Several former terminal buildings were later remodeled into support and training buildings for Southwest.

"If Boeing is not willing to raise production and build for Southwest, you can be sure they won't accommodate anyone else."

Lower operating costs and an expected increase in market share for Southwest would have more than made up for the initial costs, she said.

Was there a lesson in this for Southwest?

That is easier for Southwest to do, because its planes typically make more trips each day than those at the big airlines.

The expansion prospects for Southwest are now so strong that the airline's big challenge is to pick its way carefully through many potential paths.

But we like Boeing's service and the 737 is very clearly the best plane for Southwest.

"We started cataloging the experience of working for Southwest," he said.

Things do look bad for Southwest, don't they?

Winning over more business travelers is crucial for Southwest, he added.