Southwest Airlines is reportedly considering an order for dozens of Boeing 787 Dreamliners as it explores launching long-haul international flights. The move would break with the airline’s five-decade strategy of operating an all-Boeing 737 fleet, which has supported its operational efficiency and low-cost structure.
Potential destinations include Europe and Latin America. The discussions are part of a broader evolution of Southwest’s business model, which has recently included introducing assigned seating and making other changes.
Southwest has made no final decision, but the discussions indicate it is seriously evaluating an expanded network that would compete more directly with legacy carriers on international routes. Airbus has also reportedly pitched its A321XLR and A330neo as alternatives.