Multiple travel blogs reported that Southwest is seriously weighing an order for Boeing 787s, a development that matters to travelers because it signals the airline could finally push into long‑haul international markets. As View from the Wing noted, the move has prompted speculation about lie‑flat business class and new Europe routes, while writers like Matthew Klint and Ben Schlappig have framed the question as whether Southwest needs a new fleet type to compete overseas. The headline is simple: if true, this could reshape transatlantic pricing and connectivity in coming years.
The change matters because a 787 fleet would let Southwest offer longer sectors and a premium product, potentially protecting its lucrative credit card business and keeping customers from defecting to legacy carriers. Gary Leff has argued that profitable long‑haul service requires not just aircraft but premium fares, connections, and off‑peak demand — points echoed by Live and Let’s Fly — so the airline’s economics and route choices will determine whether passengers actually benefit. In short, a 787 order is a strategic shift, not just a new paint job.
For anyone making travel plans now, Sparkflights flags current Southwest bargains measured by cost‑per‑mile against historical baselines: PHX–MCO roundtrip from $119 (~$0.06/mi), 38% below baseline; LAX–CUN roundtrip from $199 (~$0.08/mi), 42% below baseline; LAS–SFO roundtrip from $78 (~$0.04/mi), 45% below baseline. These cheap short‑haul and Mexico fares suggest Southwest remains aggressively priced domestically and regionally even as long‑haul plans swirl, and our cpm metrics make it easy to see which tickets are truly outliers.
If you’re watching for transatlantic competition, don’t cancel current bookings but set alerts: a 787 order would likely shift cost‑per‑mile baselines and reward ecosystem value over 6–24 months. For now, lock in cheap Southwest short‑haul and Mexico seats, keep an eye on credit‑card and schedule updates, and expect meaningful shifts if the airline commits to 787s and a premium product.
Sources
- Southwest Airlines Is Leaning Toward Boeing 787s, But Does It Really Need Them? — Matthew Klint
- Southwest Airlines Eyes Boeing 787s For Europe — Lie-Flat Business Class Could Follow — Gary Leff
- Southwest Airlines Is Leaning Toward Boeing 787s, But Does It Really Need Them? — Live and Let’s Fly
- Southwest Airlines Eyes Boeing 787s For Europe — Lie-Flat Business Class Could Follow — View from the Wing
- Southwest Airlines Considers Boeing 787 Order, Plans Long Haul Flights — Ben Schlappig