Today I’ll be riding on Southwest’s 737 Max. Specifically this is a 4 year old 737 Max-8. My first 737 max flight. I’m a little excited, a lot has been written about the 737max, I’m not going to rehash all of it, I’m mostly excited to try out a new plane. I don’t fly southwest very frequently so it’s fun to try out something different. I’ve flown and reviewed Southwest’s 737-800 a few times, this flight on the Max-8 was basically the same and I guess that’s a good thing.
Southwest has a ton of 737 Max-8 planes in their fleet over 140(as of November 2022) with a further 200 yet to be delivered. Southwest Airlines also has nearly 200 737 Max-7 planes on order yet to be delivered. Once they all arrive, the 737Max will makeup about half of the planes that Southwest operates. Southwest is a bit of an oddball, they are an all economy airline yet they offer free checked bags, drinks, and snacks. They also only operate 737s, it’s a unique model in the US and one that has been very successful.
Today my flight from Baltimore to Greenville was originally scheduled to be on a 737-800, a slightly older model of 737 called the Next Generation. Southwest often interchanges aircraft and a few days before my departure I noticed that we had been swapped to a 737 Max-8. The 737-800 and 737 Max-8 seat the same number of people in Southwest’s configuration. Anyway, lets get into this review.
Bottom Line: The Southwest 737 Max is a nice ride. Southwest has comfortable seats, free drinks and snacks, and free checked bags. Unfortunately there’s no in-seat entertainment or power provided, but there is a stream to your own device option. I like Southwest and their 737 Max.
Southwest Airlines 737 Max-8 Boarding
The 737 Max-8 has a few features that are distinguishable from the earlier generations of 737s. First, the engines have chevrons at the output, this is the easiest way to tell them apart. Second the wiglets are different, these can be a little more tricky to distinguish as the Next Gen737s also have an option for split wingtip devices. Finally the tail cone of the 737 Max is pointy and cone shaped where the earlier generations are more blunt.
We boarded right on time. I’m again in the B boarding group as I didn’t remember to check in right at 24 hours. After group A1-30 boarded, us in the B group lined up in their place while the A31-60 boarded.
Boarding group B was soon called and we made our way onto the plane.
The Boeing Tags on the 737 Max-8 are super easy to spot. Just like every other 737, when you’re boarding via the front door, just look up and you’ll see the tag.
Southwest Airlines 737 Max-8 Seat Review
Southwest’s seating procedure is a little different than most airlines. When you board, you’re allowed to sit in any empty seat. It’s all first come first serve so getting a good boarding position is important for getting a good seat. Southwest has 175 seats on their 737 Max-8s. They are all economy seats and arranged in a 3-3 configuration.
I got lucky and scored an exit row. I was a little surprised it was still available this late in boarding. Anyway, I’ll take it. This is a completely full flight, not going to get lucky with empty seats today. I stowed my roller bag in the overhead and stuffed my computer bag under the seat in front of me.
The leg room in the Southwest 737 Max-8 exit row is really good. Even with my bag in front there was more than enough space for me.
No seat back entertainment on Southwest. There is a stream to your own device option via the Wifi. It works pretty well in my experience and includeds some live TV options too.
For a while I though I was going to get lucky and not have a middle seat neighbor, but there was an announcement over the PA from the flight attendants that every seat will be occupied and some one soon joined my row. The Southwest 737 Max-8 doesn’t have power, a bit of a let down these days to not at least have some sort of power for devices.
Outside it was a really great day for flying. On the way into BWI we got a great view of downtown Baltimore and the water front. I’m hopeful that on the way out of town we get a view of DC as we head south to Greenville.
Onboard I was a little surprised, the Southwest 737 Max 8 is basically the exact same interior as the 737-800. Not that it’s bad, I just was expecting something different. I don’t much care for these overhead vents on the newer 737s, they just don’t put out enough air. Bummer they are included on the 737 Max too.
Southwest Airlines 737 Max-8 Departure
We pushed back right on time. The flight attendants gave their safety briefing, with normal Southwest charm and character.
Our Southwest 737 Max-8 headed for the runway. It was a beautiful day for flying.
We soon took-off heading towards the East. We then quickly made the turn towards GSP.
In the Southwest 737 Max Cabin it was pretty quiet on takeoff, but I wouldn’t say it was very different from a 737-800. I guess I was expecting the Max to feel different from the Next Gen 737 and it just doesn’t.
Outside we got a great view of DC. DC is such a pretty city and has a unique feel that is so different from other North American cites. I need to take another visit soon.
Southwest Airlines 737 Max-8 Drink and Snack Service
Soon after takeoff the flight attendants came through and took drink orders. Southwest does drink service a little different from most, there’s no drink cart. The flight attendants take orders, write them down, then come through with drinks on trays. It works well for these flights.
Another great thing about Southwest is that they have Dr. Pepper. I don’t drink it very often, but when I fly with Southwest I do. Southwest’s serving size for sodas is pretty small, it’s enough, but not a lot. Definitely less than what most airlines serve.
Southwest Airlines 737 Max-8 In Flight Review
Outside some cloud cover has arrived so no more view of the ground below. The seatbelt sign was turned off as it’s pretty smooth here in the southwest 737max. I’m settled into a podcast but southwest does offer streaming to your device for live TV, movies, and shows.
Soon after service the flight attendant came back through to collect garbage.
Our 737 Max-8 slowly began decending. The seatbelt sign was turned on about 25 minutes before landing. We were told it might get a little bumpy due to the weather in Greenville.
The flight attendants did a final sweep for garbage and finally safety check. They also made their landing announcements. The 737 Max-8 moodlights were turned back on and the flight attendants took their seats.
Southwest Airlines 737 Max-8 Greenville Arrival
We passed through a few layers of clouds as we approached GSP. The pilots added their thank-you and let us know about he weather in Greenville. Mostly clouds with a little rain, at least it’s pretty warm.
Greenville came into view. Unfortunately I could see the traffic that I’d soon be stuck in heading to my house.
And on the ground here in a wet GSP. Right on time and a perfectly pleasant flight.
Southwest Airlines 737 Max-8 Final Thoughts
My first trip on a 737 Max was completely uneventful. Southwest isn’t anything fancy and neither is their 737 Max-8. I was somewhat expecting the 737 Max-8 to feel different from older 737s, but at the end of the day, it just doesn’t. The interior is exactly the same as what Southwest uses in their 737-800s. I guess a kinda boring flight is about the best outcome from a 90 minute flight between Baltimore and Greenville.
I like Southwest, their simple service and seating on these short haul flights is just what’s needed. Sure, there’s no first class and there are no seating assignments, but the leg room and free drinks and snacks are more than adequate. Bottom line, I don’t mind flying with Southwest and their 737 Max-8 is no different. It’s a perfectly pleasant way to fly.