Southwest could add widebody aircraft for long-haul international service, Reuters reported on Thursday.
Citing three sources, Reuters said Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner leads the discussions. Southwest has considered dozens of Dreamliners and a roughly three-year launch window, potentially using leased or second-hand aircraft. No aircraft decision has been made, though.
“We do not have any news forthcoming related to our fleet plans,” Southwest told Reuters.
Adding Dreamliners would move Southwest beyond its current all-Boeing 737 fleet. Its fleet modernization strategy has centered on newer versions of the narrowbody. The airline outlined a goal in 2024 to become an all-737 MAX operator by the end of 2031, retiring its older 737-700s and 737-800s.
Southwest has already expanded its international reach through partnerships. Its first agreement, with Icelandair, began connecting passengers through Baltimore in February 2025 before expanding to Denver and Nashville, Tennessee.
The arrangement allows travelers to combine Southwest and Icelandair flights on one itinerary and check bags through to their final destination. The carrier has also partnered with other international airlines, including China Airlines, EVA Air, and Turkish Airlines.
