Southwest Airlines Hints at More International Routes

Southwest Airlines has long positioned itself as more of a budget option for travelers, offering two free checked bags for every passenger, and open seating plan with no premium seats or packages, and limited flight options – especially domestically. However, it looks like Southwest is now trying to compete with other more premium airlines.

Earlier this year, Southwest Airlines announced the controversial decision to end its longstanding "Bags Fly Free" policy as well as its longstanding open-seating policy. Now, customers will have to pay to check their bags and to choose their seats with the airline also retrofitting their planes to include premium seats with extra legroom, which will be sold at a higher cost.

The moves were obviously made to boost the airline's slumping profits, but it looks like the airline is adjusting its broader brand identity, too.

In addition to offering free bags and no premium seating, Southwest Airlines also had a very limited global network with very few international routes compared to the other major airlines in the United States – Delta, United, and American. Now, it sounds like that's going to change.

After already ending free bags and open seating earlier this year, Southwest Airlines made a pretty telling move this week as the airline filed with U.S. regulators asking for a permit to fly more international routes, including Europe, according to Reuters.

Reuters reported this week that Southwest had filed with U.S. Department of Transport seeking permission to transport "persons, property and mail" to all countries with which the United States has open skies agreements, opening up the airline to travel to countries in Europe, Latin America and parts of Asia and Africa.

Currently, Southwest Airlines only flies domestically in the United States and to some nearby destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. However, this move suggests that the airline is looking to expand its global network at some point in the future.

Obviously, this is telling, especially after its other moves, as it makes it pretty clear that Southwest Airlines is no longer attempting to serve as a budget option for price-conscious customers. Instead, the airline seems ready to change its identity to be more in line with Delta, United, and American.

As for what that means for customers, it's increasingly unlikely that the airline will be bringing back free bags and going back to its price-friendly roots anytime soon.