Southwest adds 4 new routes, cuts 2 others in latest network adjustment
Southwest Airlines is making some changes to its route map for travel over the coming months.
The Dallas-based carried filed plans over the weekend to add four new routes and cut two others, as first seen in Cirium Diio schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
Beginning June 4, Southwest will add three flights from one of its newest bases, Nashville International Airport (BNA), as well as launch a new contender for the shortest route in its network. The new flights from BNA include daily service to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Richmond International Airport (RIC) in Virginia and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) in South Carolina.
Of these routes, the one from BNA to GSP last operated in 2014; the others are all new to Southwest's network.
Southwest will also launch a new route from RIC to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) on a twice-daily basis. When it begins, this 121-mile hop will become the second-shortest route in Southwest's continental U.S. network behind Denver to Colorado Springs, which measures 72 miles long, according to Cirium.
While the airline is making some noteworthy additions, it's not all good news for the carrier's network. This summer, it will scrap two routes: Atlanta to Little Rock, Arkansas, and Chicago O'Hare to Tampa.
Southwest explains that these modifications are being done "with a focus on serving the greatest number of nonstop markets, though in some cases we now will offer fewer frequencies in existing nonstop markets." (The Chicago O'Hare-to-Tampa route is currently scheduled to return during the peak winter holiday season.)
The airline is also boosting frequencies on several routes this summer as part of this last-minute adjustment. This includes operating flights from CVG to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Thursdays to Mondays instead of just on the weekend (as originally planned). Southwest will also add an additional frequency between GSP and BWI and move from Saturday-only service to four-times-weekly service between Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in Missouri and Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) in Mexico.
Related: Southwest Airlines, which gave us everything from hot pants to 'Wanna Get Away' fares, turns 50
Southwest doesn't typically tweak its network with such short notice, instead opting for bigger changes communicated as part of regular schedule extensions. The airline told TPG that this "re-optimized schedule" is "based on an updated expectation of new aircraft to be delivered into our fleet. In addition to slight tweaks to current flights within our network, the schedule modifications brought an opportunity to support travel demand with new service."
Like most carriers with Boeing 737 orders, Southwest is facing delivery delays from Boeing for new jet deliveries. This has previously led the carrier to remove some flights from its schedule, such as service from Los Angeles to Maui, Hawaii, but perhaps Southwest was being too conservative with its growth plans given that the airline seemingly anticipates receiving more planes sooner than expected.
The winners, of course, are those who are traveling this summer and can enjoy the airline's new nonstop flights, which are now all available for sale on Southwest.com.
Related reading:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards: Complete guide to earning, redeeming and maximizing points
- 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
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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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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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.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.