Southwest arms 737 fleet with Honeywell smart tech amid scrutiny over runway safety
Southwest Airlines plans to equip its entire Boeing 737 fleet with Honeywell’s SmartRunway and SmartLanding software, aimed at enhancing runway safety.
More than 700 of the carrier’s aircraft have already been fitted with the technology, which operates via Honeywell’s Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), which is already installed across the fleet.
The system delivers real-time audio and visual alerts during taxi, take-off and landing, helping pilots mitigate threats and errors such as unstable approaches, excessive speed, and misaligned runway paths.
The move comes amid growing scrutiny over the safety of operations at US airports, following a series of high-profile near misses that have raised concerns about runway incursions.
Runway incidents spark safety concerns
In March, it was reported that a Southwest Airlines flight attempted to take off from a taxiway at Florida’s Orlando International Airport but was stopped by an air traffic controller who noticed the issue and alerted the crew.
The incident, involving Flight 3278, took place on 20 March. Southwest Airlines said its crew “mistook the surface for the nearby runway”. Passengers later departed on a different aircraft and with different crew, without incident.
Separately, a runway incursion at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) on February 25, 2025, saw a Flexjet Bombardier Challenger 350 cross an active runway without clearance, narrowly avoiding a collision with a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800.
Honeywell’s technology is certified for a wide range of aircraft including most Boeing and Airbus commercial platforms, as well as several business jets.
“Today’s pilots face increasing challenges including unpredictable weather and dense traffic in limited airspace, forcing them to make split-second decisions during takeoff and landing. Fortunately, as the challenges evolve, so does the technology that provides the information they need in real time,” said Jim Currier, president and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace Technologies.
“Southwest is continuing to put pilots and passengers first by investing in SmartRunway and SmartLanding software across its fleet.”
In addition, Honeywell is preparing to roll out its next-generation safety system, Surface Alerts (SURF-A), which it says will be ready for commercial aircraft certification by 2026, pending regulatory approvals.
SURF-A is designed to alert flight crews to potential runway incursions using GPS, ADS-B data and onboard analytics.
“Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Southwest,” said Andrew Watterson, chief operating officer at Southwest Airlines.
“Honeywell’s SmartRunway and SmartLanding software will provide our pilots with enhanced situational awareness to ensure the highest level of safety while operating on runways throughout the network.”
