SWA Request Triggers Re-Opener
08-21-2025 | 06:11 PM
#41
Line Holder
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 74
One reason Southwest could not jump into international flying—especially widebody service—is that its point-to-point model isn’t well suited to filling long-haul aircraft.
But take a look at the changes coming in March 2026: routes like MKE–MDW and TYS–BNA, along with “banked” flight schedules at Southwest’s major stations like BNA, STL, and DEN (well and MDW but you can't go far from MDW).
Draw your own conclusions.
But take a look at the changes coming in March 2026: routes like MKE–MDW and TYS–BNA, along with “banked” flight schedules at Southwest’s major stations like BNA, STL, and DEN (well and MDW but you can't go far from MDW).
Draw your own conclusions.
08-21-2025 | 06:29 PM
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,142
Likes: 4
From: FIRE ALPA
One reason Southwest could not jump into international flying—especially widebody service—is that its point-to-point model isn’t well suited to filling long-haul aircraft.
But take a look at the changes coming in March 2026: routes like MKE–MDW and TYS–BNA, along with “banked” flight schedules at Southwest’s major stations like BNA, STL, and DEN (well and MDW but you can't go far from MDW).
Draw your own conclusions.
But take a look at the changes coming in March 2026: routes like MKE–MDW and TYS–BNA, along with “banked” flight schedules at Southwest’s major stations like BNA, STL, and DEN (well and MDW but you can't go far from MDW).
Draw your own conclusions.
08-21-2025 | 06:32 PM
#43
Line Holder
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 977
Likes: 106
08-21-2025 | 07:46 PM
#44
On Reserve
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 47
Likes: 8
From: along for the ride
For those who are curious of flight length details.
SEA-KEF is the longest MAX flight over the ocean at 3622 miles. Iceland is flying it with 15 less seats but I’m going to guess there is a different configuration for Europe flights anyway for Southwest.
non KEF-BNA/BWI routes
BWI-DUB 3362 miles
BWI-LIS 3546
BWI-STN 3654
BWI-LGW 3652
BWI-Luton 3629
MCO-KEF 3534
MAX 7 I assume would have a bit more range but I’m not sure if the economics on smaller plane for that long a flight make sense.
SEA-KEF is the longest MAX flight over the ocean at 3622 miles. Iceland is flying it with 15 less seats but I’m going to guess there is a different configuration for Europe flights anyway for Southwest.
non KEF-BNA/BWI routes
BWI-DUB 3362 miles
BWI-LIS 3546
BWI-STN 3654
BWI-LGW 3652
BWI-Luton 3629
MCO-KEF 3534
MAX 7 I assume would have a bit more range but I’m not sure if the economics on smaller plane for that long a flight make sense.
08-21-2025 | 07:56 PM
#45
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,590
Likes: 434
I get the sentiment, but giving away "healthy" scope is exactly how we got here. Now we are negotiating to fly what I assume will be the trans border leg of scope that we gave away in exchange for something.
So yeah...I am not talking about flooding the market with 50 seat SkyWest RJs DBA Southwest Express, I am talking about an exchange of what pilots have for something the company has that we want. We sold interline and codeshare. That was scope. Having that as an option is more than likely going to be key to the health of the company (and by extension the pilot group) going forward.
This isn't 2002 any more. Nobody is talking about giving away flying that we already do. Negotiations are centered around flying that we would probably never do and if things go well enough then we will do ourselves.
So yeah...I am not talking about flooding the market with 50 seat SkyWest RJs DBA Southwest Express, I am talking about an exchange of what pilots have for something the company has that we want. We sold interline and codeshare. That was scope. Having that as an option is more than likely going to be key to the health of the company (and by extension the pilot group) going forward.
This isn't 2002 any more. Nobody is talking about giving away flying that we already do. Negotiations are centered around flying that we would probably never do and if things go well enough then we will do ourselves.
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