SOUTHWEST AIRLINES EXTENDS SCHEDULE THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2025

Rhea-AI Summary

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) has extended its flight schedule through November 1, 2025, announcing several new routes and service expansions. The airline will enhance operations at San Diego International Airport with the opening of a new terminal, launching daily nonstop flights to Fresno and increasing service to Tampa starting October 2, 2025.

In Austin, Southwest will reach a record-high operation of up to 128 daily flights during peak travel days in October 2025, including new nonstop service to Jacksonville. The airline is also introducing several new routes starting March 6, 2025, connecting cities like Austin-Milwaukee, Nashville-Indianapolis, and Sacramento-Tucson.

For Spring Break 2025, Southwest is expanding its international presence with new Saturday nonstop flights from Nashville to Punta Cana and Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, as well as service between Sacramento and Puerto Vallarta starting March 8.

Positive

• Record expansion in Austin with 128 daily flights during peak travel days
• New terminal opening in San Diego enabling route expansion
• Addition of multiple new domestic and international routes
• Strategic expansion of spring break destinations with international routes

Negative

• None.

Insights

Aviation Industry Analyst

Southwest's latest schedule extension reveals a sophisticated network optimization strategy focused on three key pillars: infrastructure utilization, market share expansion and seasonal demand capture.

The strategic focus on San Diego capitalizes on the new terminal infrastructure, enabling Southwest to maximize gate efficiency and expand its West Coast presence. The Fresno-San Diego route targets an underserved California market, while increased Tampa frequency suggests strong demand data for cross-country leisure travel.

The Austin expansion to 128 daily flights represents a calculated move to dominate this rapidly growing tech hub. Austin's emergence as a major business center, driven by corporate relocations and tech sector growth, positions Southwest to capture increased business travel demand. The new Jacksonville route specifically targets business travelers, operating Sunday-Friday.

The international expansion through Nashville demonstrates Southwest's evolving strategy to capture leisure market share from legacy carriers:

• Adding Punta Cana and Los Cabos routes from Nashville creates a new international hub in the Southeast
• Sacramento-Puerto Vallarta service strengthens West Coast international presence
• Timing these launches for Spring Break maximizes seasonal revenue potential

The network additions reflect careful capacity deployment, with frequency adjustments (daily vs. weekend-only) based on projected demand patterns. This granular approach to schedule optimization suggests sophisticated revenue management and yield optimization strategies at work.

From a competitive standpoint, these moves strengthen Southwest's position in key battleground markets while maintaining its core strategy of point-to-point service. The focus on secondary international destinations from mid-sized cities helps avoid direct competition with legacy carriers' hub-and-spoke operations.

DALLAS, Feb. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced it has extended its flight schedule through Nov. 1, 2025. The airline continues bringing new and more nonstop flights for travelers as it grows in key cities across the country and beyond. Flights are now available for booking at Southwest.com.

Growing San Diego
With the anticipated opening of a new terminal at the San Diego International Airport, Southwest Airlines^® will see several seasonal routes return to the schedule beginning Oct. 2, 2025. The carrier will also begin daily nonstop flights the same day between San Diego and Fresno, Calif., and increase service between San Diego and Tampa, Fla., to Thursdays through Mondays from once a week on Saturdays.

Hitting a High Note
During October 2025, Southwest^® is bringing more service than ever before to Austin by operating up to 128 flights daily during peak travel days. With the record-high number of departures, Customers can now book nonstop service between Austin, Texas, and Jacksonville, Fla., (Sunday-Friday) beginning Oct. 2, 2025.

Spring Forward with More Flights
Southwest is preparing to welcome several previously announced new flights to its route map starting next month.  Beginning March 6, 2025, the airline will begin new nonstop service between the following cities:

Austin, Texas, and Milwaukee (Weekdays)
Austin, Texas, and Reno, Nev.* (Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays; daily service beginning June 5)
Nashville, Tenn., and Indianapolis (Daily)
Sacramento, Calif., and Tucson, Ariz.* (Weekends)

New Spring Break Options
Customers looking for an international getaway for Spring Break can enjoy new nonstop flights on Saturdays between Nashville and both Punta Cana* and Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos* when service begins on March 8, 2025. The new routes complement existing international service between Nashville and Cancun.

Also beginning March 8, 2025, Southwest will begin nonstop service on Saturdays between Sacramento and Puerto Vallarta*. This new route joins existing nonstop service between Sacramento and Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos.

These flights, as well as the carrier's full schedule, are available for booking at Southwest.com.

*Seasonal Service

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline¹. By empowering its more than 72,000² People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 140 million Customers carried in 2024. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

1. Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey since Q1 2021
2. Fulltime-equivalent active Employees

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southwest-airlines-extends-schedule-through-november-1-2025-302370355.html

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

FAQ

What new routes is Southwest Airlines (LUV) adding in March 2025?

Starting March 6, 2025, Southwest is adding nonstop service between Austin-Milwaukee, Austin-Reno, Nashville-Indianapolis, and Sacramento-Tucson. Additionally, on March 8, they're launching international routes from Nashville to Punta Cana and Cabo San Lucas, plus Sacramento to Puerto Vallarta.

How many daily flights will Southwest (LUV) operate from Austin in October 2025?

Southwest Airlines will operate up to 128 flights daily during peak travel days from Austin in October 2025, marking their highest service level ever in this market.

What changes is Southwest Airlines (LUV) making to San Diego routes in October 2025?

Starting October 2, 2025, Southwest will launch daily nonstop flights between San Diego and Fresno, and increase service between San Diego and Tampa to Thursday through Monday from weekly Saturday service.

What new international destinations is Southwest (LUV) adding for Spring Break 2025?

For Spring Break 2025, Southwest is adding Saturday nonstop flights from Nashville to both Punta Cana and Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, and from Sacramento to Puerto Vallarta, starting March 8, 2025.