- Southwest Airlines is hinting at an upcoming international expansion. The carrier has asked the Department of Transportation for permission to fly to any country the U.S. has an Open Skies aviation agreement with. Southwest currently offers flights to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.
Southwest Airlines might have plans to stretch its wings further.
In a filing with the Department of Transportation, the carrier has sought permission to fly to any country the U.S. has an Open Skies aviation agreement with. If approved, that could clear the way for Southwest to fly to Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia and Africa.
Southwest already offers a handful of international flights, servicing Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, but this would mark a potential overhaul of the airline's current service structure.
It wouldn't be the first. Two months ago, Southwest announced it would be making changes to its “bags fly free” policy as part of a wider shakeup. Any bookings made on or after May 28 will bring baggage charges for all but two kinds of passenger—those in the highest loyalty status or those who pay the most expensive tickets.
The airline is also adding a fare on the same level as basic economy at other carriers, which has a number of restrictions and does not allow the passenger to make a seat assignment in advance. Flight credits, which saw expiration dates vanish during the pandemic, will also get a shelf life once again, disappearing if they’re not used. These moves follow last year's, which included getting rid of open seating and expanding legroom in some seats.
In the Tuesday filing to the Transportation Department, Southwest said it “has repeatedly been found fit, willing and able to provide interstate and foreign air transportation.”
