Southwest Airlines has just revealed a new special livery, which will surely turn heads at airports…
In this post:
Southwest’s red, white, and blue Boeing 737, with “1776” tail number
Southwest Airlines is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding, with the introduction of Independence One, a brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 in a special livery. Southwest points out how it carries more travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline.
Side note — I love how airlines carve out these narrow claims. Soon we’ll hear Spirit promoting how it carriers more travelers nonstop in the United States than any other airline that has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy twice in the past two years.
So, what makes this plane special? It has several unique design elements, intended to commemorate the nation:
- It has a red, white, and blue paint scheme, with “1776” written in giant quill script
- “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” (from the Declaration of Independence) is written on the side of the plane
- It has 13 stars on the fuselage, denoting the 13 original colonies
- The plane has has a circle of stars on each engine cowling, reflecting the original Betsy Ross flag
- The aircraft’s registration code is N1776R, with the “1776” of course having meaning (you can track the plane here)
- The plane has an “America250” decal on the nose and winglets
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attended the unveiling ceremony of the new plane. Southwest also announced its partnership with America250, the organization tasked with celebrating this milestone.
This is Southwest’s third patriotic Boeing 737 livery
You may be thinking “wait a second, doesn’t Southwest already have planes with patriotic liveries?” Well, you’d be correct. The new special Independence One aircraft joins two additional America-themed planes — Freedom One, which has been in the fleet since 2021, and Liberty One, a second newly introduced aircraft painted in an American flag theme.
Here’s what Southwest CEO Bob Jordan had to say about this trio of aircraft:
“With our new Independence One and Liberty One aircraft, we honor this important milestone in our nation’s history, and the generations of Customers that Southwest has carried. They join our Freedom One aircraft in uniting families, bringing service members home, flying entrepreneurs chasing an opportunity, and helping communities stay connected. Southwest is proud to be a part of the 250th national celebration and to honor the same spirit of innovation, resilience, and optimism that has shaped our country and our Company.”
Bottom line
Southwest Airlines is getting even more patriotic than ever before, and now has three planes in United States themed liveries. The newest of these is Independence One, a brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 in a red, white, and blue paint scheme. The plane has all kinds of other features commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, and it’ll certainly stand out at airports.
What do you make of Southwest’s Independence One?
Love them! Hope I fly in one soon!
Awesome!!
Beautiful patriotic plane to honor America's 250th.
Simply beautiful!!
I am surprised there is not an image of Trump somewhere in this livery due to his insistence.
DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE ABOUT TDS?
someone smells bailout $$
So much to be proud of … yeah right
In today's era of false patriotism brandished by the fascists who took over the US government, it's hard to celebrate this sort of thing.
On top of that, that's downright garish. Like wearing a star spangled body suit. Ick.
And you're the part of the problem. A real big problem.
All you describe is patriotism as a symbolic expression to be politically correct.
It doesn't matter who is the government or whose d*ck you're trying to suck.
1776 represents part of history. Which propaganda you believe about 1776 is up to you. There is always more than one side to history. The losing side facts tend to disappear through time.
Regardless it doesn't change...
And you're the part of the problem. A real big problem.
All you describe is patriotism as a symbolic expression to be politically correct.
It doesn't matter who is the government or whose d*ck you're trying to suck.
1776 represents part of history. Which propaganda you believe about 1776 is up to you. There is always more than one side to history. The losing side facts tend to disappear through time.
Regardless it doesn't change history. What happend in 1776 has already happened. And we remember it in the way we believe or propaganda tells us to believe.
You celebrate what you believe and the significance of history. Not who is currently government. 1776 stands for 1776 not 2026.
On top of that, if you see it as garish it's always going to be garish. You will always see only a body suit, not a flag and never for what it stands for.
Flag to you is just optics not what the flag stands for.
Shouldn't the SWA Planes be Draped By the Israeli Flags,since most of the stocks are owned By Investment Firms Like Elliott Investment (Pollock CEO), Black Rock (Larry Fink) All Israelis!
Ironic to think that an original variant of the model… the 737… could have served in this role in at the 200th anniversary…
I wonder if Secretary Duffy brought enough towels for everyone to dance at the unveiling.
"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel", Samuel Johnson, 1775.
