Phoenix-Bound Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 Diverts To Los Angeles Due To Engine Failure

On Thursday, September 11, a Southwest Airlines flight destined for Phoenix, Arizona, had to undertake an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) after it was found that the left-hand engine had failed during its ascent from Burbank. The flight was able to divert and land safely as per AvHerald, with no reported injuries on board.

WN 1394 was a scheduled commercial flight operated by the world's largest low-cost carrier, Dallas-based Southwest, between Burbank International Airport (BUR) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The flight was operated by a Boeing 737-700 aircraft.

Diverted To LAX

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Performing WN 1394, the Boeing 737-700 was scheduled to depart from Burbank at 07:20 on the morning of Thursday, September 11; however, it was marginally delayed with eventual pushback at 07:35. The service was expected to arrive in the Arizona capital, Phoenix, at 09:00. After departing from Burbank runway 15L, the aircraft was attempting to ascend to its cruising altitude, but reported an eingine failure to the left hand CFM56 engine.

Crew immediately responded to the concern, working through related checklists to problem-solve the issue, with initial plans to return to Hollywood Burbank Airport for further inspection. However, due to concerns, the pilots eventually decided it would be necessary to divert to one of the country's busiest and largest airports, Los Angeles International (LAX), to make use of the airport's westerly, inbound runway 24L, with a length of 10,885 feet (3,317 meters), some 34 minutes after initial takeoff. A Southwest spokesperson shared the following statement with Simple Flying in relation to the incident:

Southwest Airlines Flight 1394 diverted safely to Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday after experiencing an apparent engine failure while departing from Hollywood Burbank Airport. Following the uneventful landing, the aircraft taxied to a gate at LAX, where we accommodated our Customers on the next flight to Phoenix. We appreciate the professionalism of our Pilots and Flight Attendants in safely handling the situation. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.

Operated By N465WN

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The aircraft at the centre of the drama was Southwest airplane N465WN, serial number 33829. According to ch-aviation, this Boeing 737-700 took its first flight for Boeing on June 1, 2004, before being delivered to the Dallas-based airline later that month, on June 14, 2004. The airline has remained active in its wider operations ever since.

At 21.3 years of age, the airplane has been flying for two decades, and is configured in the low-cost-carriers, standard all-economy class layout, catering for 143 paying passengers. It is powered by two CFMI CFM56-7B24 engines. Southwest, the world's largest operator of Boeing 737, and specifically the 737-700 aircraft, has 334 of the 737-700 in its fleet, which was the launch customer of the type. Below is a snapshot of the airline's current fleet as per ch-aviation:

Southwest plans to utilize the Boeing 737 MAX 7 as the replacement aircraft for the 737-700, with the MAX expected to start flying for the airline by some point next year. This will lead to an eventual full replacement of the -700 by 2031. The MAX 8 will also replace the 737-800 fleet.

Southwest Operations At Burbank

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Southwest remains the largest carrier at Burbank, operating more than half of all flights at the Los Angeles airport. Between June 2024 and May 2025, the airline offered more than 3.6 million seats, representing a market share of 55%. The second closest carrier is Alaska Airlines, with just 9% of operations (624,000 seats). Southwest's busiest routes from BUR include Las Vegas, Oakland, and Phoenix.

A new year-round service from Burbank will take flight for Santa Rosa from April 7, part of Southwest's expansion at Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS), with other flights to commence from California's wine country to Denver, Las Vegas, and San Diego, all starting next April.

tember 29, 2025), Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, Nashville, Oakland, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Reno/Tahoe, Sacramento, Salt Lake City International Airport, San Jose and St. Louis. Seasonal services are added to Portland, Oregon, during the North American summer.

Year-round, Southwest operates to 17 domestic destinations from BUR, including Albuquerque, Austin, Boise, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love, Denver, Houston–Hobby, Kansas City (which will end on September 29, 2025), Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, Nashville, Oakland, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Reno/Tahoe, Sacramento, Salt Lake City International Airport, San Jose and St. Louis. Seasonal services are added to Portland, Oregon, during the North American summer.