Southwest Airlines is potentially gearing up for a major expansion of its international presence. The budget carrier has formally requested approval from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate flights to all nations covered by Open Skies agreements with the US. While Southwest primarily focuses on domestic routes, the airline does have limited service to select destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. This recent filing indicates that Southwest Airlines may be considering venturing into new international markets. As of May 2025, the US holds Open Skies pacts with regions such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, and various countries in Europe, Latin America, and Africa that fall within the reach of Southwest Airlines’ US-based Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Despite these developments, Southwest Airlines has chosen not to confirm any concrete plans for launching specific international routes in the immediate future. The airline is presently in a phase of transformation marked by cost-saving initiatives, the introduction of fresh ancillary services, and the optimization of operational and commercial processes. These changes were implemented following critiques of the airline's performance by Elliott Investment Management, one of its primary shareholders. In 2024, this activist investment group catalyzed a reorganization of Southwest Airlines' leadership team. For more aviation news and updates, visit Pilotcenter.net News.