Southwest runs the biggest 737 fleet on earth. But none of them fly to Europe, and that’s no accident.
The airline’s all-737 setup simply isn’t built for transatlantic flying. While the 737 MAX 8 has the range, Southwest would need to certify it for long overwater routes (ETOPS), retrain crews, and rework its operations. And even then, it wouldn’t have business class, hot meals, or long-haul comfort.
There’s no premium cabin, no lie-flat seats, no entertainment built into the seat. Just snacks, WiFi, and decent legroom. That’s fine for a two-hour hop. Less fine when you’re halfway to London.

Instead, Southwest relies on its Icelandair connection. Customers can book through to Europe by connecting in Reykjavik from cities like Denver, Baltimore, and Nashville. It’s a workaround, not a plan.

Meanwhile, rivals like United and Norse Atlantic are expanding across the Atlantic with widebodies, cheap fares, and strong loyalty bases. If Southwest entered now, it would have to undercut everyone just to survive.

Could it happen someday? Maybe. But it would require a new aircraft type, new onboard service, and a whole new strategy.
For now, Southwest is staying home.