Southwest adds 3 routes, but cuts 5 others in winter schedule extension
Southwest Airlines is making even more tweaks to its network as it extends its schedule into 2026.
The Dallas-based airline will add three routes later this year, including two from one of the airline's fastest-growing airports. This includes never-before-operated service from Nashville International Airport (BNA) to Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., and to El Paso International Airport (ELP) in Texas.
Both of these routes will operate during the Thanksgiving holiday period and might be added to future schedules depending on how they perform.
'The Day Southwest Died': Reactions pour in about the carrier's big changes
Southwest will enjoy a monopoly on the new El Paso connection, but United Airlines already operates multiple daily flights between BNA and IAD.
Meanwhile, Southwest will once again add service between Los Angeles and Oklahoma City, a route that hasn't been operated since January 2018, Cirium schedules show. This route will be operated seasonally throughout the winter.
Southwest will also resume a slew of other routes that were operated in recent years, such as San Diego to Omaha, which last flew in May 2020, and Chicago to Tampa, which last flew in June 2024.
But while the airline is certainly adding some noteworthy new flights, perhaps the bigger news is the five markets that Southwest is permanently exiting. You'll find the full list below, but highlights include a noteworthy pullback in two California cities, Burbank and Long Beach.
- Baltimore-Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Burbank-New Orleans
- Burbank-San Antonio
- Long Beach-El Paso
- Long Beach-St. Louis
Furthermore, the suspension of service between Baltimore and Chicago will leave the route exclusively served by American Airlines and United.
All of these routes will be cut in November. Southwest will make 13 other route cuts during the winter (seen in the map below), but these are marked as seasonal and are slated to return soon.
Interestingly, Southwest will also shuffle its nascent red-eye schedule for the winter season. The airline will go from 27 to 23 daily red-eye flights from October to November. San Jose, California, to Baltimore will be the only market to (seasonally) lose service with the red-eye adjustment, while three other markets will be retimed to daylight flying with the same frequencies as originally scheduled.
The affected red-eyes include Sacramento to Baltimore, Los Angeles to Houston and Phoenix to Atlanta.
All told, these changes come as Southwest's network planners have been going through the airline's route map with a fine-tooth comb, trimming service that might not be immediately profitable and shifting to higher-priority markets like Nashville, San Diego and Sacramento.
Southwest isn't just being especially prudent about where it flies; it is also being very intentional about which days it operates each flight. In November, the airline will operate a whopping seven rotating schedules to better match capacity with demand. As such, travelers can expect to see different flight times and operating schedules depending on the day of the week and the time of the month they're flying.
Despite these changes, Southwest's route map will still largely look like it did before Elliott Investment Management, the activist investor group, started putting immense pressure on Southwest to boost profitability.
Nearly everything else about the airline — including the two-bags-fly-free promise, open boarding, lack of extra-legroom seats and refusal to add basic economy — is changing. The jury is still out on whether this will change travelers' flying patterns, but at least Southwest isn't fully upending its network.
Travelers can now book Southwest flights through Jan. 5, 2026.
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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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
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- 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.
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Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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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.