Southwest Airlines flight attendants are ready to fly internationally.
On Thursday, the Transport Workers Union, which represents Southwest flight attendants, said the union has come to a tentative agreement with management to address routes for destinations in Mexico and South America as well as over-water flights to Hawaii and Puerto Rico."Just as our members supported adding 737-800 aircraft ... and the acquisition of AirTran Airways, we look forward to the opportunity for expansion to near international and overwater destinations for our company and our customers," the union said to its members in a message on its website.The TWU said it will put the tentative agreement out for a ratification vote.Southwest spokesman Paul Flaningan said the Dallas-based carrier also reached a similar agreement with its pilots union last week."These are agreements we needed to reach with our pilots and flight attendants before we can even entertain flying internationally," Flaningan said. He said the agreements cover pay and expense rates for international flights.Southwest currently has no international destinations, although its subsidiary AirTran Airways flies to Mexico and parts of the Caribbean.The carrier recently received its first Boeing 737-800, which will receive certification for over-the-water flying. Southwest Chief Executive Gary Kelly has said that the 737-800 could allow flights to Mexico, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii.Southwest's and AirTran's mechanics unions reached a tentative seniority integration agreement this week. The two groups will hold a ratification vote starting May 21 with results expected June 21.Andrea Ahles, 817-390-7631Twitter: @Sky_TalkHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
