Boeing 7E7 - I would give this one a spin...

[Passenger Mark]

Can't wait to try this one out...

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/7e7/images/k62869.jpg

More information at...

www.boeing.com/commercial/7e7/flash.html (http://www.boeing.com/commercial/7e7/flash.html)

What about it Ray... You think SWA might order a few???

[CaptainStark]

I sure hope so!

I was told in recurrent training that SWA is a "design launch customer" on this aircraft. What that means is, Boeing came to us and asked for our input during the design of the aircraft. Southwest Airlines will be the largest domestic carrier in a few years and given that many airports are considering limiting slots, we may have to look at a bigger aircraft. The smaller Dreamliner is probably not too big for us now, on some routes. The key is that is is highly efficient. Where there is efficiency, you will find the successful carriers. Southwest is committed to an efficient operation and will evolve as necessary to ensure they remain the most efficient they can possibly be.

Much has been made of the "one aircraft" philosophy pioneered by SWA. The reality has been slightly different.

While the planes we fly are all called 737's, they are all distinctly different. The 200's were 60's technology and the 300's that replaced them were considerably more advanced in efficiency and integration of new technologies developed since the 60's. The New Generation 737 is another evolution in the 737 family and, like it's siblings, the 700 shares few parts with any of the earlier 737s. Soon, the 700 will be our base aircraft and as the 300/500's go out to pasture, adding another aircraft to our fleet mix might just make sense. Especially if it can offer the promised 20% efficiency advance Boeing is advertising.

SWA looks at every possible opportunity and business option. The 7E7 may show up in blue one of these days and I wouldn't be surprised in the least.

Ray:ray

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Wow. That plane loooks GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOVY baby!

When do they start ferrying pax??

Kelley

[Passenger Mark]

When do they start ferrying pax??

Sometime between 2008 and 2010, not soon enough. :sigh

[Huey]

" Southwest Airlines will be the largest domestic carrier in a few years and given that many airports are considering limiting slots, we may have to look at a bigger aircraft. "


You mean the number of armored hubs is slated to expand?

[sengelin]

I am actually looking forward to the Dreamliner. I love the idea of bigger windows. I'm not so sure that I'm looking forward to this one, though.

http://www.flugsimulator.de/freeware/camsim/a380/a380_15.jpg

You can fly half way around the world with 549 of your closest friends... coming to an airport near you in 2007.

[LesliePHX]

I've seen that Dreamliner drawing before, and the seats look strikingly uncomfortable to me, like the dining room chairs you see in those Danish furniture stores.

Maybe they are ergonomically correct in some way that you can feel when you sit in them but not that you can see when you look at them? They just don't look comfortable.

[beaugest]

Les, As someone who is dreading being squished for a long flight---I drooled when I saw those chairs...They look so roomy to me. And I'm a room addict...
I was contemplating going on the plane without showering for the week before. Then everyone will move away from me and I'll have the whole row for me and my daughter(the teenager who would be cringing in embarrassment). How's that for an anxiety reduction technique?:troll

[LesliePHX]

Monica, but the ones in the foreground are the first class (or business class) seats, which are roomy on any airplane. The coach seats -- can't see them too well in the graphic -- don't look very roomy.

[WillFlyToDisney2]

I had that same thought, Les. Those first class chairs look roomy but the coach ones look cramped up. I wonder how comfy the seats are.

Mark, any pix around of the coach cabin?

And I have never been a fan of the first class seats in the middle of the aisle like that. They always looked like they were in the way or something. I prefer the window anyways.

Kelley

[spleisher]

All,

Don't get too hung up on the seat design, etc. in the pictures. The cabin you see here is a mock-up produced by boeing and is purely conceptual. The actual cabin and seats will undoubtedly look a whole lot different once they start producing real-world airliners to meet the demands of real-world airlines. The key design elements to focus on are the cool ceiling lights that add a feeling of spaciousness and the larger windows and completely re-designed overhead bins. I'm really excited about this plane. I think it is just gorgeous. I encourage everyone to go to the site Mark referenced above. There are videos there and eveything!

Just some thoughts....

Scott

[Passenger Mark]

I think the seats look great!

To me they appear to be more comfortable that what is out there now. Appears they have leg rests.

Scott, I am sure there will be some changes, but from what I understand... this is what they are heading for.


http://www.boeing.com/commercial/7e7/images/k63023-4.jpg

[Passenger Mark]

The A380 is going to be an exciting aircraft also...

A huge aircraft... but before you start looking to ride on one, make sure you depart/arrive at the right airport.

The plane is of such size that the slots will have to be redesigned to handle it.

Some airports like LAX are refusing to do so.