Quick note before reading
Some things I’ll be saying here aren’t correct to what exists in real life. This is merely a what if/fantacy topic 
In the beginning of 2025, Southwest received their one and only 737 Max 8LR. This Special Max 8 has the capability to fly up to 15 hours non-stop, thanks to the aircraft being several thousand pounds lighter and using the most fuel-efficient engines in its class, the CFM LEAP-1B Limitless.
On March 4th, 2025, Southwest decided to push this aircraft to its limits by taking this aircraft as far southwest as it could go (pun intended). They determined Los Angeles to Sydney would be the perfect route for this test. Only a selected few were chosen to ride on this ultra long haul flight. I was one of those lucky passengers.
Early in the morning, right before Sunrise, I arrived at my gate. Rather than getting on the aircraft at Terminal 1, Southwest decided to park at gate 210A at the Tom Bradley Intl. Terminal due to this flight being international.
Before long, we were let on to the aircraft. Unlike the standard seating on Southwest Max 8s, this one was set up with 20 ultra luxury seats that offer the best comfort for ultra long haul flights. Southwest had also prepared an entire day’s worth of meals for this flight. This was truly the Ultimate Southwest Flight.
Not too long after we boarded, we had departed our gate and headed for 24L. As we passed terminal 1, several dozen Southwest employees were out on the ramp celebrating as we passed by.
Something that surprised me during takeoff was just how powerful and quick this 737 was. Along with the engines being more fuel-efficient, they were also more powerful. We were airborne before even reaching the middle of the runway.
We quickly passed through the clouds and got to our cruising altitude of 36,000 feet.
A little over 3 hours into the flight, an F-22 from Hawaii had intercepted us. Our pilot got on the intercom and told us that the F-22 was practicing target practice with our aircraft just for fun.
Another fighter jet was also with the F-22 and managed to capture this amazing picture of us.
Around the time we were 3 hours out from Australia, the flight crew decided that a diversion wasn’t likely and that there would be enough fuel upon arrival into Sydney. If you’re wondering where that diversion was, it was the beautiful island of Fiji. In fact, we flew right over the island.
Not too long after crossing over Fiji, Australia started to come into view. On our descent into Sydney, another F-22 came out of nowhere at Mach 2. I somehow managed to capture it before it disappeared. Our pilot later told us that the F-22 had gone into low orbit after it passed us.
After 14 hours and 15 minutes of flying, we landed in Sydney. It was a nice clear day, but due to extreme jetlag, we were all ready to call it a day. Before I went to find the nearest bed, I got one last picture of what would be considered a very unusual sight, a Southwest plane in Sydney.
Another picture was later shared with us of our aircraft exiting the runway in front of the tower.
And just like that, Southwest had made history by visiting Australia for the first time after traveling southwest for over 14 hours. Many people thought a flight like this could never happen, but Southwest proved that anything is possible with the right kind of aircraft.
Hope you all enjoyed this Screenshots and Videos topic!
And I was definitely raking you. No way your plane should have made it 
