Southwest Airlines Special Aircraft
Southwest Airlines has a history of honoring the states and places on its route with uniquely painted aircraft.
Over the years Rich and Carol have flown on and witnessed some of these aircraft.
Over the years Rich and Carol have flown on and witnessed some of these aircraft.
Imua One
Its distinctive design features eight elements that represent concepts in Hawaiian culture that also align with Southwest values. The aircraft design features stars for each of the five airports in Hawaii Southwest serves: Honolulu, Lihue (Kauai), Kahului (Maui), Kona (Island of Hawaii), and Hilo (Island of Hawaii); six paddlers in an outrigger bring to life the concept of Imua; and six turtles in two groups of three to represent harmony and balance. A lei near the nose of the aircraft honors the unique Islands through their official flowers. And, in keeping with the traditional and distinctive colors in our Southwest Heart livery, including bold blue, warm red, and sunrise yellow, a gradient transition from blue to yellow represents the evolution from night to day and honors the Hawaiian history of journeying the Pacific using wind, and following the guidance of the sun, stars, and moon to navigate.
Rich and Carol flew Imua One from Detroit to St. Louis on February 18, 2024
Rich and Carol flew Imua One from Detroit to St. Louis on February 18, 2024
Screeshot of inflight Flight Tracker Information |
Parked at the gate in St. Louis |
Louisiana One
Our New Orleans-based Employees go above and beyond to support the New Orleans community and take great pride in the important role they play in providing outstanding Hospitality. As the first state our carrier served beyond the Texas border, we are so grateful to be able to honor our Employees and Customers with this high-flying tribute. We began service to The Pelican State on January 25, 1979, with one nonstop departure to Houston-Hobby. Today, we are proud to be operating more than 70 daily nonstop departures to 29 destinations from New Orleans.
Rich and Carol saw this plane when they visited Maine in August 2021.
Rich and Carol saw this plane when they visited Maine in August 2021.
Rich abd Carol flew on this plane, November 23, 2024, as they flew from STL to BWI.
Jack Vidal
Southwest salutes Jack Vidal, our original VP Maintenance, by dedicating a plane in his name for recognition of 24 years of service and leadership.
Rich and Carol flew on this aircraft.
Rich and Carol flew on this aircraft.
Florida One
Florida One represents our ties to the Sunshine State since beginning service in January of 1996. We opened two cities on the same day back then: Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood and Tampa Bay. We've grown from 17 daily nonstop departures to 284 daily nonstop departures, and now carry 20 percent of all air traffic to the state of Florida. And last (but certainly not least) we begin service to our seventh Florida city, Panama City Beach, on May 23, 2010.
Rich and Carol saw this plane on one of their frequent trips to Florida
Rich and Carol saw this plane on one of their frequent trips to Florida
Herbert D. Kelleher
The aircraft is a flying tribute to Herbert D. Kelleher, one of the co-founders of Southwest Airlines. Sadly, Herb passed away in 2019, but his legacy lives on every day in the Company he helped build, and now in the form of his very own aircraft. And this is but one small part of what makes N871HK special. Everything about the aircraft, all the way down to the tail number itself is designed to pay tribute to Herb as a person, and Southwest Airlines as a whole. So, what combination of factors makes this plane so special?
First, the aircraft is appropriately named “The Herbert D. Kelleher.” Meaning Herb will always have a plane dedicated to him, flying around the country as a mobile tribute. Second, the aircraft wears Southwest’s original livery, often called the “Desert Gold” or “Mustard Rocket” livery. And last, even the tail number is no random number. N871HK has just as much meaning behind it as the aircraft’s paint and name. Southwest Airlines' first revenue flight took to the skies on June 18, 1971. (871). And HK is, of course, Herb Kelleher’s initials. This aircraft isn’t just a pretty coat of paint. It has deep significance to all the Employees at Southwest Airlines.
Rich and Carol saw t he plane in Detroit at the next gate from where they were parked for their flight.
First, the aircraft is appropriately named “The Herbert D. Kelleher.” Meaning Herb will always have a plane dedicated to him, flying around the country as a mobile tribute. Second, the aircraft wears Southwest’s original livery, often called the “Desert Gold” or “Mustard Rocket” livery. And last, even the tail number is no random number. N871HK has just as much meaning behind it as the aircraft’s paint and name. Southwest Airlines' first revenue flight took to the skies on June 18, 1971. (871). And HK is, of course, Herb Kelleher’s initials. This aircraft isn’t just a pretty coat of paint. It has deep significance to all the Employees at Southwest Airlines.
Rich and Carol saw t he plane in Detroit at the next gate from where they were parked for their flight.
Illinois One
In April, 2008, Southwest Airlines honored the State of Illinois with the unveiling of Illinois One, a Boeing 737 emblazoned with an artist's rendering of the state flag. In 2022 the plane was retired and a new 737-800 relaced the originakl Innois One.
Rich and Carol saw the plane parked at the Pittsburgh airport.
Rich and Carol saw the plane parked at the Pittsburgh airport.
Southwest Airlines Illinois One: 737-800 (Taken at the Pittsburgh Airport 2024)
Original Illinois One: 737-700 (Taken 2008)
New Mexico One
The flag of the state of New Mexico is applied across this aircraft. The tail of N781WN, a Boeing 737-700, was repainted into the new "Heart" colors in 2018, while the rest of the fuselage remained the same. After N781WN was retired in June 2023, the "New Mexico One" livery was painted onto N8655D, a Boeing 737-800, just one month later
Rich saw this plane parked at the gate next to the one he was leabing St. Louis from in July, 2024
Rich saw this plane parked at the gate next to the one he was leabing St. Louis from in July, 2024
Freedom One
Freedom One features the 50 stars and 13 stripes from the flag of the United States of America, and is the first Boeing 737-800 to join our unique paint schemes.
Put into service on June 18, 2021, Southwest celebrated 50 years of giving people the freedom to fly. The aircraft is a high-flying tribute to our nation, our military, and our Southwest Family of more than 50,000 Employees.
Rich and Carol were parke next to Freedom One at the St. Louis airport as they were waiting to leave for Miami on a cold, snowy day last March 5, 2025.
Put into service on June 18, 2021, Southwest celebrated 50 years of giving people the freedom to fly. The aircraft is a high-flying tribute to our nation, our military, and our Southwest Family of more than 50,000 Employees.
Rich and Carol were parke next to Freedom One at the St. Louis airport as they were waiting to leave for Miami on a cold, snowy day last March 5, 2025.
