Before DFW’s rise, Dallas Love Field was North Texas’s main gateway, hosting Braniff, Delta, and American Airlines. In 1971, Southwest Airlines made Dallas Love Field its home. This video by YouTube user Starboard76 shows unique footage of Southwest’s early days, including the rare Southwest Airlines 727.
In the early 1970s, Southwest Airlines served intrastate flights from Dallas Love Field. The footage captures Southwest’s 737-200s and the rare Southwest Airlines 727. The story of the Southwest Airlines 727 is intriguing. Southwest, now known for its 737 fleet, briefly operated the 727-200 twice.
The first instance involved a late 1970s settlement with Braniff, allowing Southwest to use the 727-200 briefly. The second instance had Southwest leasing 727-200s from PSA for west coast expansion until more 737-300s arrived.
Southwest’s early operations at Dallas Love Field show its innovative spirit. The Southwest Airlines 727 highlights a unique chapter in the airline’s history and its commitment to growth. As Southwest Airlines continues to soar, its early days at Dallas Love Field remain essential, enriched by rare footage like Starboard76’s video.
Southwest Airlines Operated a Boeing 727-200?
Yep! Twice actually! Southwest is known for their large fleet of 737s, They’ve flow the jet since their founding in 1971. As part of a settlement with Braniff, Southwest operated a Boeing 727-200 for a short period in the late ’70s. Southwest also operated a small subfleet leased from PSA to augment west coast expansion before a sufficient fleet of Boeing 737-300s could be delivered.
Interested in more about the history of Dallas Love?
Be sure to check out this article below highlighting Braniff’s failed gondola experiment.
