Southwest Airlines Weighs Boeing 787 Order for International Long-Haul Push

Southwest Airlines is leaning toward the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as its first widebody jet, as the carrier weighs entering the long-haul international market, according to Reuters, citing three people familiar with the carrier's fleet planning.

The move would mark a profound shift for an airline that has operated exclusively as a domestic, short-haul carrier throughout its history. In recent years Southwest has already upended many of its founding principles, introducing assigned seating, extra legroom options, checked baggage fees, and plans for airport lounges.

What the Sources Say About a Possible 787 Order

Reuters reports that the airline is considering a deal for up to dozens of 787s. Southwest is also studying how quickly those aircraft could be obtained, including through lessors or the secondary market, as an alternative to placing a new order directly with Boeing.

The people familiar with the carrier's planning cautioned that no final decision has been made. Southwest's board has the final say and formed a Fleet Oversight Committee in 2025 to manage the company's aircraft fleet acquisition strategy, as One Mile at a Time notes.

The Supply Problem Facing Any 787 Ambition

One significant hurdle is availability. One Mile at a Time points out that the Dreamliner is effectively sold out through the end of the decade on Boeing's current order book. Southwest would either need Boeing to release earlier slots, given the airline's long-standing relationship with the manufacturer, or pursue acquisition through a lessor or the used aircraft market to bring jets into service sooner.

You can explore Boeing's current programme and order position using our Aircraft Search tool.

What Southwest Airlines Has Said About Long-Haul Flying

Southwest executives have not been secretive about their interest in international flying. According to One Mile at a Time, chief executive Bob Jordan has made clear that the goal is not to build a long-haul network comparable to those of American, Delta or United, but rather to serve up to a dozen long-haul destinations. The aim is to give Southwest customers fewer reasons to book with competitors and to strengthen the Rapid Rewards loyalty programme.

The Hubs That Would Likely Drive a Long-Haul Network

Not all of Southwest's major bases are equally suited to international operations. One Mile at a Time observes that Dallas Love Field (DAL) and Chicago Midway (MDW) are not built for long-haul flying, while Baltimore (BWI) is considered a more logical gateway for transatlantic routes to Europe. Denver (DEN) and Las Vegas (LAS) are noted as too far west to generate strong European demand if an airline is serving each market from only one point.

The Competitive Landscape Southwest Would Enter

Long-haul international flying is dominated by joint ventures. American, Delta and United each operate co-ordinated transatlantic arrangements with partner carriers, covering fares and schedules in ways that an independent new entrant cannot easily replicate. One Mile at a Time identifies operating outside those arrangements as one of three broad challenges for any Southwest long-haul strategy, alongside managing seasonal demand and the structural limitations of some of its key hubs.

The Bottom Line

Southwest Airlines is further along in its widebody thinking than many observers may have expected, with sources pointing squarely at the Boeing 787 as the preferred aircraft type. The scale of any deal, the timeline for delivery and whether the airline proceeds at all still depend on board approval. What is clear is that the transformation of Southwest, already well under way with assigned seats and baggage fees, could soon extend to long-haul international flying in a move that would reshape the US airline market.

You can track Southwest Airlines' fleet and network developments using our Airline Search tool.

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