SWA Overwater certification ?
 

Does anyone have any idea what the status of SWA's overwater certification program is at this time? How far completed is it at this point? Estimated date for flights to locations besides SJU. Or is SWA waiting on Amadeus upgrade to their reservations system in order to start flying to these cities.

I believe they will need the new reservations system for assigned seating requirements. When that is ready is anyone's guess.

TO: ALL PILOTS
FROM: VICE PRESIDENT FLIGHT OPERATIONS DATE: MAY 17, 2013
RE: Completion of Class II Navigation Validation Flights

Southwest Airlines successfully completed FAA validation flights for Class II Navigation and extended overwater operations. These non-revenue flights were operated from BWI to SJU on Class II routes through WATRS airspace and validated our training, procedures, and contingencies for both Flight Crews and Dispatchers. In the coming days, the FAA will officially approve our request to add these authorizations to our OpSpecs.

Training for these procedures is still underway and will be completed in the next few months. We plan to begin operating Class II routes in August.

Welcome to the 1950's, WN. ;)

There is no requirement for assigned seating.

Not for Overwater or Class II . . . . the requirement applies to International Ops.

...nevermind

If you look at Flightaware history for the past few weeks, SWA has been doing BWI-SJU, but they are definitely not operating in the WATRS area. . . . Looks like everything's going over NUCAR and GTK, so not sure if that's still 162 or not, but definitely not WATRS.

Incorrect.

There are no requirements for assigned seating on international flights.

You sound like you're in the know. What's taking so long then?