april-2012

DAN SELLERS
CEO Greeting
Evolve: Southwest’s New Interior
by Gary Kelly
To ensure that we have the safest, most effi cient fl eet in the world, Southwest Airlines is preparing for
our future with a comprehensive fl eet-modernization program. A major component of our plan is a
brand-new interior, Evolve, which is an eco-friendly, cost-effi cient new look for our cabin with an
emphasis on comfort and personal space.
Evolve maximizes the space inside our planes, giving us the opportunity to increase the number
of seats onboard from 137 to 143—without sacrifi cing your personal space. While it was never our objective to
add a row of seats, we determined that we could accommodate the increase without sacrifi cing comfort.
We’ve been testing materials on a “Green Plane” since 2009, and those materials are now being incorporated
into the interior. Each seat is nearly six pounds lighter, which adds up to a reduction of 635 pounds per aircraft
and is expected to result in signifi cant annual fuel cost savings. The new seats are made using E-Leather, which is
an eco-friendly, lightweight, and scuff-resistant alternative to traditional leather. E-Leather is made from natural
leather fi ber that is upgraded using eco-conscious technology.
The new seat design also makes the bottom cushion lighter and more comfortable and provides better
lumbar support. Additionally, we’re installing a fixed-wing headrest on each seat that will provide for a
more relaxing experience. And we’re replacing the seatback pocket with a netted pocket that’s form-fitting
to the seat, allowing for more knee room.
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GO MAGAZINE
The carpet is made from
completely recyclable, carbonneutral
material that will be
laid in squares, rather than
rolls, eliminating the need for
total carpet replacement and
reducing waste. Under the seat,
we’re replacing our life vest
pouches with lighter, more
environmentally friendly canvas
pouches. These interior elements
will be installed on all new
737-800 aircraft delivered to
Southwest beginning this year.
We are currently in the process
of retrofitting our entire existing
fleet of 737-700 planes with the
new interior, and we anticipate
that the fleet-wide retrofit will be
complete by the end of next year.
Southwest is committed to the
triple bottomline of Performance,
People, and Planet; and our new
interior represents a win for all
three. Evolve marries efficiency,
environmentally responsible
products, Customer comfort,
and reduced waste and weight—
it’s a flying testament to our
philosophy that environmental
decisions also make good
business sense.
Cordially,
Gary Kelly
Chairman, President and CEO
Southwest Airlines