It goes without saying that a lot has changed about Southwest Airlines in recent times. Under financial pressure from activist investors, the airline hasstarted charging for checked bags, hasintroduced basic economy, and hasintroduced assigned and extra legroom seating.
Continue reading: Southwest Airlines Plans Iceland Flights As Of 2026: What’s The Play?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
As a practical matter, with what other European airline would SW likely partner? Separately, in the absence of a lay-flat seat on a 3000-mile route, SW would not be a consideration for some. The business model that worked for so many years is problematic in today's environment.
I don't know if they've got any interest (and historically they've never cared about US partners), but Ryanair would be a logical choice. They have a big operation in DUB
Ryanair has no partners and doesnt sell connections. They trialled it several years ago, and concluded the business wasn't worth it - presumably too much cost from needing to rebook and cover connections. They'd have basically nothing to gain from partnering with Southwest, as their flights generally operate close to full as is
as I have said multiple times, what WN has announced so far is just the first phase in a transformation to a full legacy carrier global model. They (now) and Elliott knows that's where the industry is headed and they have the pockets to make it happen.
Boeing will trip over themselves to put 787s in WN's fleet.
and the bigger implications of all of this is that if WN transforms to a legacy carrier model and flies international, then B6 becomes a viable takeover target and poses far fewer competitive issues than the UA takeover that so many dream about.
and then WN has 2 narrowbody fleet types besides the 737 including a small mainline aircraft that allows them to add service to even more cities.
given that AS is already going down the road of being a global legacy, they and WN will be the two to watch over the next decade; WN not only has deeper pockets but more hubs that can support longhaul service - with a few like MDW not capable of doing so.
Yes but everything you're saying could apply to Southwest 5 years ago too. They trialed partners to international destinations (Volaris) and concluded it wasn't worth it. But then the landscape changed.
And I'm sorry but i find it so obtuse when people say "Ahhhh but their planes are full". That has very little to do with profitability. If you sell seats for $40, you're going to have full flights. But if a Southwest connecting passenger flying BWI-DUB-LPL plays (make it up) $800 and Ryanair gets $200 if that, that's more profit, right?
It’s going to be an interesting few years. With the “impending” collapse of NK, there are some markets where their flights make up half of the DPEW. Other US carriers simply don’t have the capacity to absorb that, WN included. I understand the contractual requirements but a shame that they’ll be using a frame on a route that likely won’t make money when there will (likely soon be) some very underserved routes.
Instead of BWI to Iceland, maybe WN can serve Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver which have much higher demand and can allow the plane to turn more often.
The clientele that flies Southwest are going to be in for a treat because Iceland is beyond expensive.
Alaska buying Hawaiian is pushing international flying and so had JetBlue recently from JFK and BOS to Europe Makes sense for WN to try to capture some of the lucrative summer trans Atlantic money. Will be interested if the assets of NK become available in a liquidatiin sale, if WN bids on it and focuses on that instead. It could pick up FLL as another hub in addition to MCO.
Can you imagine dragging your abused body off a BNA-DUB WN redeye only to connect on Ryan Air for another 2-3 hours?
Cutest posting title lately.... Loved the "PLAY" on words ! ... Hopefully we'll see more in the future for a much needed comical relief ...
It is doubtful that WN would be interested in NK's airplanes alone. WN needs to diversify away from the 737 - it will have to do so eventually - but if they add a fleet through a liquidation, they will pursue the route system w/ it.
B6 and WN will both benefit in Florida if NK fails.
Even if WN had metal to reach the Continent; it would have a difficult time winning over most Europeans. B6 is in a similar situation versus UA, DL, & AA who have nurtured their own identities in Europa over many years.
Also, five American based airlines flying east and close to a dozen Euro based carriers flying west fighting over the same TATL PAX could turn dicey in the slightest recession.
As for Iceland, it's a place you visit one or twice; but not a repeat like Hawaii or Caribbean. Just past Iceland is the Continent which multiple attractions (if you don't mind water pistols while eating al fresco). Why transfer thru Keflavík when one can fly TATL non-stop on the other US carriers.
Not sure where the win would be- they're just as comfortable as the current budget airlines, but notably more expensive. Play at least also has some food options for purchase which is a better fit for red-eye flights to Iceland than "mouth-drying mini bag of pretzels". But even Play couldn't make a profit on that route (nor WOW before it). So not sure why Southwest, which has no base in (very expensive) Iceland thinks it could manage this.
I'd price them same as anybody else for iceland travel, but would definitely not seek them out or prioritize using SWA.