Airline Post

Southwest Airline announced on Wednesday that they are currently testing various environmentally friendly materials on a refurbished plane, that could mean $10.3 million in savings on fuel for the company. These materials would mean a lighter aircraft and, thus, less fuel being used and fewer emissions.

The refurbished plane is a Boeing 737-700, which cost the airline $40 million; to make it “greener”, they equipped it with a variety of eco-products, from life vests to carpeting. Replacing standard products, with these ones would mean a reduction of about five pounds of weight per seat, meaning 472 pounds for the entire plane.

A plane 472 pounds lighter translates into 9,500 gallons of fuel savings per year, said Marilee McInnis, a Southwest spokeswoman. Southwest Airlines operate 540 aircraft which could save $10.3 million per year. “It you estimate $2 per gallon, which is conservative … that becomes $19,000 per aircraft per year,” McInnis said.

The products will be tested for 6 months to see how well they are received by customers and how reliable they are and based on this, the company will decide whether to include them on all Southwest flights or not. (via Dallas Tribune)

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