Southwest Airlines has showcased ‘Independence One’, a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 emblazoned with a vibrant livery to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States (US).
On April 27, 2026, the factory new Boeing 737 MAX 8 was unveiled at a glittering event attended by Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan and US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.
To mark the upcoming celebrations in the US, the 737 MAX 8, registered N1776R, was painted in a red, white, and blue paint scheme with 1776 written across the fuselage in giant quill style script.
The phrase, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” from the Declaration of Independence also features on the aircraft as well as 13 stars on to denote the 13 original colonies.
There is also a circle of stars on each engine cowling reflecting the original Betsy Ross flag and a special ‘1776’ tail number.
A seven-year-old Southwest 737 MAX 8, named ‘Liberty One’ and registered N8719Q, has also undergone a makeover and now features the US flag theme matching 2021’s ‘Freedom One’.
“With our new Independence One and Liberty One aircraft, we honor this important milestone in our nation’s history, and the generations of Customers that Southwest has carried. They join our Freedom One aircraft in uniting families, bringing service members home, flying entrepreneurs chasing an opportunity, and helping communities stay connected,” said Bob Jordan, CEO at Southwest Airlines.
He added: “Southwest is proud to be a part of the 250th national celebration and to honor the same spirit of innovation, resilience, and optimism that has shaped our country and our Company.”
Independence One will officially join the Southwest fleet on April 29, 2026, with its first scheduled flight from the airline’s hometown in Dallas, Texas, to Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.