2023-02-09 08:00:00
Angle down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down. Southwest Airlines announced a total of 29 new and returning routes in its latest network expansion. George Rose/Getty Images
- Southwest Airlines announced five new and 24 returning routes in its latest network expansion.
- The routes are a mix of year-round and seasonal, with a majority starting in September.
- Long Beach, California, will see three new routes thanks to freed-up airport slots.
Southwest Airlines is launching a slew of new and returning routes as demand continues to strengthen as the industry continues to recover from the pandemic.
On Thursday, the Dallas-based carrier announced Long Beach Airport in California would be getting three new daily routes to destinations across the US, including Colorado Springs, Colorado; El Paso, Texas; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
These are in addition to the previously announced new nonstops to Kansas City and Orlando from Long Beach, starting in March and July, respectively.
The expansion is thanks to the additional airport slots being awarded to Southwest, the carrier said in a press release. According to the City of Long Beach, the airport is “one of the strictest noise-controlled airports in the nation,” meaning only a certain number of planes can take off and land each day.
Fortunately for Southwest, the city’s annual noise review freed up five more slots this year. Once the new routes commence, the carrier’s total operation at Long Beach will be 45 departures per day to 22 cities, continuing Southwest’s reign as the biggest operator in the city.
On top of the three new year-round options, the carrier is also expanding its seasonal offerings with two new Saturday-only routes between both Austin and Jacksonville as well as El Paso and Orlando, both starting in September.
Meanwhile, Southwest is fulfilling its promise to resume several routes dropped during the pandemic. A total of 16 will be available once more starting in September:
- Austin to Pittsburgh: Sundays starting on September 10.
- Nashville to Islip, New York: Sundays starting on September 10.
- Nashville to Omaha, Nebraska: Sundays starting on September 10.
- Baltimore to Oakland, California: Daily starting on September 5.
- Charlotte to Houston Hobby: Sundays starting on September 10
- Dallas Love Field to Philadelphia: Saturdays and Sundays starting on September 9.
- Denver to Richmond, Virginia: Daily starting on September 5.
- Houston Hobby to Lubbock, Texas: Sundays starting on September 10.
- Houston Hobby to Ontario, California: Sundays starting on September 10.
- Houston Hobby to Philadelphia: Sundays starting on September 10.
- Houston Hobby to Raleigh, North Carolina: Monday, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays starting on September 7.
- Houston Intercontinental to Phoenix: Sundays starting on September 10.
- Las Vegas to Little Rock, Arkansas: Daily starting on September 5.
- Las Vegas to Minneapolis: Saturdays starting on September 9.
- Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon: Saturdays and Sundays starting on September 9.
- Long Beach to New Orleans: Sundays starting on September 10.
Another eight seasonal routes, flying Saturdays and Sundays, will also resume in September, including city pairs like Boise to Chicago Midway, Charlotte to Denver, and Buffalo to Sarasota:
The new and returning routes are now available on Southwest’s website and can be booked through October 4, according to the carrier.
Here’s a closer look at the five all-new routes that Southwest will launch this year.
Between Long Beach and Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, Colorado. Getty Images
Southwest will launch daily flights between Long Beach and Colorado Springs on July 11. The airline will not face any competition.
Between Long Beach and El Paso
El Paso, Texas Denis Tangney Jr./Getty Images
Southwest will launch daily flights between Long Beach and El Paso on July 11. The airline will not face any direct competition, though American Airlines flies nonstop to the Texas city from nearby Los Angeles International Airport.
Between Long Beach and Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico Davel5957/Getty Images
Southwest will launch daily flights between Long Beach and Albuquerque on September 5. The airline will not face any direct competition, though both Delta Air Lines and American operate to Albuquerque from Los Angeles.
Between Austin and Jacksonville
benedek/Getty Images
Southwest will launch Saturday-only seasonal flights between Austin and Jacksonville on September 9. The airline will compete with American on the route.
Between El Paso and Orlando
Orlando city skyline towards Lake Eola. Shutterstock/Sean Pavone
Southwest will launch Saturday-only seasonal flights between El Paso and Orlando on September 9. The airline will not face any competition.
1711098729
#Southwest #Launching #Returning #Routes