At the Paris Air Show, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies announced that Southwest Airlines is in the process of fully activating its SmartRunway and SmartLanding safety systems across the airline’s entire fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. The software, designed to enhance situational awareness and prevent runway incidents, utilizes Honeywell’s Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), which is already installed on Southwest’s aircraft. To date, more than 700 planes have been activated with the upgraded technology.
SmartRunway and SmartLanding provide flight crews with real-time aural and visual alerts during critical phases of flight—including taxi, takeoff, and landing. The system alerts pilots if an aircraft is moving too fast, flying too high on approach, or heading toward an incorrect runway. These alerts help prevent runway incursions and other incidents by promoting stabilized approaches and timely decision-making.
“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,” 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.”
A Strategic Move to Enhance Safety
The integration of Honeywell’s runway safety suite underscores Southwest’s ongoing commitment to improving safety across its operations. The SmartRunway and SmartLanding technology is already certified for most Airbus and Boeing models, as well as a variety of business aviation platforms.
Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Airlines, emphasized the carrier’s safety-first approach: “Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Southwest. 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.”
Looking Ahead: Next-Gen Safety Tech on the Horizon
Honeywell also revealed developments in its next-generation runway safety software—Surface Alerts (SURF-A)—which is currently undergoing testing. Expected to receive regulatory certification by 2026, SURF-A will build on the EGPWS platform and further improve situational awareness in high-traffic runway environments.
SURF-A uses GPS, Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) equipment, and advanced analytics to detect and alert pilots of potential runway traffic conflicts. Like SmartRunway and SmartLanding, SURF-A provides direct aural and visual cues in the cockpit, offering pilots critical information in real time.
With this layered approach to safety technology, Honeywell aims to provide aviation operators with increasingly sophisticated tools to mitigate risks in complex and congested airport settings.
Conclusion
As air traffic continues to rebound and global skies become more crowded, Southwest’s adoption of Honeywell’s runway safety systems reflects a proactive stance on safety innovation. These enhancements are expected to strengthen the airline’s safety record, empower flight crews with actionable data, and further protect passengers during the most crucial stages of flight.
