Southwest 737-500 Photo Gallery

The Boeing 737-500 program was launched by The Boeing Co. in May 1987 with a total of 73 orders/options from official launch customer Southwest Airlines along with European airlines Braathens SAFE, Euralair and Maersk. The -500 a shortend version of the 737-300 was designed as a 130-seat replacement for the 737-200. The -500 had the same wing span as that of the -300 but had a shortened fuselage length of 101 feet, 9 inches. The -500 utilized the same CFM56-3B1 engine as the -300, and coupled with the reduced operational empty weight (OEW) of the aircraft, the -500 was a hot rod compared to the heavier -300 and -400 series aircraft. Southwest took delivery of it's first 737-5H4 (N503SW) on February 2, 1990.

Boeing 737-5H4 N520SW (25319/2134) Del. 10/04/1991

The aircraft is caught taxing to Rwy 24L for departure to San Jose (SJC) shortly after a storm passed over LAX.
(Photo by Michael J. Carter)

Boeing 737-5H4 N507SW (24184/1864) 'Shamu Two' Del. 05/30/1990

Southwest Airlines was one of the original airlines to have logo jets. Seen holding short of Rwy 24L at LAX is "Shamu Two" dedicated to "Sea World of California" located in San Diego. The aircraft was deliverd to Southwest Airlines on May 30, 1990 becoming the 100th aircraft in the Southwest fleet. (Photo by Michael J. Carter)

Boeing 737-5H4 N501SW (24178/1718) 'Shamu Three' Del. 09/07/1990

"Shamu Three" dedicated to "Sea World of Ohio" was delivered to Southwest Airlines on September 7, 1990. This -500 was the prototype aircraft (N73700) for the new Boeing program making it's first flight on March 6, 1989. The aircraft is seen here just after pushback from gate 4B at LAX headed to Oakland (OAK) on another California intra-state flight. (Photo by Michael J. Carter)