraft, ending second quarter with 803 aircraft.

The Company continues to plan for approximately 70 -8 aircraft deliveries from Boeing and 26 -700 retirements in 2023.

The Company’s planned deliveries continue to differ from its order book displayed in the table below. As a result of the currently planned aircraft deliveries and retirements, the Company continues to expect to end the year with 814 aircraft.

The Company’s second quarter 2023 capital expenditures were $925 million, driven primarily by aircraft-related capital spending, as well as technology, facilities, and operational investments.

The Company continues to estimate its 2023 capital spending to be roughly $3.5 billion, which includes approximately $2.3 billion in aircraft capital spending, assuming approximately 70 -8 aircraft deliveries in 2023, and $1.2 billion in non-aircraft capital spending, including tens of millions in operational investments related to the Company’s winter operations plan.

The Company also estimates its total annual capital spending to be approximately $4 billion, on average, for the five years 2023 through 2027.Since the Company’s previous disclosure on April 27, 2023, the Company exercised 19 -7 options for delivery in 2024 and converted 16 2024 -7 firm orders to -8 firm orders.

The following tables provide further information regarding the Company’s order book and compare its order book as of July 27, 2023 with its previous order book as of April 27, 2023.

For purposes of the delivery schedule below, the Company continues to include the remaining 46 of its 2022 contractual undelivered aircraft (14 -7s and 32 -8s) within its 2023 commitments. The Company is working to reflow its order book with Boeing in a way that provides orderly and measured growth in 2024 and beyond.

Current 737 Order Book as of July 27, 2023:
The Boeing Company
-7 Firm Orders-8 Firm Orders-7 or -8 OptionsTotal
202331105—136(c)
20245135—86
202530—5686
202630154085
20271515636
20281515—30
20292030—50
2030—55—55
2031————
192(a)270(b)102564
(a) The delivery timing for the -7 is dependent on the FAA issuing required certifications and approvals to Boeing and the Company. The FAA will ultimately determine the timing of the -7 certification and entry into service, and the Company therefore offers no assurances that current estimations and timelines are correct.
(b) The Company has flexibility to designate firm orders or options as -7s or -8s, upon written advance notification as stated in the contract.
(c) Includes 51 -8 deliveries received year-to-date through June 30, 2023. In addition, the Company has included the remaining 46 of its 2022 contractual undelivered aircraft (14 -7s and 32 -8s) within its 2023 commitments. The Company continues to plan for approximately 70 -8 aircraft deliveries in 2023. The 2023 order book detail is as follows:
The Boeing Company
-7
Firm Orders		-8
Firm Orders		Total
2022 Contractual Deliveries Remaining143246
2023 Contractual Deliveries177390
2023 Total31105136
Previous 737 Order Book as of April 27, 2023 (a): 
The Boeing Company
-7 Firm Orders-8 Firm Orders-7 or -8 OptionsTotal
202331105—136
202448191986
202530—5686
202630154085
20271515636
20281515—30
20292030—50
2030—55—55
2031————
189254121564
(a) The ‘Previous 737 Order Book’ is for reference and comparative purposes only. It should no longer be relied upon. See ‘Current 737 Order Book’ for the Company’s current aircraft order book.

Liquidity and Capital Deployment:

  • The Company ended second quarter 2023 with $12.2 billion in cash and short-term investments and a fully available revolving credit line of $1.0 billion
  • The Company had a net cash position7 of $4.2 billion, and adjusted debt to invested capital (“leverage”)8 of 46 percent as of June 30, 2023
  • The Company has returned $214 million to its Shareholders through the payment of dividends year-to-date as of June 30, 2023
  • The Company paid $8 million during second quarter 2023 to retire debt and finance lease obligations, consisting entirely of scheduled lease payments

Top Copyright Photo: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N1806U (msn 60652) HNL (Michael B. Ing). Image: 961023.