You mean the guy in the two-frame meme (looking at the paper)?
Also, he was a staunch opponent of the American Revolution... *downvote*
There's nothing wrong with being proud of where you're from, but there is something very wrong with the livery designers Southwest employs
ugly as all hell
Instead of wings, they give orange face paint to child passengers - and many adults, too.
Way too much, Although it does look better without the tacky yellow and red tail
And still no "Oklahoma One" plane
Oh, they've got an "Oklahoma One" alright, but it's not a plane. It's a rust-bucket TUG out in Tulsa, driven by a true master craftsman, hauling your bag out so some clown can hammer-throw it onto the loading belt.
A bit over the top, but still looking very solid. Happy 250!
Weird for Southwest to be doing this instead of one of the bigger carriers, but I guess what's more American than having a strong history of loyalty, but then flushing it down the toilet to make an extra buck?
Um. A little much rootin-tootin Texas for my taste. Each to their own
If it was really "rootin-tootin Texas". It would have only one star.
That ass must have one helluva taste that everyone is salivating to lick it.
The best Southwest livery was the orca killer whale , which evoked the streamlines of both the orca and the aircraft . Brilliant and fun .
Someone like @Bruce knows nothing of the world and what many parts of the world are like. Maybe go to Thailand where prostitutes (very under aged men and women) come up to you on the streets at night desperate for "work."
If you know nothing maybe not add to the conversation.
Kudos to Southwest for doing this. This country has been very good to that airline.
Woah, even for you, that's quite the red-herring you got there...
lmao right, that escalated quickly
I don’t understand what Thai sex workers have to do with American so-called “freedom”. But if you must know, I have been to Thailand, I have actually worked in Thailand, and there is plenty of freedom there as well.
Bruce, apparently, there's too much freedom in Thailand... (just don't post that shirtless photo of their king...)
Or bad hotel reviews.
Someone forgot to tell America that there is freedom in other countries and that America has the highest actual number, and percentage of its population in prison (therefore not free) of any country in the world. The mythology of American exceptionalism and its pride in a fake country on land stolen from genocided indigenous people is really an illness.
We're well-aware that the ideals of the United States of America are still worthy, though, yes, we've failed, many times, to uphold them. Instead of giving up, let's keep striving for better. Our next major elections are in about 189 days.
Freedom is not a value of America. Aside from the fact that America was founded on the genocide of an indigenous people, America has been exporting violence and oppression across the whole world for 100 years, from Nicaragua, to Chile, to Vietnam, to Cambodia, to Iraq and Afghanistan, and many more. America does not “fail at times to uphold its values”. Freedom is just not a value that America has. America’s core value is violent oppression.
Bruce, the livery on this particular aircraft literally says 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness'... those are distinctly 'United States of American' values, as stated in our Declaration of Independence (1776), even if often neglected. I understand you critique of American 'exceptionalism' and it's wild for me to be one of the few on here still defending its ideals. We have a difficult history of attempting to balance individualism with equity, federalism, and a...
Bruce, the livery on this particular aircraft literally says 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness'... those are distinctly 'United States of American' values, as stated in our Declaration of Independence (1776), even if often neglected. I understand you critique of American 'exceptionalism' and it's wild for me to be one of the few on here still defending its ideals. We have a difficult history of attempting to balance individualism with equity, federalism, and a mixed economy; and yet, we're a nation of immigrants, a heterogenous, multi-cultural, secular 'melting pot.' Have you found a better system/way? If so, please, help.
The fact that you think America has the best system is a demonstration of your superiority complex (American exceptionalism). If we set aside the fact that Americans benefit from a higher standard of living because of exploitation of people in the third world (cheap labour in sweatshops in Bangladesh, resource extraction, 800+ foreign military bases to enforce all this, etc.), your system is very, very far from being “the best”. Your cops are incredible violent...
