boeing 737-7h4

Illinois OneSouthwest Airlines, Inc. is a low fare airline based in Dallas, Texas. It is the largest airline in the United States by number of passengers carried domestically for any one year and the third largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried. Southwest Airlines carried more customers than any other U.S. airline in August 2006, marking it the first time that Southwest Airlines has topped the monthly list for combined domestic and international passengers, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Southwest Airlines is one of the industry's most profitable airlines and in January 2007, posted a profit for the 34th consecutive year. Its reputation for low prices and a laid-back atmosphere have made it an icon of pop culture.

The 737-700 was launched by Southwest Airlines in 1993 and entered service in 1998. It has the longest range of any 737 and its direct competitor is the A319. It typically seats 132 passengers in a two class cabin or 149 in all economy configuration.