Southwest Airlines Flight Diverts to Los Angeles Due to Engine Malfunction
On Thursday, September 11, a Southwest Airlines flight en route to Phoenix, Arizona, conducted an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) following the failure of its left-hand engine during ascent from Burbank. As reported by AvHerald, the aircraft diverted and landed safely without any injuries to passengers or crew.
Flight Details and Incident
Flight WN 1394 was a regular service by Southwest, the Dallas-based low-cost airline, from Burbank International Airport (BUR) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The flight utilized a Boeing 737-700.
Emergency Diversion to LAX
According to Flightradar24, WN 1394 was scheduled for departure at 07:20 on September 11, but was slightly delayed, taking off at 07:35. After departure from Burbank’s runway 15L, the Boeing 737-700 encountered a failure of the left-hand CFM56 engine during its climb.
- The crew addressed the issue using appropriate checklists and initially considered returning to Burbank.
- Ultimately, they redirected to Los Angeles International Airport, opting for the westward runway 24L, which spans 10,885 feet.
- The aircraft successfully landed approximately 34 minutes after its initial takeoff.
A representative from Southwest Airlines confirmed that the flight safely diverted to LAX due to an engine issue. The aircraft taxied to a gate, and passengers were accommodated on subsequent flights to Phoenix. The spokesperson emphasized the crew’s professionalism and reiterated the company’s priority of customer and employee safety.
Aircraft Information
The Boeing 737-700 involved, serial number N465WN, first flew on June 1, 2004, and joined Southwest’s fleet on June 14 of the same year. Currently, the aircraft is 21.3 years old and configured in all-economy class for 143 passengers. Southwest, a leading operator of Boeing 737s, has a fleet of 334 Boeing 737-700s.
| Aircraft Type | In Operation | On Order | Number Of Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-700 | 334 | – | 143 |
| Boeing 737-800 | 203 | – | 175 |
| Boeing 737 MAX 7 | – | 314 | 150 |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 273 | 196 | 175 |
Southwest plans to phase out its 737-700s by replacing them with the Boeing 737 MAX 7 by 2031. The MAX 8 will take over the 737-800 fleet.
Southwest’s Burbank Operations
Southwest Airlines is the leading carrier at Burbank, operating over half of all flights. From June 2024 to May 2025, it offered more than 3.6 million seats, giving it a market share of 55%, compared to Alaska Airlines’ 9%. Key routes from Burbank include Las Vegas, Oakland, and Phoenix.
In addition, Southwest will introduce a year-round service to Santa Rosa, starting April 7, with expansions in routes from the Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport to Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego.
Southwest’s operational highlights include:
- Airline Type: Low-Cost Carrier
- Hub Airports: Baltimore/Washington, Dallas Love Field, Denver, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Houston Hobby, Los Angeles, Chicago Midway, Oakland, Orlando, Phoenix Sky Harbor
- Year Founded: 1967
The airline services 17 domestic locations year-round from Burbank and offers seasonal service to Portland, Oregon, during summer.
