Southwest Airlines has applied to the US Department of Transportation for authorisation to fly to all countries that the USA has an open skies bilateral air services agreement. The application, which seeks the authority for an "indefinite period", also seeks permission to fly to any country with which the USA in future forms an Open-Skies partnership, according to a copy of the application filed 13 May. Southwest notes in its application that it has "repeatedly been found fit, willing, and able to provide interstate and foreign air transportation" and currently holds a "wide range of authorities" from the DOT. It argues that approval is in the public interest because it will "promote competition and increase the traveling public's ability to access Southwest's high-quality, low-fare service". Southwest has an in service and stored fleet of 808 aircraft, split between Boeing 737 Max and 737NG jets. Southwest advised in response to a request for comment on the filing: "No news to share and not necessarily indicative of anything forthcoming. We've been an international carrier for a decade plus and with this filing we're taking advantage of the DOT's streamlined regulatory procedures for international authority." Schedules data shows that Southwest operates 53 international routes, primarily to destinations in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

Boeing has settled a lawsuit brought by the family of John Barnett, who blew the whistle on safety and quality issues at Boeing's Charleston facility. "The court having been advised by counsel for the parties that the above action has been settled, it is ordered that this action is hereby dismissed without costs and without prejudice," states a 12 May filing to the US District Court for the Southern District of South Carolina's Charleston Division by judge Bruce Hendricks. He adds that either party may petition the court to reopen the case if the settlement is not consummated within 60 days. Details about the settlement were not provided. On 19 March, the estate of Barnett, who was found dead on 9 March 2024, filed a civil action against Boeing for "wrongful death and abuse of process". Plaintiffs Vicky Stokes, Rodney Barnett and Michael Barnett accused Boeing management of having "embarked on a concerted campaign of harassment, abuse, and intimidation intended to discourage, discredit, and humiliate [John Barnett] until he would either give up or be discredited". They further alleged that Barnett was "socially isolated and separated from his team, was moved to other areas in the plant, was blocked from transferring to more favourable shifts, and was blacklisted from other Boeing divisions". Boeing says on 13 May: "We are saddened by John Barnett's death and extend our condolences to his family. Boeing took actions several years ago to review and address the issues that Mr. Barnett raised."

An investigation launched by US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick is looking at the impact of current trade policies on US domestic production of commercial aircraft, engines and parts to see whether additional tariffs and quotas are necessary "to protect national security". The probe was launched on 1 May under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 but revealed on 9 May in a filing to the Federal Register by Bureau of Industry and Security deputy assistant secretary for strategic trade Julia Khersonsky. The Commerce Department has invited interested parties to submit comment. It notes it is "particularly interested" in comments and information about "current and projected demand for commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, in the United States". It is also interested in "the extent to which domestic production of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, can meet domestic demand", as well as "the role of foreign supply chains, particularly of major exporters, in meeting US demand for commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines". Furthermore, Commerce is interested in "the concentration of US imports of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, from a small number of suppliers and the associated risks", as well as "the impact of foreign government subsidies and predatory trade practices on the competitiveness of the commercial aircraft and jet engine industry, as well as the associated commercial aircraft and jet engine parts industry, in the United States". It also seeks comment on "the ability of foreign nations to weaponise their control over supplies of commercial aircraft and jet engines". Commerce also wants to know about "the feasibility of increasing domestic capacity for commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, to reduce import reliance".