Southwest Airlines, launch customer of Boeing 737-500 aircraft, says goodbye to its last 737-500 aircraft after operating the final 737-500 scheduled services on September 5. This marks the end of over 26 years of the airline's 737-500 operation and a major milestone in Southwest's fleet modernization.

Southwest's final revenue 737-500 flight WN337 departed from EI Paso at 8:30 p.m. and landed Dallas Love Field at 10:48 p.m. local time, according to Flightradar24.

As the launch customer of the 737-500, Southwest ordered 20 aircraft in 1987 and started receiving the aircraft in 1990. By 1992, Southwest operated 25 737-500s.

Currently, Southwest operates six 737-500 aircraft (N521SW, N522SW, N525SW, N5226SW, N527SW, N528SW) with four more inactive.

Besides, the Seattle-based carrier plans four 737-500 ferry flight to Tucson on Sep. 6, with flights 8500-8503.

By fall of next year, all 737-300 aircraft will be retired from the fleet making way for an all 737 Next Generation (-700 and -800) and 737 MAX (-7 and -8) fleet.