Replacement for the 737? Endorsed by SWA

[johnsonrod]

I just read an editorial in the Wall Street Journal (yeah, not the best place to read about aviation news) that suggested that SWA and a few other airlines and aviation-parts manufacturers were pushing Boeing to design and build a replacement aircraft for the 737. We are talking about a newly-designed aircraft with more efficient engines, design, etc.

Anyone heard this rumor before? Evidently the fact that Airbus is bogged down with the super-expensive and complicated A380 and playing catch up with the A350 has created an opportunity for Boeing to exploit the sub-200 seat market. Airbus is too distracted and cash-poor to develop a new 100-200 seat aircraft. So, Boeing could end up revolutionizing the 100-200 seat market and leave Airbus in the cold as it staggers with too many distractions - at least that was what was suggested in the editorial...

Any thoughts? Anyone hear about SWA's discussions with Boeing? Makes sense if Boeing could design a more efficient aircraft that fits SWA's mission - although I bet it would have to include the original 737 overhead panel - thanks SWA!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Palomino]

beer?

 

[EngineOut]

I just read an editorial in the Wall Street Journal (yeah, not the best place to read about aviation news) that suggested that SWA and a few other airlines and aviation-parts manufacturers were pushing Boeing to design and build a replacement aircraft for the 737.

~SNIP~

Actually, the WSJ is one of the best mainstream media outlets reporting on aviation/airline business topics.

 

[TV9Driver]

Yeah, i've heard that too.. A new 737 using the 787 technology....

 

[FDJ2]

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=22063

 

[The_Russian]

Mostly composite. Unlimited cycles. I heard it from a Beoing test pilot when I was flying out of MIA last month. Sometime near 2010. It is coming out to replace RJs and the 737 altogether.

 

[Donald]

You are correct. SWA has been talking with Boeing about this. The 737 can't go on forever. It will be a scaled down version of the composite 787 (narrow body). There will be a long range version and a short range version of this aircraft as well. SWA is not really keeping this a secret. They are actively pursuing this, just nothing concrete since the plane doesn't exist yet. Apparently Boeing has gotten very strong interest in this aircraft from many airlines not just SWA

 

[Tref]

Apparently Boeing has gotten very strong interest in this aircraft from many airlines not just SWA

Word is NWA is talking with Boeing about this new type as a DC9 replacement. They claim they don't want to use EMB-195s.

American has a boatload of MD-80s to replace one of these days as well, not to mention all of the 73s out there.

 

[Master Shake]

They claim they don't want to use EMB-195s.

Wonder why that is? Could it be due to the inability to stretch the 195 any furthur?

 

[On Your Six]

It's about time. The 737 certainly is not as "jazzy" as some of the other aircraft out there - plus the flight deck systems are so archaic compared to what you find in the newer Gulfstreams and Falcons. Obviously Southwest won't want to take advantage of that new technology and instead want something that won't require heads down in the cockpit. Should be interesting to watch.