Southwest Airlines expands again, adds three more cities to its route map
Southwest Airlines will add three more cities to its map. That will bring the carrier's planned total additions next year to five, growth the comes even as Southwest continues to rack up billion-dollar losses during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Dallas-based carrier plans new flights to Colorado Springs (COS), Colorado; Jackson, Mississippi (JAN); and Savannah, Georgia (SAV), by June 2021, Southwest said on Thursday. Southwest had previously served Jackson, but dropped the city in 2014.
The destinations join Southwest's previously announced new service to Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) that also will begin next year.
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The additions bring the total number of new destinations announced by Southwest to nine since the pandemic first hit the U.S. market in March. While broadening the airline's reach across the U.S., they also come as overall schedules are well below 2019 levels as air travel remains below half of last year.
“I’m happy to play offense," Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said during the airline's third quarter earnings call on Thursday. He added that the carrier aims to come out of the pandemic gaining U.S. marketshare from competitors.
All nine of the airports Southwest is adding were in the airline's long-term plans, said Kelly. For example, it was already planning to add Houston Intercontinental -- an airport it dropped in 2005 -- to its map next year before COVID hit.
Related: Southwest Airlines to add Chicago O’Hare and Houston Bush Intercontinental
In terms of COVID-related service changes, Southwest will resume selling its jets to full capacity on Dec. 1. Since May, the airline has capped the number of seats it sells on its flights in an effort to woo those concerned about social distancing onboard.
In a statement, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said removing seating caps was aligned with "science-based findings" on protecting travelers from the virus onboard aircraft.
Southwest's move leaves just Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways blocking seats on flights in the U.S. American Airlines, United Airlines and others are selling flights to capacity.
Related: Southwest Airlines won’t block middle seats for Christmas flights
Southwest reported a $1.16 billion net loss in the third quarter. During the three-month period, the airline shrank critical cash burn — or how much it loses on a daily basis — to an average of $16 million a day.
The carrier hopes to shrink cash burn to an average of just $12 million a day during the quarter ending in December. Southwest continues to target breaking even on a daily basis, but said to achieve that it would need revenues to roughly double from the $1.79 billion generated in the third quarter.
Related: Southwest backtracks on a full schedule by year-end after second quarter loss
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees