Flying a route that I’ve done a number of times IRL but with a flight number no longer in use. First time was back in May of 2018 on N5839V, which was also: (A) My first time on a Southwest 737-800, (B) my first time on a Heart livery Southwest aircraft, (C) my first time on a 737 with split-scimitar winglets, and (D) my first flight with Southwest since August of 2013. If anyone is wondering precisely how I recall the flight number and registration, my memory may be good, but not that good. I got it off of my YouTube channel, which meant scrolling back a bit. Anyway, here’s the flight.
Server: Solo
Airline: Southwest Airlines
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Origin: Nashville International Airport, Nashville, Tennessee (BNA)
Destination: Tampa International Airport, Tampa, Florida (TPA)
Flight Number: WN5626
Route: KBNA-KTPA
Seat: 22F (Economy)
Time En Route: 1 Hour 36 Minutes
Boarding in the evening in Music City at Gate C25. Since Nashville and Tampa are both operating bases for Southwest Airlines, there’s a large number of flights connecting the number-3 airport in the Mid-South and the number-3 airport in Florida.
Taxiing out for takeoff. Besides Southwest, if you’re wanting to fly to Tampa Bay, American Eagle operates a twice-daily service on its Embraer 170 and 175 regional jets.
Holding short of Runway 02C while waiting for a Flexjet Challenger 350 to depart for Gulfport, Mississippi
Taking off for Tampa!
Cruising at 37,000 feet as the sun goes down
In the middle of our final descent into Tampa Bay
Landing in Tampa after just under 100 minutes since wheels up
Exiting the runway and starting our taxi over to the C Gates. Unfortunately, one of Tampa’s biggest denizens, Silver Airways, has recently ceased all flying. Back when I was flying through Tampa, their workhorse was the Saab 340, although those were retired and replaced by the ATR 72.
Deplaned at Gate C33 in a relatively-quiet TPA