The fact that you think America has the best system is a demonstration of your superiority complex (American exceptionalism). If we set aside the fact that Americans benefit from a higher standard of living because of exploitation of people in the third world (cheap labour in sweatshops in Bangladesh, resource extraction, 800+ foreign military bases to enforce all this, etc.), your system is very, very far from being “the best”. Your cops are incredible violent compared to almost everywhere else. You pay ridiculous amounts of money for healthcare. You pollute crazy amounts of greenhouse gases. You have no social safety net. Your literacy rate is very low and average IQ also very low. Your “top-tier universities” are only for the incredible rich and most STEM research goes into AI development slop for billionaire profit. And even if your country somehow was the best in the world, it is only top dog because it bombs and kills people in the rest of the world to maintain the system of global capitalism for which America is the leader and grand oppressor. You are the big enemy of freedom in the world. And finally, you only think of how well America applies its supposed “values” to its own citizens. What about the citizens of Iraq? What about the citizens of Gaza? What about the citizens of Vietnam? Cambodia? Laos? Bosnia? Nicaragua? Hawaii? Korea? Yemen? Libya? Honduras? Cuba? Do they not count? Only America counts?
Nice of you to log-in, Diamond Bruce! I didn't say the US system is the 'best'... I asked you for a better option. Historically, even the well-intentioned 'democracies' can become genocidal autocracies. I've advocated on here plenty for a better social safety net, especially within the context of worker and consumer protections with airlines; I think the EU, UK, and Canada, for instance, have better regulations that actually compensate passengers who airlines fail them. Much...
Nice of you to log-in, Diamond Bruce! I didn't say the US system is the 'best'... I asked you for a better option. Historically, even the well-intentioned 'democracies' can become genocidal autocracies. I've advocated on here plenty for a better social safety net, especially within the context of worker and consumer protections with airlines; I think the EU, UK, and Canada, for instance, have better regulations that actually compensate passengers who airlines fail them. Much of the rest that you cherry-picked are pretty wild tropes (and some repeats from before.) Let's get to the real question: Do you really think Xi is doing better? Would the Uyghurs agree?
First of all, why does it matter whether I’ve logged in or not? I’m not using an alias either way. Secondly, you said “find me a better system” which means you think the US is the best system..? This is a logical conclusion. I’m glad you think America should have a better social safety net but the fact is it doesn’t, so my point stands. Thirdly, you did not address my final point which was...
First of all, why does it matter whether I’ve logged in or not? I’m not using an alias either way. Secondly, you said “find me a better system” which means you think the US is the best system..? This is a logical conclusion. I’m glad you think America should have a better social safety net but the fact is it doesn’t, so my point stands. Thirdly, you did not address my final point which was the most important. The US is responsible for millions upon millions of deaths of innocent civilians around the world over the last 100 years. From direct military violence, to being the largest supplier, funder and supporter of some of the most devastating regimes in the world, the US is the primary and most enthusiastic supporter of violence in the world today. The human rights abuses of the Uyghurs in China is unacceptable but I don’t understand what bearing it has on this discussion? There is no military violence, bombing, shooting or killing of the Uyghurs so how does it compare to American bombing of all the countries I listed earlier? Please explain your logic and address my whole argument when responding, not just the points you think are convenient for you to respond to.
Ah, yes, it is THE Bruce. Thank goodness no aliases here... Phew! The US does have social safety programs, like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and more, but clearly they're not enough; for instance, I'd like to see universal healthcare (proposals for 'Medicare for All' seem like a good start). Again, I asked for your ideas on how to make things better, here, elsewhere, anywhere. These are human problem, not just a USA or China problem....
Ah, yes, it is THE Bruce. Thank goodness no aliases here... Phew! The US does have social safety programs, like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and more, but clearly they're not enough; for instance, I'd like to see universal healthcare (proposals for 'Medicare for All' seem like a good start). Again, I asked for your ideas on how to make things better, here, elsewhere, anywhere. These are human problem, not just a USA or China problem. You're welcome to respond to anything or nothing; likewise, I will not commit to address any and every point you make; there are no standards of evidence or procedure here. You do you, Bruce.
You didn’t address my main point, nor did you ask me how to make things better but since you asked now, I’ll answer. The destruction of American geopolitical and military power abroad will help everyone and make things better. America is the enemy of freedom in the world, and a coalition of countries who have been the victims of imperialism should and someday will challenge and defeat American global hegemony. Countries will kick off American...
