Boeing has taken its first formal step towards launching a replacement for the 737, appointing key personnel to the internal study that has been downplayed for the past several years.

Target date of 2012-2015 for a sucessor to the 737 Next Generation twin jet.

full article

I thought they would just keep extending the current model until it holds 300 pax. 737-100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900. 1000?

So i take it that is what SWA will be buying after their 737-7 start showing some age

My bet is that it will be compatable with the 737 type rating.

My first thought was "no way", but you're probably correct. However, I wonder how retaining the type commonality/compatibility will be compatible with a redesign radical enough to make it worth the attempt? I can see how modern electronics,etc, can make a new aircraft mimic it's older brother, but I don't see how the systems that accomplish the jobs using markedly different methods can possibly be similar enough to allow a common type.

I realize that you didn't say "common", but for all intents and purposes, it's either common or nothing. A "compatible" rating would still require a massive transition training disruption; and "compatible" rating would require the FAA's blessing to allow your pilots to fly multiple types on the same trip. Maybe you boys have that much clout with the Feds, but I tend to doubt it. Even if you do, the time/effort/money required to gain FAA acceptance will be large, quite large. In short, making the airplanes similar enought to allow the crews to fly 73's one leg, and mini787's the next is easily possible, getting the Feds to allow doing so will be more trouble.

skybolt

Skybolt, I don't know what your backround is but take it from someone who's flown 737 -2's, 3's, 5's and 700's... the leap from a -200 to the NG700 was shear amazement that it could be flown interchangeably. So having seen this done, it would not suprise me to see it done again. As far as SWA's clout with the FAA, it is really a matter between Boeing and the FAA. We were the launch customer for the -700 and one of the purchase stipulations was that it must be type compatable with the classics. As far as monetary incentive, I think Boeing would try very hard to make it happen if they could sell +/- 500 units to one customer. We have purchased 500+ 737's already. I certainly don't have a crystal ball but just a feeling.