New 737-700 is one of seven to be delivered this month

More than 100 Boeing and Southwest Airlines employees celebrated today as Southwest received its 400th Boeing 737 passenger airplane at a Boeing Field delivery ceremony.

The new airplane is one of nine 737-700s Southwest will receive this month, part of a total 47 slated for the airline this year. The ceremony was one of a number of celebratory events this week marking both the milestone delivery and Southwest's 33 years of operation.

"This represents a remarkable milestone in our long partnership with Boeing," said Jim Parker, Southwest's vice chairman and chief executive officer. Southwest, the launch customer for the 737-700, has received 163 of the model since 1997.

"Southwest almost single-handedly created the low-cost airline business model that so many airlines are striving for today," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally. "Their customer focus and exceptional use of the Boeing 737 make them of the world's premier airlines."

Dallas-based Southwest is the fourth-largest U.S.-based carrier in terms of customers boarded. Today, Southwest Airlines flies more than 65 million passengers a year to 59 cities across the country.

The Next-Generation 737 models are the most technologically advanced single-aisle airplanes built today. Next-Generation 737s fly higher, faster, farther, more quietly and with greater fuel efficiency than previous 737s or competing airplanes. The 737 is the best-selling commercial airplane family of all time. More than 5,400 have been ordered by 218 customers since its introduction.

FMI: http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family