HONEYWELL RUNWAY SAFETY TECHNOLOGY SELECTED BY SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FOR FLEETWIDE INSTALLATION

Rhea-AI Summary

Honeywell (HON) announced that Southwest Airlines is implementing SmartRunway and SmartLanding software across its Boeing 737 fleet to enhance runway safety, with over 700 aircraft already activated. The technology, enabled through Honeywell's Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), provides pilots with real-time alerts during taxi, take-off, and landing operations. The system warns pilots about excessive speed, incorrect altitude, or wrong runway approaches. Additionally, Honeywell is developing Surface Alerts (SURF-A), a next-generation runway safety technology expected for certification in 2026, which will use GPS and ADS-B data to alert pilots about potential runway traffic. This implementation strengthens the longstanding partnership between Honeywell and Southwest, which previously selected Honeywell's flight-deck systems for its 737 MAX fleet and was the first to adopt Honeywell's Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver technology.

Positive

• Over 700 Southwest aircraft already activated with SmartRunway and SmartLanding software
• Technology enhances pilot situational awareness and reduces runway accident risks
• Strengthens existing partnership with Southwest Airlines, the world's largest 737 operator
• New Surface Alerts (SURF-A) technology in development for 2026 certification

Negative

• None.

Insights

Aerospace Technology Expert

Honeywell secures major safety tech deployment with Southwest, strengthening position in aviation safety market with current and future runway solutions.

Southwest Airlines' fleetwide activation of Honeywell's SmartRunway and SmartLanding software represents a significant implementation of runway safety technology in commercial aviation. With over 700 aircraft already activated, this deployment addresses one of aviation's most persistent safety challenges - runway incidents during critical flight phases.

The technology builds upon Honeywell's Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) already installed on Southwest's aircraft, providing a software-based enhancement without requiring extensive new hardware installation. This approach offers a cost-effective safety improvement while maximizing existing equipment investments - a key consideration for airlines managing operational costs.

From a technical perspective, SmartRunway and SmartLanding deliver multiple safety layers by providing aural and visual alerts when aircraft are approaching too fast, flying too high, or directed toward incorrect runways. These precise scenarios represent common precursors to runway accidents, making this technology particularly valuable for busy airports with complex runway configurations or challenging weather conditions.

Honeywell's announcement of next-generation Surface Alerts (SURF-A) technology targeted for 2026 certification demonstrates the company's continued innovation pipeline in runway safety. This advanced system will leverage GPS, ADS-B, and analytics to provide direct alerting about potential runway traffic conflicts - addressing another critical safety vector.

This implementation reinforces Honeywell's established position with Southwest, described as "the world's largest 737 platform operator," following previous selections of Honeywell flight-deck systems for Southwest's 737 MAX fleet and pioneering implementation of Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver technology. The scale of this activation across Southwest's extensive fleet validates the market relevance of Honeywell's runway safety solutions and strengthens their position in the critical aviation safety segment.

• SmartRunway and SmartLanding solutions will increase pilots' situational awareness, reduce risk of runway accidents

PARIS, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) today announced that Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) is in the process of activating its entire Boeing 737 aircraft fleet with SmartRunway and SmartLanding software designed to increase runway safety. This capability is enabled via the Honeywell Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) already on Southwest aircraft, and more than 700 aircraft have been activated to date.

SmartRunway and SmartLanding helps increase flight crew situational awareness during taxi, take-off and landing with aural and visual alerts and promotes stabilized approaches. It proactively notifies pilots when they are moving too fast, fly too high or are directed toward the wrong runway, helping to break the chain of events that may lead to runway accidents. SmartRunway and SmartLanding is certified for most Airbus and Boeing aircraft, as well as numerous business aviation platforms. 

"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."

Honeywell's next-generation runway safety technology, Surface Alerts (SURF-A), is now being tested and is expected to be certified on commercial air transport aircraft in 2026 pending regulatory approvals. SURF-A is a groundbreaking cockpit alerting software that uses GPS data, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast equipment and advanced analytics to provide pilots with direct aural and visual alerts of potential runway traffic. Like SmartRunway and SmartLanding, SURF-A is enabled via Honeywell's EGPWS.

This agreement furthers Honeywell's long-standing partnership with Southwest, the world's largest 737 platform operator. In 2015, Southwest selected Honeywell flight-deck systems for its 240-unit order of 737 MAX airliners, adding to its existing fleet of 737 Next Generation models flying with Honeywell cockpit avionics. Southwest was also the first airline to incorporate Honeywell's Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver technology into 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."

About Honeywell

Products and services from Honeywell Aerospace Technologies are found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft, and in many terrestrial systems. The Aerospace Technologies business unit builds aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity systems, mechanical components, power systems, and more. Its hardware and software solutions create more fuel-efficient aircraft, more direct and on-time flights and safer skies and airports. For more information, visit aerospace.honeywell.com or follow Honeywell Aerospace Technologies on LinkedIn.

Honeywell is an integrated operating company serving a broad range of industries and geographies around the world. Our business is aligned with three powerful megatrends – automation, the future of aviation and energy transition – underpinned by our Honeywell Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Forge IoT platform. As a trusted partner, we help organizations solve the world's toughest, most complex challenges, providing actionable solutions and innovations through our Aerospace Technologies, Industrial Automation, Building Automation and Energy and Sustainability Solutions business segments that help make the world smarter and safer, as well as more secure and sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

Contact:
Media
Adam Kress  
602-760-6252 
Adam.Kress@honeywell.com 

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SOURCE Honeywell International Inc.

FAQ

What safety technology is Honeywell installing on Southwest Airlines' fleet?

Honeywell is installing SmartRunway and SmartLanding software, which provides pilots with real-time alerts during taxi, take-off, and landing operations through the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS).

How many Southwest Airlines aircraft have been activated with Honeywell's runway safety technology?

Over 700 Southwest Airlines aircraft have been activated with Honeywell's SmartRunway and SmartLanding software.

What is Honeywell's Surface Alerts (SURF-A) technology and when will it be available?

SURF-A is a next-generation runway safety technology that uses GPS and ADS-B data to alert pilots about potential runway traffic. It is expected to be certified for commercial aircraft in 2026, pending regulatory approvals.

What benefits does Honeywell's SmartRunway and SmartLanding software provide?

The software increases flight crew situational awareness during taxi, take-off, and landing with aural and visual alerts, warns about excessive speed or altitude, wrong runway approaches, and helps prevent runway accidents.

What is the history of Honeywell's partnership with Southwest Airlines?

Southwest previously selected Honeywell flight-deck systems for its 737 MAX fleet in 2015 and was the first airline to implement Honeywell's Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver technology.