Southwest Airlines is leaning toward selecting the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as its first widebody aircraft, positioning itself to launch long-haul international service to as many as 12 new destinations, according to three people familiar with the matter cited by Reuters and reported by Travelers Today. If approved by the board, the move would end 55 unbroken years as an all-737 airline and place the carrier in direct competition with Delta, United, and American on international premium routes for the first time. No final decision has been made — Southwest declined to comment, board approval is required before any order is placed, and sources put the realistic window from decision to first 787 service at roughly three years. Aviation news.eu separately reports the airline is evaluating a substantial order for dozens of Dreamliners, targeting a launch within the next three years.

Travelers Today describes the decision as potentially a 'seismic shift' for U.S. domestic aviation, because the single aircraft type was the operational foundation of Southwest's entire low-cost business model: one set of maintenance procedures, one parts pool, and a single pilot type rating across roughly 803 737s, meaning every Southwest pilot can fly every Southwest plane. A 787 changes everything — pilots need a separate FAA type rating, the airline would need dedicated widebody maintenance bases, new cabin-crew training, and a distinct ETOPS authorization from the FAA for overwater flying. Aviation news.eu adds that transitioning to long-haul operations requires new maintenance infrastructure and a redesigned passenger experience for multi-hour international journeys.

The path is not simple. Aviation news.eu reports Southwest is investigating alternative leasing options to meet its three-year timeline, and that Airbus pitched the A321XLR and A330-900 to the airline, but industry sources indicate Southwest leans heavily toward maintaining its Boeing loyalty. Travelers Today also cites the Airbus A330neo as an alternative still under consideration, underscoring that the process remains competitive and open. The 787-9, which United, American, and Delta already operate, can carry 250 to 325 passengers up to 8,300 nautical miles — enough to reach Tokyo, London, and Sydney nonstop.

Travelers Today frames the move as a bet against a history of failed low-cost long-haul ventures: Norwegian Air Shuttle abandoned all long-haul operations by 2021 after launching transatlantic budget flying in 2013, and Iceland's WOW Air ceased operations in March 2019, with thin margins and high lease costs cited as consistent failure modes. Southwest differs in that it is financially stable, has already added assigned seating, premium legroom, and upcoming lounges in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville, and has built domestic feed traffic plus an expanding Icelandair interline partnership. Aviation news.eu observes the expansion could redefine the competitive landscape, challenging legacy carriers on high-demand global routes. Travelers Today says a board vote authorizing the 787 acquisition is the first milestone to watch, with route announcements likely 12 to 18 months before any inaugural service — placing the earliest plausible 787 service in 2029 or 2030.