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
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.