Today I’m flying out to Las Vegas for work. While I do fly Southwest a good amount, I’ve never flown with them over longer distances. Usually, just flights that are less than two hours. Southwest has become a major player in the US domestic aviation market, and even on longer haul flights including trans-con flights. I’ve always kinda stayed away Southwest on longer flights, but for this trip, they had a great schedule and cost. I did make a same-day change so instead of the 737-800 I was expecting, I’m now on a Southwest 737 Max 8. I’ve reviewed the Southwest 737 Max 8 before, but never on a flight this long so I was interested in the differences.
I rode on the Southwest Max 8 from ATL-LAS, about a 4 hour flight. There’s nothing too different from the regular Southwest service, there’s just more time on the plane.
Bottom Line: Turns out I’ve been an idiot, Southwest is perfectly pleasant on these longer flights. Unfortunately Southwest still doesn’t have in seat entertainment or even power to charge devices, but the rest of the experience is very pleasant. I see no reason to avoid Southwest on longer flights, I certainly won’t.
In This Trip
Southwest Boarding
You join me at the Atlanta Airport. I just arrived here from Greenville on a Southwest 737-800(Review of the Southwest 737-800). I got lucky, I originally had a 2 hour layover before a flight to Las Vegas. Our flight from Greenville landed about 20 minutes early and there’s another flight to LAS that’s departing a few minutes late, just one gate down from where we arrived. So I hustled off the plane, over to the new gate, and asked to change to that early flight. The gate agent took my ID and a minute later printed a new boarding pass and told me to run!
No Southwest lineup boarding process for me. I was the last person onto the plane. I’m a little nervous about getting my bag into the overhead. I’m also concerned I’m about to end up in a middle seat for 4 hours.
It’s hot here in Atlanta this week. At least with the sun setting it shouldn’t be too warm on the plane.
Southwest 737 Max 8 Seat Review
Southwest’s 737 Max 8s have standard 3-3 seating. There are 175 seats spread over 30 rows. A few rows around the exits only have 2 seats per row.
Southwest is an all economy airline. Apart from the bulk head and the exit rows, there are no differences between the seats. I was really lucky that I got to sit in a window in the rear of the plane. Boarding last, when seating is first come first served is a little risky. The leg room is good here on Southwest. I really think it’s better than what most other airlines offer in economy.
Here’s where flying Southwest is a little bit of a bummer, there’s is no in seat entertainment and there’s also no power to charge a phone. So while the onboard stream to your own device options are good, you’ll always want to fly with a portable battery pack.
In the cabin we got all settled into our seats and the flight attendants gave their welcome announcements followed by the safety briefing. I’m about 4 rows from the very back of the Southwest Max 8.
Southwest 737 Max 8 Push Back and Takeoff
Outside we pushed back from the gate about 10 minutes past the scheduled departure time. For me, this worked out great, I needed those 10 minutes in order to make this flight.
We had a quick taxi to the runway. The pilots came on and told us that the flight would be just around 4 hours in flight. There would be a few bumps as we departed ATL, but once we got to our cruising altitude, it should be pretty smooth.
In the air, we took off towards the East.
We got a lovely view of Georgia as we made our turn towards Las Vegas. At this point I’m trying to remember the differences between the 737-800 wing and the 737 Max 8 wing.
We climbed through a little roughness but nothing major.
Above the clouds and heading west, we got a great view and a nice clear sky.
Southwest 737 Max 8 Drinks and Snacks
Southwest has a decent selection of onboard drinks. The alcoholic options are reasonable priced and soft drinks are included. Not bad for a “low cost” airline. The flight attendants break the cabin into sections and each one takes drink orders for a section. Southwest doesn’t use drink carts like other airlines.
The flight attendants came through and offered snacks from their snack basket. It’s a fast service of slinging snacks. No cart or options really, just “do you want a snack?” Both snacks were good, I liked the brownie brittle especially.
I also ordered a Lagunitas IPA. The only down side to the Southwest drink service is that the snacks are much earlier than the drinks. So I had already eaten my snacks by the time my beer arrived. Of course I could solve this issue by not eating everything, but I was hungry.
Southwest 737 Max 8 Streaming Entertainment and Wifi
Southwest offers free texting on their in-flight Wifi system. Val and I use this all the time to chat on WhatsApp. There is also Wifi available to purchase.
Southwest also offers free stream to your own device entertainment. There’s a pretty good selection of free tv shows.
Movies.
And even free live TV. It’s all stream to your device, and there are no in-seat power outlets, but this is a great option. Even on this 4 hour flight I was more than entertained enough.
Southwest 737 Max 8 In Flight
Outside the weather was beautiful and we settled into the rest of the flight. The whole drink and snack service took just about an hour.
Inside the cabin the lights were mostly dimmed and most people were content to just relax and enjoy the flight to Las Vegas. The Flight Attendants passed through the cabin periodically to check on people.
Those of us with window seats got treated to a great view. I mostly went between window open for a few minutes between shows, to then window closed and enjoying the streaming content on my phone.
The flight attendant came around and asked if I wanted to have another beer. We still have another left in the flight so I figured why not. You notice that I also have my portable battery charger to keep my phone happy.
We haven’t quite kept up with the sun on this trip out west. We we treated with an amazing sunset though.
Southwest 737 Max 8 Bathroom
With about 45 minutes left in the flight, my seat mate got up and I used that opportunity to head to the lavatory. On the Southwest 737 Max 8 there are two bathrooms in the rear and then one more at the front of the plane. After a 4 hour flight these were a little messy, but not bad.
I went back to my seat and put on some music so I could enjoy the rest of the flight.
We were getting some really amazing views of the American Southwest. I really don’t spend enough time in this part of the world.
Southwest 737 Max 8 Approach and Landing
With about 30 minutes left in the flight, the cabin lights were brought up and the flight attendants made their rounds to collect garbage. The pilots told us we’d be on the ground soon. 95 degrees on the ground here in Las Vegas.
Outside we’re just over Lake Mead and I love the view. However, the drought in this part of the country is really apparent with the water levels. Our Southwest 737 Max 8 wingtip does look great on this backdrop though.
Las Vegas came into view and we aligned for the runway.
Just a few minutes later we’re on the ground here at LAS. Even with our slightly late departure, we’re on the ground right on time.
I don’t much care for the Strip, but this is a cool view.
Just a few minutes later we’re at the gate. Perfect flight.
Southwest 737 Max 8 Longer Flight Final Thoughts
I was an idiot for avoiding Southwest on longer flights. Especially here on the 737 Max, it’s a very comfortable way to travel. Sure, it’s economy on a trans-con flight so I’m not expecting miracles, but there’s no reason to avoid Southwest, it’s actually pleasant.
Southwest’s first come first serve seating can be annoying, but once you’re in a seat, they are pretty comfortable. The leg room is above average for economy on a US domestic airline. The lack of in seat entertainment becomes apparent on these longer flights, but the stream-to-your-own device content is very good and easy to use. There’s also wifi available to purchase. The lack of in seat charging points is a pretty big oversight, but something that Southwest is working to correct.
I like the simple and inexpensive drink and snack service. Of course, Southwest does it a little differently by not having beverage carts, but it just works. The beer selection is good too.
I’ll gladly take Southwest again on longer flights, especially on the 737 Max 8 or 737-800, those have the newest interiors.
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