Southwest sees viability in long-haul, low-cost model

Southwest Airlines sees a future for the long-haul, low-cost model and can envision someday operating intercontinental routes, Director-Network Strategic Planning Lee Lipton told ATWOnline at the World Route Development Forum in Beijing, while emphasizing that there is "no timetable" for such a move. "Europe and South America are our first choice. . .but currently we are still evaluating our options," Lipton said. Southwest Chairman, President and CEO Gary Kelly said last month that the LCC ...