Southwest Airlines unveils “Tennessee One”

Southwest Airlines unveils a high-flying tribute to the state of Tennessee with dedicated aircraft.

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) today (February 22) celebrated more than 30 years of service in the state of Tennessee with the unveiling of the airline’s newest specialty aircraft—Tennessee One—a Boeing 737-700, emblazoned with an artist’s rendition of the Tennessee State flag.

In true Music City fashion, Southwest honored Nashville Employees and Customers with live music performances by Republic Nashville Recording Artist, A Thousand Horses, and Columbia Recording Artist, Maren Morris, celebrating with community members, partners, and state and local government officials.

Southwest continued the celebration, boarding Tennessee One with Employees, Customers, and community members to take flight from Nashville to Memphis, Tenn. During the flight, the beat continued as guests were entertained with a surprise Live at 35® inflight performance by Tennessee native and RCA Records Nashville Recording Artist, Chris Young, along with Republic Nashville Recording Artist, Cassadee Pope. The pair, who have been on the road for Young’s I’m Comin’ Over Tour, treated Customers to an acoustic version of their duet, “Think Of You.” The flight arrived to Memphis with a water arch salute and a fanfare welcome by Memphis Employees, airport leadership, community members, and local and state officials, with a special performance by Memphis favorite, Ghost Town Blues Band.

Southwest Airlines began service in Nashville on March 18, 1986, with eight nonstop departures to two cities. The airline currently operates more than 80 daily nonstop departures to 33 destinations from Nashville. Southwest began service in Memphis on Nov. 3, 2013, with six nonstop departures to five cities. The airline currently operates nine daily nonstop flights to six destinations from Memphis.

Tennessee One joins ten other 737s in the Southwest fleet that carry unique, state-themed paint schemes: Arizona One, California One, Colorado One, Florida One, Illinois One, Lone Star One (Texas), Maryland One, Missouri One, Nevada One, and New Mexico One.

Photo: Southwest Airlines. Boeing 737-7H4 N922WN (msn 32461) is now “Tennessee One”. In 2009 this airframe was the famous, but short-lived, Bar Rafaeli of the Sport Illustrated Sport Illustrated swimsuit issue.