Honeywell has announced that Southwest Airlines is equipping its entire Boeing 737 fleet with SmartRunway and SmartLanding software to bolster runway safety.
Enabled through the Honeywell Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) already installed on Southwest’s aircraft, over 700 planes have been activated with this technology to date.
SmartRunway and SmartLanding enhance flight crew situational awareness during taxiing, take-off, and landing by providing aural and visual alerts to promote stabilised approaches.
The software proactively warns pilots of excessive speed, excessive altitude, or incorrect runway approaches, helping to prevent incidents that could lead to runway accidents.
Certified for most Airbus, Boeing, and numerous business aviation platforms, this technology strengthens safety across diverse aircraft types.
Other aviation safety solutions
Honeywell is also developing its next-generation runway safety solution, Surface Alerts (SURF-A), currently under testing with certification anticipated for commercial air transport aircraft in 2026, pending regulatory approval.
SURF-A leverages GPS data, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast equipment, and advanced analytics to deliver direct aural and visual alerts about potential runway traffic, further enhancing safety through the EGPWS platform.
This initiative builds on a long-standing partnership between Honeywell and Southwest. In 2015, Southwest selected Honeywell’s flight-deck systems for its order of 240 Boeing 737 MAX airliners, complementing its 737 Next Generation fleet already equipped with Honeywell cockpit avionics.
Southwest was also the first airline to adopt Honeywell’s Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver technology, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge aviation solutions.
"Today's pilots face increasing challenges including unpredictable weather and dense traffic in limited airspace, forcing them to make split-second decisions during takeoff and landing. Fortunately, as the challenges evolve, so does the technology that provides the information they need in real time," said Jim Currier, president and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. "Southwest is continuing to put pilots and passengers first by investing in SmartRunway and SmartLanding software across its fleet."
"Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Southwest," said Andrew Watterson, chief operating officer at Southwest Airlines. "Honeywell's SmartRunway and SmartLanding software will provide our pilots with enhanced situational awareness to ensure the highest level of safety while operating on runways throughout the network."
