Southwest adds 7 new routes, phases out 4 others in latest network shake-up
Southwest Airlines is making another round of changes to its route map.
This one includes seven new routes, though they come at the expense of four that are either being cut or significantly scaled back in the coming months. This network shake-up was first seen in Cirium Diio schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
Southwest is making a big play in Las Vegas with the addition of three new routes from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).
From LAS, the airline will add service to Albany and Rochester in New York and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Albany flight begins Aug. 5, while the other two routes commence Oct. 3.
In addition to the new Vegas routes, Southwest will add service in the following four markets.
- Nashville to Birmingham, Alabama, starts Nov. 3.
- Miami to Islip, New York, starts Nov. 3.
- Kansas City, Missouri, to Sacramento, starts Oct. 3.
- Phoenix to Birmingham, Alabama, starts Nov. 3.
However, it's not all good news for Southwest's network. For one, the airline is canceling service between Fort Lauderdale and Islip (and moving this route to Miami).
The airline will also phase out three other routes earlier than planned. Flights from Kansas City to Minneapolis will stop after the Sunday following Thanksgiving.
Meanwhile, starting in August, service from Denver to Eugene, Oregon, and Santa Barbara, California, will only be operated on certain weekends through the end of the year. (These flights were originally scheduled to be operated at least once a day into 2025.)
And then, once the calendar turns to 2025, Southwest will scrap these Denver routes entirely.
Interestingly, six of the seven new routes are currently uncontested, Cirium schedules show. Southwest's only competitor will be ultra-low-cost carrier Allegiant Air on the Las Vegas-to-Grand Rapids flight.
Without competition, the airline likely thinks it can convince flyers to take its new nonstop flights (or connect onward to other destinations via its bases). But whether these new services will fill up is another question.
There were, on average, 65 passengers a day flying from Vegas to Albany or from Vegas to Rochester in 2023, according to Department of Transportation data. The route between Kansas City and Sacramento seems to have had the highest historical demand, with around 95 passengers per day flying between these cities in 2023. (The Nashville-to-Birmingham route had just about two passengers a day.)
Southwest operates just one type of jet — the Boeing 737 — of which the smallest variant holds 143 travelers. The airline likely has targets in mind for these flights, but it remains to be seen how they will perform.
For its part, Southwest said that "this is a continued focus: optimizing the usage of our People and planes to serve our Customers with relevant air service."
This latest move is a bit unusual for Southwest's network planning team. Historically, the airline has made big route updates in tandem with schedule extensions. However, given that the company hasn't been performing as well as it had before the pandemic and the ongoing delivery delays from Boeing, the airline is probably seeing more of a need to make quick pivots.
Commenting on Southwest's lackluster first-quarter performance, CEO Bob Jordan said succinctly that "network and capacity changes will continue."
Just last month, Southwest announced that it would drop four cities from its network, a rare move that the airline has historically tried to avoid. The carrier also added four new routes but cut two others in April.
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
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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
- 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.