Wiki Wunala

N8891Q

B737-8 MAX

2023-24

The Destination 225° Cadet Pathway is a Southwest program to train aspiring pilots. The brand new aircraft was displayed at the 2023 edition of Oshkosh.

Image ©
Tags Education

Southwest unveiled this colourful special on April 28, 2023 to celebrate 4 years of operations to Hawaii. In Hawaiian language, Imua means forward in the sense of going forward with strength, courage and strong spirit. The scheme was created by Oahu-based Osaki Creative Group. The transition from purple blue to red and sunrise yellow in a gradient represents the evolution from night to day as well as travel accross the Pacific.

The intricate design includes many traditionnal patterns and symbols from Hawaiian culture. The lei (flower garland) near the nose of the aircraft comprises unique flowers representing the different islands; note it is different on the two sides of the aircraft and symbolizes the Lokahi concept (unity in Hawaiian). Then six paddlers in an outrigger bring to life the concept of Imua.

Next is the Kai symbol of the ocean and waves. Ohana (family) and Aina (land) are symbolized by lines of triangles. The six turtles (Honu) in two groups of three represent harmony and balance. Stars (Hoku - guiding with purpose) can be spotted near the tail; they are adjacent to perpendicular stripes (Ama, a binding symbol). The airline released a series of videos named “Honoring the Heart of Hawaii” where some of its Hawaii-based employees share deeper, personal meanings behind the visual elements of the aircraft.

Images © John Boulin (BWI) & Peach Air (ATL)
Tags Network, Traditional Patterns

Adopt-A-Pilot

25th Anniversary

N400WN

2023-

Adopt-A-Pilot is a mentorship program that connects fifth graders with Southwest Pilots to engage students in aviation-related lessons. It started in 1997 and has since engaged half a million students and nearly 14,000 pilots.

Image ©
Tags Education

Canyon Blue Retro

Colleen Barrett - Heroine of the Heart

N872CB

B737-8 MAX

2022-

N872CB wears the initials of the President Emerita of Southwest Airlines, an influential figure in the founding and development of the company. The name and heart badge near the cockpit windows were previously worn by company -700 N266WN which was in standard Canyon Blue c/s.

Image © John Boulin (BWI)
Tags Retro

Walt Disney World 50

50 Years. One Heart.

Corp. , Entertainment

N954WN

2021-22

Both the Walt Disney World theme park and Southwest Airlines started welcoming customers in 1971; these two 50th anniversaries were celebrated on this scheme.

Image © Michael Carter (LGB)
Tags Anniversary, Disney, Theme Park

Freedom One

N500WR

B737-8H4

2021-

On June 18, 2021 on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, Southwest unveiled its first specially-painted 737-800. All 50 stars and 13 stripes from the flag of the USA are featured on this tribute to the nation, its military and the Southwest employees. CEO Gary Kelly declared on the occasion: “Freedom is the essence of our country, and giving America the freedom to fly is the essence of our company. With 50 stars on the flag and 50 years of LUV, we dedicate our anniversary to Freedom.”

Freedom One was painted in Spokane, unveiled in Houston Hobby and flew to Dallas Love Field with a crew of veterans and military service members, to whom this livery is dedicated. "WR" in the registration are the initials of William "Bill" Rogers, a Southwest employee based in Renton (WA) who had passed 500+ aircraft deliveries when this aircraft was handed over to Southwest in 2014.

Images © Michael Carter (SNA & LGB)
Tags Flag

Kidd's Kids #4

Kidd's Kids

The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show

N777QC	B737-7H4	Southwest	2016-17
N407WN	B737-7H4	Southwest	2017-18
N493WN	B737-7H4	Southwest	2018-19
N964WN	B737-7H4	Southwest	2019-20

Promoting the Kidd's Kids charity launched by late Kidd Kraddick, a syndicated radio personality. Note that since 2017 additional "keep lookin' up" titles are present as well. Titles on the port side only.

Image ©
Tags Charity

Kidd's Kids #3

Kidd's Kids

The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show

N928WN

2015-16

Promoting the Kidd's Kids charity launched by late Kidd Kraddick, a syndicated radio personality.

Image © Globespotter (LAS)
Tags Charity

Kidd's Kids #2

Kidd's Kids

Kidd Kraddick - In the Morning

N907WN	B737-7H4	Southwest	2009-10
N930WN	B737-7H4	Southwest	2010-11
N939WN	B737-7H4	Southwest	2011-12
N268WN	B737-7H4	Southwest	2012-13
N725SW	B737-7H4	Southwest	2013-14
N905WN	B737-7H4	Southwest	2014-15

Promoting the Kidd's Kids charity launched by late Kidd Kraddick, a syndicated radio personality. In November 2014 the airline celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Kraddick Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show listeners, 54 kids and their families went to Disney World on the Kidd's Kids plane.

The 2009, 2010 & 2011 editions had very similar, partly yellow decals. In 2012 the logo colour was amended to yellow & orange and again to orange for the 2013 & 2014 editions. Note the aircraft was in the new scheme starting with the 2014 edition.

Image © G-AZZD (LAX)
Tags Charity

Southwest Loves Kidd's Kids

N485WN	B737-7H4	Southwest	2006-07
N297WN	B737-7H4	Southwest	2007-08
N929WN	B737-7H4	Southwest	2008-09

Promoting the Kidd's Kids charity launched by late Kidd Kraddick, a syndicated radio personality. The initial decal unveiled in 2006 was squeezed for the two following years.

Image ©
Tags Charity

Spreading the LUV for 35 years

N238WN

2006-09

Southwest was founded in 1971 and these small titles were part of the 35th anniversary celebrations.

Image © Michael Stappen (LAS)
Tags Anniversary

Classic Retro

N871HK	B737-8	Southwest	The Herbert D. Kelleher	2022-
N711HK	B737-7H4	Southwest	The Herbert D. Kelleher	2005-22
N714CB	B737-7H4	Southwest	Southwest Classic	2007-22
N792SW	B737-7H4	Southwest	Metallic Gold One (untitled)	2009-16

Three Southwest aircraft were painted in a retrojet livery between 2005 and 2009. The original livery was brown and not gold though. The three aircraft wore distinctive names, including one dedicated to Southwest co-founder Herb Kelleher.

While N711HK was being retired in October 2022, a brand new MAX8 was delivered to the airline in the same scheme in November 2022.

Images © Trevor Ogle (LAS) & Michael Rodeback (SLC)
Tags Retro

Triple Crown One

N647SW	B737-3H4	Southwest	1997-15
N409WN	B737-7H4	Southwest	2015-23
N8681M	B737-8H4	Southwest	2024-

This livery is dedicated by the airline to its employees, in recognition of having ranked first in three categories (best on-time record, best baggage handling, and fewest customer complaints) as per DOT data in the 1992-1996 era (it is to be noted though, that the Triple Crown Awards are just a Southwest invention). It was the only blue aircraft in the fleet back in 1997. Originally in a dark blue paint, Triple Crown One later got the standard canyon blue, while keeping the golden tail stripe.

In 2015 the scheme was transferred to -700 tail number 409, still featuring the #1 heart medallion. The names of each of the 24,113 employees could be seen on the overhead bins in recognition of their individual efforts in the 1992-1996 period (this part was also reproduced in the -700).

Images © Michael Stappen (LAX), Thomas Ingendorn (LAS) & YoungKyun Shin (PDX)
Tags Awards

Silver One

N629SW

B737-3H4