Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief Jim Albaugh is stressing that whatever direction the airframer takes in future narrowbody developments, its key customer Southwest Airlines will be "very involved" in the process.

Responding to a query that Southwest is pushing for the development of a clean-sheet narrowbody, Albaugh says he spoke to Kelly last week, and those discussions focused on both a re-engined option and a brand new design.

Albaugh says that whatever Boeing ultimately decides to do, it will be "something Gary Kelly likes". Southwest is one of Boeing's largest 737 customers, operating 543 of the type.

Source: Flight Daily News