Why Southwest Airlines’ Large Boeing 737 NG Fleet Is Getting Smaller

Southwest Airlines is by far the world’s largest operator of the Boeing 737, currently operating a staggering 810 examples of the aircraft across three different variants – the 737-700, 737-800, and 737 MAX 8. In fact, the 737 is the only aircraft type operated by the low-cost carrier. However, the carrier is now reducing the number of 737 NGs (737-700s and 737-800s) in its fleet, with the goal of retiring them completely by 2031.