Skip to content
Go to Home Page
News

Southwest unveils 13 more red-eye flights for 2025, plus new service to Cancun

Oct. 31, 2024
•
5 min read
Southwest New Seats Boarding Policy
Southwest unveils 13 more red-eye flights for 2025, plus new service to Cancun
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Southwest Airlines has unveiled more than a dozen new red-eye flights for next summer, further bolstering its first-ever schedule of overnight flying that's set to kick off in the coming months.

It came as the Dallas-based carrier on Wednesday extended its booking schedule through Aug. 4, 2025. The airline's summer plans feature 13 new red-eye routes. That's on top of the 20 TPG reported earlier this fall, which will be the carrier's inaugural venture into the overnight hours.

Four of the routes Southwest unveiled Wednesday are entirely new to the carrier, including a handful of transcontinental flights to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), located some 30 miles north of Washington, D.C.

In fact, BWI was the big winner overall: It landed six new red-eye flights in Wednesday's announcement, solidifying its place — at least for now — as Southwest's primary East Coast landing arrival hub for red-eye flights.

A Southwest Airlines jet at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

On the West Coast, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will get four new red-eye departures.

This latest tranche of red-eye flights comes just over three months after Southwest executives finally detailed plans to follow in the footsteps of its largest competitors by launching overnight flying in early 2025, hoping to boost revenue by getting more use out of its airplanes that previously sat idle during that time.

Southwest’s 13 new red-eye flights

Southwest’s summer batch of red-eyes will all launch June 5.

As mentioned, among those are four are new routes that the carrier does not currently offer:

  • Long Beach Airport (LGB) to BWI
  • Ontario International Airport (ONT) to BWI
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to BWI
  • SFO to Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

The remaining nine new red-eyes launching in June are a combination of resumed seasonal service, the return of a long-absent route or an additional daily flight between the two cities:

  • Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • Lihue Airport (LIH) in Hawaii to Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
  • Portland International Airport (PDX) to BWI — last served in 2019, per aviation analytics firm Cirium
  • San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) to BWI — last served in 2020
  • Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Orlando International Airport (MCO)
  • SEA to BWI
  • SEA to Chicago’s Midway International Airport (MDW)
  • SEA to Houston's William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
  • SEA to BNA

Airports landing the new service were quick to celebrate Wednesday.

"We could not be happier with the new Southwest service to the greater Washington, D.C., area via BWI, which will be our 26th nonstop destination," said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board of Airport Commissioners.

In all, Southwest will fly 33 red-eye flights next summer, all departing from West Coast and Hawaii cities.

Combined with operational improvements to cut down the time it takes for the carrier to turn around a plane for departure after it arrives at the gate, the airline hopes 2025 will boost its financial performance, which has lagged in recent quarters, drawing the ire of Wall Street and fueling a recently resolved showdown with a group of activist investors.

“In addition to reducing turn times, the introduction of red-eye flights is another key component of increasing asset productivity and improving the connectivity and efficiency of the network,” Southwest Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson said, reiterating the company’s plans on the carrier’s Oct. 24 third-quarter earnings call.

Related: Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work

SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

New route to Mexico

On top of new red-eye flights, Southwest also unveiled a new nonstop route to Mexico that will depart next summer.

Starting June 7, the carrier will launch seasonal service to Cancun from Colorado Springs Airport (COS). The route will operate on a limited basis, flying once each week on Saturdays.

However, the service will give Colorado Springs new international service.

Panoramic photo of Cancun's hotel zone from the air
Cancun's Hotel Zone. MARIAKRAY/GETTY IMAGES

The route will also bolster Southwest’s footprint in the popular Mexican beach destination. In 2024, the airline’s total seats flown to Cancun are set to be up 14% over 2023 levels, according to Cirium.

That’s despite the airline pulling back, overall, on its flying — and despite other carriers’ collective seats to the airport dropping by nearly 5% this year.

Related reading:

Featured image by SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

TPG featured card

Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

Apply for American Express® Gold Card
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.