You didn’t address my main point, nor did you ask me how to make things better but since you asked now, I’ll answer. The destruction of American geopolitical and military power abroad will help everyone and make things better. America is the enemy of freedom in the world, and a coalition of countries who have been the victims of imperialism should and someday will challenge and defeat American global hegemony. Countries will kick off American military bases from their land. They will stop buying American products. They will stop trading international commodities using the dollar. They will end military and economic cooperation with the US. They might even develop nuclear weapons. And once American power around the world starts to falter, and America is treated as a rogue state as it should be, the house of cards will collapse. American economic power will disintegrate and the economy will collapse because the American domestic economy won’t be able to sustain the basic needs of its own population. And this will lead to severe political unrest. See, Americans think this can never happen. All they’ve ever known is America being top dog. But history tells us otherwise. This will happen, and it’s only a matter of time. Capitalism hasn’t been around that long, and it won’t be for much longer. I know you will try and say that I don’t know anything, but I have done plenty of research within and beyond my degree in history and politics. Eventually, a revolution, be it communist or anti-imperialist or something of that nature, will destroy the relations of capital globally, and we can start to build a better system than the one we have now.
Bruce, it’ll probably be more like what the British experienced at the end of their ‘Empire,’ which is to say, not so chaotic or violent as you describe. Our own (2nd) civil war or balkanization is simply not good for Americans or the world. You’re oversimplifying a lot. And, again, not really suggesting anything productive; you’re just rooting for destruction. Not great. (So, UAE? I see Etihad on your photo. Sorry about the last few...
Bruce, it’ll probably be more like what the British experienced at the end of their ‘Empire,’ which is to say, not so chaotic or violent as you describe. Our own (2nd) civil war or balkanization is simply not good for Americans or the world. You’re oversimplifying a lot. And, again, not really suggesting anything productive; you’re just rooting for destruction. Not great. (So, UAE? I see Etihad on your photo. Sorry about the last few months. Most Americans didn’t want any of that.)
stay salty
Bruce-
No myth. Nine of the ten major technological breakthroughs that allow you to post your Anti-American hate speech on an Internet website were developed by Americans, with the bulk of them coming from Bell Labs alone.
Why is European conolization of the Americas the only evil in the world?, when similar movement and wars have occurred since long before Moses parted the Red Sea. Did the Native American tribes that pushed othet...
Bruce-
No myth. Nine of the ten major technological breakthroughs that allow you to post your Anti-American hate speech on an Internet website were developed by Americans, with the bulk of them coming from Bell Labs alone.
Why is European conolization of the Americas the only evil in the world?, when similar movement and wars have occurred since long before Moses parted the Red Sea. Did the Native American tribes that pushed othet tribes out if an area before Europeans arrive steal the land first? Get a life.
We have good prisons.
Well said, Steve K. I know I'd like things to be better, but I'm certainly not going to 'give up' on us like Bruce seems to be willing to. Would love to see some actual suggestions for improvements, instead of merely guilt-shaming us into oblivion.
@Steve
No one should care where 9 of 10 major breakthroughs came from.
If one really had the ability to part the Red sea, that breakthrough supersedes any technological advances we have to date. We're talking about advance anti gravity force at a very very large scale using a tiny to invisible device.
We have good propaganda not prisons.
Translation: We want their slots and gates, but not their Airbus, workers, or anything else.
(Referring to Gary's recent post about Southwest buying Spirit...)
YOU. DONT. HAVE. TO. RUIN. EVERY. SINGLE. COMMENT. SECTION. WITH. YOUR. RAMBLES.
Take a few off, FFS.
Engage or ignore, amigo. You can comment as much or as little as you wish. (Technically, Ben can remove anything he doesn't like at any moment, even on a whim; it's his site, not yours/mine.)
@Roberto, a few quality minutes with your favorite LLM vibe coding a block script can bring you the peace you desire. The right tool for this is a browser userscript that runs whenever you load a {insert blog site} page and rewrites comments from annoying commentators locally before you see them. Install Tampermonkey (Chrome/Edge/Safari) or Violentmonkey (Firefox), drop this script in, and you're done.
1969, again, fascinating. But, what if Roberto wants to remove my comments from others browsers as well? Like, can an LLM vibe code a hack that would commandeer any website to in-essence become the editor/owner? Perhaps, Roberto wants to be Ben, and decide who's comments are worthy or not...
You sound too tech literate for 1969.
Maybe he/she/it is just into 69... or 19...