Boeing (BOE, Chicago O'Hare International (ORD)) has unveiled Southwest Airlines (WN, Dallas Love Field (DAL)) as the launch customer for its 737 MAX 7, the third member of the 737 MAX family, after Southwest converted 30 existing orders for Next-Generation 737s into orders for the 737 MAX 7. Southwest also exercised options to add five more B737-800s to its fleet (and converted five outstanding B737-700 orders to -800s) which, together with the 737 MAX 7s, are part of Southwest’s ongoing effort to improve fuel efficiency and overall profitability. In addition, the Dallas-based LCC says it will buy ten used B737-700s from Canada's WestJet (WS, Calgary International (YYC)) over the next two years as a means of tiding itself over until the delivery of its first 737 MAX 7, due in 2019.

Southwest Airlines (WN, Dallas Love Field (DAL)) has been awarded two slot exemptions by the US Department of Transportation allowing it to operate a new daily Houston William P. Hobby (HOU) - Washington Ronald Reagan National (DCA) flight. The DoT said the service will be the first non-stop service from Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport to Reagan National and will help foster airline competition in the Reagan National-Houston market where currently only United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare International (ORD)) provides flights, albeit to Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH). The slot exemptions became available when Spirit Airlines (NK, Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL)) moved its Washington area service from Reagan National to Baltimore Thurgood Marshall International (BWI) and returned the two slot exemptions that it had been using to serve Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL). Also applying for the exemptions at Reagan National were US Airways (US, Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)), which proposed service to Oklahoma City Will Rogers World (OKC), and jetBlue Airways (B6, New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK)), which proposed service to Jacksonville International (JAX).

Southwest Airlines (WN, Dallas Love Field (DAL)) is currently reviewing the option of acquiring or leasing some second hand B737-800s in 2014 to complement the 31 B737-800s already scheduled for delivery during next year. Southwest has built up a fleet of 40 B737-800s already over the course of just one year after having taken delivery of its first aircraft of the type on March 8, 2012.

Arrow Shuttle (Seattle Boeing Field King County International (BFI)) is a new start-up planning to launch scheduled flights from Seattle Boeing Field King County International (BFI) to both San José Norman Y. Mineta International (SJC) and Oakland Metropolitan International (OAK). It plans to operate the flights with nine seat Piaggio Avanti business turboprops. Kenmore Air (M5, Kenmore Air Harbor Sea Plane Base (KEH)) is currently the only other carrier offering scheduled services from Boeing Field which is located closer to Seattle's downtown than Seattle Tacoma International (SEA). Both Alaska Airlines (AS, Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)) and Southwest Airlines (WN, Dallas Love Field (DAL)) already serve Oakland and San José from Seattle/Tacoma several times daily.

Southwest Airlines (WN, Dallas Love Field (DAL)) has finally implemented a limited codeshare agreement with subsidiary AirTran Airways (FL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International (ATL)) allowing the two carriers to work together more closely. The implementation of the codeshare agreement between the two carriers had to be postponed because of technology issues with the passenger servicing systems at both carriers with a full merger of the two airlines still not expected for some years. AirTran has now put its FL code on Southwest services from Atlanta to Louisville Standiford International (SDF) and Norfolk International (ORF) while Southwest codeshares on AirTran services from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL) and Fort Myers Southwest Florida International (RSW). The two airlines will then gradually introduce additional routes making it possible for customers to buy itineraries including both airlines which has so far not been possible.