Southwest Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Southwest Airlines aircraft photo gallery (current livery)

LOT Polish Airlines supports the 3rd European Games in Krakow with a special logo jet

LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 SP-LVH (msn 43306) PMI (Javier Rodriguez).

LOT Polish Airlines is supporting the Third European Games in Krakow, Poland with a special logo jet.

Kraków is the stage for the third European Games. Athletes from 48 countries, competing in 29 disciplines, will converge on this prestigious event that will become a key stop for the continent’s athletes on their #RoadToParis. 

From Wikipedia:

The 3rd European Games (Polish: III Igrzyska Europejskie, Igrzyska Europejskie 2023), informally known as Kraków-Małopolska 2023, is an international multi-sport event that is being held from June 21 to July 2, 2023 in Kraków and Małopolska, Poland.

This is the first time that Poland has hosted the European Games. All Olympic sports held at the 2023 European Games will provide qualification opportunities for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Above Copyright Photo: LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 SP-LVH (msn 43306) PMI (Javier Rodriguez).

Flair Airlines leases two new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital

Flair Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-GFOF (msn 44302) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 960801.

Flair Airlines has announced it has leased two new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The leases were facilitated by SMBC Aviation Capital, the world’s second largest aircraft leasing company. These Canadian-registered aircraft will enter service and fly Flair’s summer 2023 schedule, which has grown 35% year-over-year. 

One aircraft (C-FBLG) was delivered to Flair Airlines on June 13 and a second aircraft will follow later this summer. The aircraft are delivered new to Flair Airlines from Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

This announcement follows Flair Airlines’ recent announcements related to its operational performance. The airline has committed to releasing monthly operational performance metrics, including completion factor, on-time performance, load factor, passengers and emissions — a Canadian first. In May 2023, Flair Airlines demonstrated a 99.1% completion factor, on-time performance that leads the Canadian airline industry (82.1% of flights arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time), coupled with a load factor of 90%. In May 2023, more than 436,000 passengers experienced Canada’s leading ultra-low cost airline. 

Top Copyright Photo: Flair Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-GFOF (msn 44302) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 960801.

Flair Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Flair Airlines aircraft photo gallery

Ural Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 VP-BHR (msn 66147) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 960773.

Ural Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 VP-BHR (msn 66147) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 960773.

Will not be delivered.

Copyright Photo: Ural Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 VP-BHR (msn 66147) BFI (Brian Worthington). Image: 960773.

Qatar Airways Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 A7-BSI (msn 43312) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 960772.

Qatar Airways Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 A7-BSI (msn 43312) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 960772.

Copyright Photo: Qatar Airways Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 A7-BSI (msn 43312) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 960772.

Swoop to be merged into WestJet

Swoop (WestJet) Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-GYLP (msn 42844) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 959276.

Swoop, the low-cost brand of WestJet, is going away. As part of the agreement with ALPA, representing the pilots, WestJet agreed to end the Swoop experiment. Swoop will be integrated back into WestJet on October 28, 2023. The brand will be retired and the aircraft will be repainted.

Here is the announcement:

On June 9, 2023, the second collective bargaining agreement between WestJet and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the certified union representing WestJet and Swoop pilots, was ratified. 

The agreement is in effect from January 1, 2023, and will be in place until December 31, 2026.   

As negotiated in the collective agreement, the WestJet Group will now begin integration efforts of its ultra-low-cost airline, Swoop. Through an expedited process, the airline anticipates a full integration into its mainline operations by the end of October. To avoid traveller impact, Swoop will operate its existing network through to the end of its published schedule on October 28. Swoop employees will move to WestJet. 

The WestJet Group is committed to ongoing engagement with valued communities and stakeholders to ensure that the airline continues to provide critical and affordable air travel to communities across Canada. 

Top Copyright Photo: Swoop (WestJet) Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-GYLP (msn 42844) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 959276.

Swoop aircraft photo gallery:

Swoop aircraft photo gallery

Swoop route map: