Southwest Airlines expects to begin long-haul international flying within the next five years.
Speaking on May 28 at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said the carrier isn't planning a broad transoceanic network like those of United, Delta and American.
But, by flying to between eight and 12 long-haul destinations, Southwest could cover the vast majority of places its customers want to go.
"I want to give our customers fewer and fewer and fewer reasons they have to choose United, Delta, American and others because they don't want to," Jordan said. "They love Southwest Airlines; we are the brand that they love. They want to choose us and they simply can't because we don't offer them the thing that they want, like flying long-haul."
He said that Southwest's Baltimore base would be a natural starting point for the airline's transatlantic operation.
Jordan also reiterated earlier remarks that Southwest is thinking about adding first class cabins and airport lounges. He noted that adding long-haul flying would enhance the attractiveness of the Rapid Rewards loyalty program and Southwest cobranded credit cards.
"The loyalty programs and cobrand are a huge part of the financials of an airline and having long-haul aspirational destination kind of routes really, really enhances the cobrand program as well," Jordan said.
Southwest has a fleet of all Boeing 737 aircraft. The 737 Max has the range to travel from Baltimore to the westernmost portions of Europe, including the U.K. and Ireland.
The airline has developed an international partner network of seven carriers since early last year consisting of Icelandair, Eva Air, China Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Philippine Airlines, Condor and Turkish Airlines.