Southwest Airlines’ major changes: The company’s faithful customers will be thrilled with the news

Travelers in the United States might be about to get another option for worldwide flights as Southwest Airlines looks to expand its offering.

On Tuesday Southwest filed paperwork the air travel regulators in the US, requesting a permit to increase the number of international routes. Currently Southwest only flies within the US and select destinations in Mexico and Central America.

That could all be about to change though with a request to be able to transport “persons, property and mail” to all nations that the US has travel agreements with. Reuters reports that this list includes “countries across Europe, Latin America and parts of Asia and Africa.”

But the changes are unlikely to come soon. Southwest Airlines has been on a cost-cutting spree and is in the process of streamlining the entire structure. In February the company was forced to cut around 15% of its corporate workforce, including 11 senior leadership positions. The layoffs will save $210 this year, and a further $300 in 2026.

The move to expand into new regions began earlier this year when Southwest announced a new commercial agreement with Icelandair. The deal will allow Southwest fliers to go direct to Reykjavik, Iceland before transferring to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, Paris, Prague and other destinations across Europe.

Currently the Icelandic flights depart form Baltimore but they are looking to introduce similar programs at Denver International Airport and Nashville International Airport.

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