Southwest Airlines signs historic deal for AvioBook’s technology & hardware suite
DALLAS, November 9, 2023- Southwest Airlines, the largest U.S. airline in terms of domestic passengers, has chosen AvioBook, a Thales Group Company, to equip its fleet with an industry-leading technology portfolio. Supported by AvioBook, Southwest aims to further optimize operations with environmentally sustainable solutions.
The carrier’s multi-year contract with AvioBook provides Southwest with the most innovative technology platform on the market. The deal includes the only fully-integrated Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and Electronic Logbook (eLB) solution on the market to improve efficiency throughout the operation. Southwest has also signed an agreement to equip the world’s largest all Boeing 737 NG fleet with AvioBook’s Aircraft Interface Device (AID), known as AvioCast. Once installed, it will provide real time aircraft data to various operational groups. AvioBook’s comprehensive suite of software and hardware is designed to further mitigate safety risks, enhance compliance, add technology redundancy and resiliency, and increase environmental sustainability, all while enabling shorter turn times.
Southwest has long been a trailblazer in incorporating digital technologies to improve the Employee and Customer experience. The AvioBook suite will help eliminate the 88 million pages of paper still being printed annually and will give users the confidence of having the latest information at their fingertips, with data updated as and when the situation changes.
AvioBook’s FAA-approved solution is built on user-centric product design as well as robust and reliable integrations meaning pilots can easily find the information they need, when they need it. To ensure full user engagement, implementation will be gradual with the first benefits of the project expected to be seen in 2024.
With Southwest as part of the customer community, AvioBook strengthens its leadership position in the EFB market handling a fleet of over 4,000 tails and 100,000 flights per week.
“Southwest is thrilled to collaborate with AvioBook to modernize our operation and introduce cutting-edge technology solutions directly benefiting our frontline Employees. These advancements not only streamline processes but also eliminate numerous paper-based documents. This shift empowers our Employees to dedicate more time and focus on delivering Southwest Hospitality to our valued Customers.” Steve Christl, Vice President Ops Strategy & Implementation, Southwest Airlines
“Being able to support Southwest’s digital transformation is a great source of pride for everyone at AvioBook. We look forward to helping bring together all Southwest stakeholders from across the airline, improving communications and workflows while eliminating paper.” Frédéric Dru, AvioBook CEO
