The past few weeks have been rather busy in terms of international expansion talk amongst U.S air carriers. Alaska Airlines first made waves by announcing service to Rome starting in 2026. Now two more airlines have joined the trend. Southwest and Breeze are looking to make their own news related to their international offerings.
In this article, we’ll break down what’s going on and why these developments matter.
Southwest Airlines: Preparing for a Bold Leap
We already reported on Southwest’s recent filing for international operations in Open Skies countries. While executives downplayed the move, we speculated that international service was on the horizon for Southwest.
But an article from View From The Wing suggests that Southwest is now definitely looking to launch flights to Iceland soon.
Our opinion is that Iceland is a great starting point for them. Here’s why:
- Location Well Within Range from Baltimore: Iceland is roughly halfway between continental North America and Europe. This means it can be easily reached by Southwest’s Boeing 737 fleet.
- Limited U.S Competition: Delta and United have seasonal flights to Iceland. None offer them from Baltimore. That gives Southwest an edge in the Mid Atlantic market.
- The Demand is There: Southwest has a codeshare agreement with Icelandair from Baltimore. They know that customers are willing to use Southwest to connect to Iceland via Icelandair. Why not handle the entire route?
If Iceland is in the cards for Southwest, it’ll mark a complete shift for Southwest customers. There have been many changes in the last few months. This one will be a big one as well.
Breeze Airways: Growing With Intention.
Meanwhile, Breeze Airways has also filed for an international operations permit with the Department of Transportation. According to Air Data News, Breeze is looking to start service to Latin America and the Caribbean initially.
This is a great move for Breeze for several reasons:
- Calculated Growth: Breeze isn’t overreaching. Instead of wanting to go to Europe immediately, they are focusing their efforts on nearby international markets. Markets where the demand is strong and well within the range of the Airbus A220.
- Middle-Market Positioning: Breeze continues to carve out a niche between ultra-low-cost carriers and full-service airlines. As Southwest moves upmarket, Breeze may be well-positioned to fill the gap they leave behind.
- Middle-Market Positioning: Breeze is inserting themselves in the gap between ultra low cost airlines and full service airlines. Southwest is moving upmarket, Breeze is seizing the opportunity to fill in that space.
- Competitor Awareness: Breeze’s primary rival, Avelo, is also expanding its international footprint in 2024–2025. Breeze’s timing signals they’re not looking to be left behind.
- Awareness: Avelo has expanded their international offerings in late 2024, early 2025. Breeze is remaining competitive by starting their own international offerings.
What’s Next for Breeze?
Once they begin service to the Caribbean and Latin America, a next step could be South America. While they are definitely limited by the range of the Airbus A220, there are underserved markets in the northern region of that continent.
Another take would be that Azul Airlines, sister company of Breeze, is dealing with financial issues. Could this be the calling that Breeze needs to explore South America? While this is completely unlikely to happen, it’s definitely something to keep your eye on.
Final Thoughts
Southwest and Breeze have both entered their names in a changing domestic airline market. They are taking opportunities beyond their comfort zones. Southwest is going through a major shift in operations. Breeze is going through calculated growth.
But the real winners are the travelers. More options, new routes, and better service to underserved markets.
