Item 2. Properties
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Item 2. Properties
Aircraft
Southwest operated a total of 817 Boeing 737 aircraft as of December 31, 2023, of which 57 and 24 were under operating and finance leases, respectively. The following table details information on the 817 aircraft as of December 31, 2023:
| Type | Seats | Average Age (Yrs) | Number of Aircraft | Number Owned | Number Leased (a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 737-700 | 143 | 18 | 387 | 352 | 35 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 737-800 | 175 | 8 | 207 | 190 | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 737 -8 | 175 | 2 | 223 | 194 | 29 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Totals | 11 | 817 | 736 | 81 |
(a)See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the Company's lease transactions.
In fourth quarter 2023, the Company entered into supplemental agreements with Boeing relating to its contractual order book for -7 and -8 aircraft. These agreements, which include an extended order book to 2031, provide flexibility in support of the Company's growth plans and fleet modernization. The delivery schedule below reflects contractual commitments, although the timing of future deliveries could be affected by any potential or prolonged delays in the manufacturing process or with the -7 certification. The Company retains significant flexibility to manage its fleet size, including opportunities to accelerate fleet modernization efforts if growth opportunities do not materialize.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had firm deliveries and options for -7 and -8 aircraft as follows:
| The Boeing Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -7 Firm Orders | -8 Firm Orders | -7 or -8 Options | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 27 | 58 | — | 85 | (c) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 59 | — | 15 | 74 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 59 | — | 26 | 85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2027 | 19 | 46 | 25 | 90 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2028 | 15 | 50 | 25 | 90 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2029 | 38 | 34 | 18 | 90 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2030 | 45 | — | 45 | 90 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2031 | 45 | — | 45 | 90 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 307 | (a) | 188 | (b) | 199 | 694 |
(a) The delivery timing for the -7 is dependent on the FAA issuing required certifications and approvals to Boeing and the Company. The FAA will ultimately determine the timing of the -7 certification and entry into service, and the Company therefore offers no assurances that current estimations and timelines are correct.
(b) The Company has flexibility to designate firm orders or options as -7s or -8s, upon written advance notification as stated in the contract.
(c) The Company currently plans for approximately 79 MAX aircraft deliveries in 2024.
Ground Facilities and Services
Southwest either leases or pays a usage fee for terminal passenger service facilities at each of the airports it serves to which various leasehold improvements have been made. The Company leases the land and/or structures on a long-term basis for its aircraft maintenance centers (located at Dallas Love Field, Houston Hobby, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Chicago Midway, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Orlando International Airport) and its main corporate headquarters building, also located near Dallas Love Field. The
Company also leases a warehouse and engine repair facility in Atlanta. The Company has announced its intent to build a new aircraft maintenance facility, expected to be completed in 2025, at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
The Company owns two additional headquarters buildings, located across the street from the Company's main headquarters building, on land owned by the Company, including (a) an energy efficient, modern building, called TOPS, which houses certain operational and training functions, including the Company's 24-hour operations and (b) the Wings Complex, consisting of a Leadership Education and Aircrew Development (“LEAD”) Center (housing the Company's 26 Boeing 737 flight simulators and classroom space for Pilot training), an additional office building, and a parking garage.
The Company has commitments associated with various airport improvement projects, including construction at Houston Hobby International Airport. This project includes the construction of new facilities and the rebuilding or modernization of existing facilities. In April 2023, the Company executed a ground lease agreement with Los Angeles World Airports (“LAWA”) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) which provides the Company the right to construct a 9-gate concourse (Concourse 0) adjacent to Terminal 1. The Company expects to manage the design, development, financing, construction, and commissioning of the project, and expects to commence construction in early 2025 with construction to be complete in late 2028 or early 2029. Prior to commencement of construction, LAWA and the Company will need to agree on scope and budget and have financing in place. Additional information regarding these projects is provided in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company performs substantially all line maintenance on its aircraft and provides ground support services at most of the airports it serves. However, the Company has arrangements with certain aircraft maintenance providers for major component inspections and repairs for its airframes and engines, which comprise the majority of the Company's annual aircraft maintenance costs.
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