Southwest adds 6 new routes, cuts 5 others in schedule extension
Southwest Airlines is back with another big network update.
This time, the Dallas-based carrier is debuting six new routes, as well as a handful of new red-eye markets, as part of its latest schedule extension. But it's not all good news, though, as the airline also will drop five routes.
This schedule extension covers next year's spring break travel period (through April 7, 2025), and one of Southwest's goals with this extension is to get travelers to lock in their trips now.
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Southwest's 6 new routes
To that end, the airline is adding six new routes, some of which will immediately appeal to travelers dreaming of spring break vacations.
Beginning March 8, 2025, Southwest will add Saturday-only service from Nashville International Airport (BNA) to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
These represent Southwest's second and third international routes from Nashville. The airline already flies from the city to Cancun, and now the airline wants to capture even more leisure traffic heading south of the border to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.
In addition to the new international routes, Southwest will add daily service from BNA to Indianapolis International Airport (IND) on March 6, 2025.
Southwest is already Nashville's biggest airline, and these three new routes will further the carrier's leading position in the city.
The carrier will also launch flights from Sacramento to Tucson on weekends beginning March 6, 2025.
And rounding out the new routes, the airline will launch two new routes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) on March 6, 2025. The first will operate on weekdays to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), and the second will operate on weekends to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO).
Southwest's 5 permanent route cuts
Southwest's new routes come at the expense of five permanent cuts being filed in conjunction with the schedule extension.
The affected markets are:
- Atlanta — West Palm Beach, Florida (first operated in November 2013)
- Burbank, California — New Orleans (new route that launched in June 2024)
- Burbank — San Antonio (new route that launched in June 2024)
- New York — Tampa (first operated in June 2017)
- Long Beach, California — Kansas City, Missouri (new route that launched in March 2023)
Southwest didn't share more details about these cuts, including when they'd be made. Seemingly, these routes have been poor performers for the carrier as it more closely examines its network in the face of increased investor scrutiny.
Interestingly, three of the cuts are to routes that just launched within the last two years. Southwest usually gives routes a little longer to turn a profit, but the airline seemingly doesn't have any time to waste these days.
Additionally, Southwest will temporarily exit 15 routes on a seasonal basis. All but one of these routes were operated exclusively on Saturdays. (The exception is Fort Lauderdale to Providence.)
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- Austin — Omaha
- Albany, New York — Sarasota, Florida
- Baltimore — Oakland, California
- Boston — Orlando
- Fort Lauderdale — Islip, New York
- Fort Lauderdale — Phoenix
- Fort Lauderdale — Providence
- Houston — Fort Myers, Florida
- Little Rock, Arkansas — Phoenix
- Minneapolis-St. Paul — Tampa
- Oakland — St. Louis
- Omaha — Tampa
- Orlando — Portland, Maine
- Rochester, New York — Fort Myers
- West Palm Beach — Providence
Southwest's new red-eye, sports flights
Other highlights from Southwest's schedule extension include the addition of more red-eye flights. Earlier this summer, the carrier unveiled plans to launch its first-ever overnight services landing on Valentine's Day (quite fitting for the carrier with LUV as its stock ticker).
Now, the airline is back with more red-eye markets — Denver, San Diego and Sacramento — that will also launch March 6, 2025. These three stations join previously announced overnight flights from Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Phoenix.
Southwest's new red-eye routes include:
- Denver — Baltimore
- Las Vegas — Atlanta
- Las Vegas — Chicago (Midway International Airport)
- Las Vegas — Nashville
- Los Angeles — Chicago (Midway International Airport)
- Los Angeles — Houston
- Phoenix — Atlanta
- Phoenix — Orlando
- San Diego — Baltimore
- Sacramento — Baltimore
Furthermore, in June, Southwest announced that it would add 42 new one-off flights for the upcoming NFL season, bringing fans to their favorite matchups with nonstop flights.
In response to increased demand from professional and college football fans, Southwest has decided to add more of these unique flights to its schedule in November and December between the following markets:
- Tampa and Austin
- Dallas and Lubbock, Texas
- Omaha and Los Angeles
- Columbus, Ohio, and Chicago (Midway International Airport)
- Cleveland and New Orleans
In other sports news, Southwest will also launch seven special flights for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas from Dec. 5 to Dec. 15.
Bottom line
All of these network changes come as Southwest has been under increased scrutiny from investors for its poor financial performance recently.
To get back into the green, the airline has announced several major initiatives over the past few weeks, including the elimination of open seating, the introduction of premium extra-legroom seats and the start of overnight flights.
In terms of network, Southwest is trying to grow in markets with lots of opportunity and exiting others that aren't working or are oversaturated with competition.
Related reading:
- Your complete guide to maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards
- The best Southwest Airlines credit cards
- How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass
- Southwest A-List status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
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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.