Southwest Airlines Seeks Green Light for Global Routes
Southwest Airlines has filed a formal request with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeking blanket approval to operate flights to all nations with which the United States maintains Open Skies agreements. The move signals the low-cost carrier’s potential interest in expanding its international footprint far beyond its current limited service in Mexico and the Caribbean.
While the low-cost carrier did not specify any new destinations or launch timelines, a spokesperson said the move is not necessarily tied to imminent changes but is intended to support Southwest’s current and future international operations. “We’ve been an international carrier for over a decade. This application supports our existing international franchise and leverages the DOT’s streamlined process for obtaining global route authority,” the spokesperson said.
The United States currently has open skies agreements with 138 countries and territories. These agreements typically allow certified U.S. carriers to operate an unlimited number of flights between the U.S. and partner countries, as long as the departure and arrival airports are equipped with appropriate border facilities.
Southwest Airlines still focuses heavily on domestic service, with only 2.2% of its total weekly scheduled capacity dedicated to international flights. Its international network currently includes destinations in ten Central American and Caribbean countries and territories, with more than half of that capacity concentrated on Mexico.
As of May 2025, the United States holds Open Skies agreements with a wide range of countries, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, and several nations in Latin America, Africa, and other parts of the world. Many of these destinations are within the operational range of Southwest’s U.S.-based Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, raising the possibility of future transatlantic or intercontinental services.
Although Southwest has not confirmed plans for any specific new routes, the DOT filing suggests the airline is laying the groundwork for broader international access should it choose to pursue it. The request would provide the legal flexibility needed to launch new services quickly if market conditions and strategic considerations align.
The filing comes amid a broader period of transformation for Southwest Airlines. Over the past year, the airline has introduced cost-cutting initiatives, new ancillary revenue services, and streamlined both commercial and operational functions. These changes were largely prompted by mounting pressure from Elliott Investment Management, a major shareholder that criticized the airline’s performance and prompted a leadership shake-up in 2024.
If approved, the DOT request could position Southwest to explore high-demand international markets that align with its low-cost business model, especially as demand for transatlantic and long-haul leisure travel continues to grow.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com