Southwest Airlines is nearly synonymous with the Boeing 737. They are not only the largest operator of the 737, but they are the largest single fleet airline in the world, and every single one of those planes is a 737. Southwest is the largest operator of the 737-700 and 737 Max. The good news with Southwest is you always know what you’re getting, it’s a Boeing 737. But there are some differences between the types of 737s that Southwest uses.
Off the planes, some Southwest things are always the same. The check in and boarding process doesn’t change, you always want to check in early to get a good boarding spot and there is no assigned seating. Another great Southwest feature are the 2 free checked bags, for people who like to check bags this is great. It also keeps those of us who don’t check bags happy because there tends to always be overhead space for carry on bags.
In This Guide
Southwest 737-700
- Seat 143 people in a 3-3 all economy configuration.
- 383 Boeing 737-700s are in service with Southwest Airlines largest operator
- Free “stream to your own device” entertainment (but no power outlets)
- Single over wing exit
- Currently oldest and smallest plane in the Southwest fleet
The Boeing 737-700 makes up the bulk of the Southwest Airlines fleet. These are the backbone aircraft that do the heavy lifting for the airline. The 737 is the jack of all trades aircraft that Southwest has used since it was first delivered in 1997. Southwest was the launch customer for the 737 Next Gen program and the -700 was their first order.
From the outside, it’s pretty easy to tell the 737-700 from all the other Southwest 737s. The -700 only has a single over wing exit window on each side of the plane. The Southwest 737-700s also don’t have split wingtips. So from the outside, look for the shorter body plane, with a single exit row, and a single wiglet that only goes up.
The interiors of the Southwest 737-700 are the oldest of the fleet. So while they might not look the best, they are some of the most comfortable. The seats in the older planes tend to be more plush and soft in comparison with the newer planes. The over head bins are not as pleasant looking and there are no fun mood lights, more just a dimmer switch, no color changing.
A benefit of the 737-700 is the over head vents actually work. Like the rest of the Southwest fleet, there is no in-seat power or entertainment, but there is paid WiFi and a stream to your own device option.
Southwest 737-800
- Seat 175 people in a 3-3 all economy configuration.
- 200 Boeing 737-800s are in service with Southwest Airlines, fewest type in the Southwest Fleet
- Free “stream to your own device” entertainment (but no power outlets)
- Dual over wing exits
- Tied for largest plane in the Southwest Fleet
- 4 Flight attendants
- Used on flights to Hawaii and other long routes
The Southwest 737-800 was added to the fleet in the mid 2010s. These planes were added to the fleet to increase capacity on certain routes. This was easy for Southwest as all 737s use the same crew members so they can swap between plane types very easily. The 737-800 is used on lots of flights, including the longest flights in the network to and from Hawaii.
Exterior wise, the 737-800 is easy to tell from the -700 but a little harder to tell from the Max. The 737-800 has 2 over wing exits on each side of the plane. The -800 can also have split or single wiglets so that’s not a good differentiation, but if it has single upward winglets and 2 over wing exits, it’s a -800. The easiest way to tell between the -800 and Max 8 is to look at the rear of the engines, if they are smooth it’s a -800, if it’s scalloped it’s a Max. You can also look at the very rear of the plane, the -800 is more blunt.
The interiors of the Southwest 737-800 are much more modern than those in the -700. As they were delivered much later than the -700, they have the Boeing Sky interior that features mood lighting, updated overhead bins, and more slim seats. The -800 is good, but I think the -700 is a little more comfortable even if it’s a little uglier, the over head vents on the -800 don’t work well.
The -800 also has free “stream to your own device” entertainment but still doesn’t have in-seat screens or power to charge devices, so you’ll want a portable battery pack to charge your phone.
Southwest 737 Max 8
- Seat 175 people in a 3-3 all economy configuration
- 202 Boeing 737-800s are in service with Southwest Airlines with 270 more to be delivered
- Free “stream to your own device” entertainment (but no power outlets)
- Dual over wing exits
- Tied for largest plane in the Southwest Fleet
- 4 Flight attendants
- Newest planes in the Southwest Fleet
- Used on flights to Hawaii and other long routes
As the 737’s biggest customer, the 737 Max 8 was obviously going to be purchased by Southwest. In fact, Southwest is a big reason why the Max even exists. Southwest was the launch customer for the 737 Max. When Southwest added the 737 Max it was used as an extension of the -800 routes. Now Southwest could fly even longer routes more efficiently.
On the Exterior, the easiest way to tell the 737 Max from the -800 or -700 is the engines. The Max engines are scalloped on the back where the Next Gen 737s have smooth engines at the rear. The rear of the 737 Max aircraft is more pointed where the Next Gen is more blunted. There are other minor details that you can use to pick out the Max aircraft. The winglets are split, but different from the split tips on the 737-800s. The front of the Max aircraft are also taller than the next gen. The 737 Max also have larger diameter engines than the earlier -700/800.
From the inside, as a passenger, the Southwest Max 8 is identical to the 737-800. I mean in every single way, it’s the same plane. Unless you have a window seat and really know the differences between a Max and Next Gen wings and engines, it’s unlikely you’ll tell the difference in flight. The same seats, WiFi, entertainment, and lack of power for devices.
Southwest Things That Don’t Change
Regardless of what Southwest aircraft you’re flying on, a few things don’t change. First, you’ll always get 2 free checked bags. This is an amenity that no other US domestic airline offers. Next, you’ll want to check in early because Southwest boards my check in order and there’s no assigned seats, it’s first come first serve so check in early to get a good boarding position.
On board, Southwest includes drinks and snacks on flights long enough to allow it. They also offer alcoholic beverages for very reasonable purchase prices.
The in flight entertainment is a stream to your device option, but nothing in seat. Southwest doesn’t currently offer power, but that is changing soon.
Southwest 737-700 vs 737-800 vs 737 Max 8 Final Thoughts
Southwest Airlines is the most prolific user of the Boeing 737, with more than 850 in their fleet at 400 more on order, if you’re a fan of the 737, you’ve found the right airline. No matter what flight you’re on, you’ll be sure it’s a 737.
The older 737-700 is a comfortable ride in a slightly older interior. It’s a real work horse of the fleet with more than 350 of them flying around North America. The 737-800 and 737 Max 8 are nearly identical on the inside with their more modern interior.
Same snacks, same drinks, same pilots, and flight attendants too. That’s the point, it’s consistent and it helps Southwest keep prices low.
The Southwest 737 is a great way to ride around North America. I personally like the modern interiors on the 737-800s and 737 Max 8. But the seats on the 737-700 are more comfortable. Really I wouldn’t avoid any of them.
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Southwest Airlines 737-700 Flight Review (CVG-BWI)