Southwest adds 3 new routes, cuts 5; another 38 resume in summer schedule extension
Southwest Airlines is gearing up for a busy summer season, especially among leisure travelers.
The Dallas-based carrier just extended its schedule for the second time in a week, now giving flyers a complete look at what the airline plans to fly from June 5 through Labor Day (Sept. 5).
If a recent Southwest schedule extension rings a bell, you’re not dreaming — last Thursday, the airline extended its schedule through June 4, and it’s now putting the entire summer on sale, as it tries to cater to those who like to plan far in advance.
Along with the schedule extension comes a slew of network changes, including three new routes and a plethora of returning ones too. The airline will also exit five markets as part of the extension.
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3 new routes brings the total to 6
Southwest is adding three new lines to its route map, all focused on taking summer travelers to popular leisure destinations.
This includes once-weekly service on Saturdays in the following three markets commencing on June 1, 2022.
- Austin (AUS) - Cozumel, Mexico (CZM)
- Nashville (BNA) - Portland, Maine (PWM)
- Denver (DEN) - Eugene, Oregon (EUG)
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The once-weekly service will likely cater to those seeking longer vacations, whether it’s a week on the beach or an extended stay with family.
Of the three new routes, Southwest will only go up against one competitor: United, in the Denver-to-Eugene market. The carrier will have a monopoly on the two other routes, according to Cirium schedules.
While these are the only new routes as part of Southwest’s summer extension, the airline unveiled three more new ones in last week’s schedule update.
That included once-daily service between Austin (AUS) and Tulsa (TUL), four-times-weekly flights between San Antonio (SAT) and Oklahoma City (OKC) and once-weekly flights from Syracuse (SYR) to Tampa (TPA) — all of which commence on April 25.
Of the new flights, perhaps the most interesting is the Austin to Tulsa service, as it’ll go head-to-head against American and Allegiant.
In recent months, American Airlines and Southwest have been fighting for passengers in Austin, which has long been a stronghold for the latter. Citing strong demand and a surge in companies relocating to the Texas capital, American has doubled down on Austin with a slew of new nonstop routes and a snazzy Admirals Club.
It’s clear that Southwest isn’t going to stand on the sidelines while its rival tries to capture its market share.
5 routes are getting axed
Along with the six new routes come five cuts. A Southwest spokesperson confirmed that the airline will pull out of the following routes in early June.
- Dallas/Love Field (DAL) — Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP
- Dallas/Love Field (DAL) — Louisville (SDF)
- Washington/National (DCA) — Jacksonville (JAX)
- Washington/Dulles (IAD) — Orlando (MCO)
- Richmond (RIC) — Tampa (TPA)
It’s most interesting to see three Florida cities lose a route. Throughout the pandemic, traffic to and from the Sunshine State has recovered faster than most other markets, though it’s likely that the airline couldn’t turn a profit on these ones.
38 routes are coming back
Southwest is also gearing up for a busy summer season, as the airline prepares to bring back 38 routes that it had previously suspended.
Seven of the returning routes will be operated year-round, while the remainder will operate seasonally.
You’ll find the full details at the bottom of the story, but highlights include three returning flights from Denver, a city that’s seen more competition than ever thanks to United‘s growth in this mid-continental hub.
Full list of Southwest’s returning routes
Market | Effective date | Frequency |
---|---|---|
DEN-AMA | June 5 | Sundays-Fridays |
DEN-LBB | June 5 | Daily |
DEN-MAF | June 5 | Sundays-Fridays |
HOU-SDF | June 5 | Sundays-Fridays |
MDW-MBJ | June 5 | Daily |
MDW-ROC | June 5 | 2x Sundays-Fridays |
MDW-TUL | June 5 | 2x Sundays-Fridays, 1x Saturdays |
ABQ-SAT | June 11 | Saturdays |
ALB-DEN | June 11 | Saturdays |
AUA-MCO | June 5 | Daily |
AUS-PNS | June 11 | Saturdays |
AUS-PVR | June 11 | Saturdays |
BNA-OKC | June 11 | Saturdays |
BWI-GCM | June 11 | Saturdays |
BZN-DAL | June 11 | Saturdays |
CHS-MCI | June 11 | Saturdays |
CHS-STL | June 11 | Saturdays |
CLE-TPA | June 11 | Saturdays |
CMH-MYR | June 5 | Daily |
CUN-MKE | June 11 | Saturdays |
CVG-PHX | June 11 | Saturdays |
CVG-TPA | June 11 | Saturdays |
CZM-DEN | June 11 | Saturdays |
DAL-RNO | June 11 | Saturdays |
DAL-SEA | June 11 | Saturdays |
DEN-ECP | June 11 | Saturdays |
DEN-PNS | June 11 | Saturdays |
DTW-LAS | June 11 | Saturdays |
FLL-PHL | June 11 | Saturdays |
IND-MYR | June 5 | Daily |
IND-SAN | June 11 | Saturdays |
LAX-MKE | June 11 | Saturdays |
MCI-PDX | June 11 | Saturdays |
MCI-SEA | June 11 | Saturdays |
MDW-PWM | June 5 | Daily |
OMA-TPA | June 11 | Saturdays |
SEA-STL | June 11 | Saturdays |
SJU-STL | June 11 | Saturdays |
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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