Southwest just announced 19 new leisure routes across the US and Mexico and a new destination - here's the full list
- Southwest Airlines is launching 19 more new domestic and international routes in 2021 from cities across the US.
- The initial flight schedule was also announced for Southwest's recently announced new airports in Sarasota, Florida and Houston.
- Jackson, Mississippi will soon be Southwest's newest destination with flights starting in June.
Southwest Airlines is continuing to chart new routes for 2021 as the impending authorizations of multiple COVID-19 vaccines are poised to jumpstart the travel industry's rebound in the new year.
Cities across the US are getting new routes with Southwest launching an additional 19 beginning in March 2021. Jackson, Mississippi is the airline's latest destination with cities in Florida, Arizona, California also getting new international and domestic routes.
A start date for operations at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental has also been scheduled for April 12, 2021, at which point Southwest will fly to both of Houston's airports. The pandemic has forced Southwest into larger airports including Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and Miami International Airport to attract more customers.
Southwest plans to start flying the Boeing 737 Max later in 2021 than most US airlines, with CEO Gary Kelly saying that the aircraft won't fly for the airline until at least the second quarter. With a current fleet of 34 jets, the airline has the most Max jets of any US airline and is reportedly in talks with Boeing to acquire up to 30 additional aircraft.
The expansion comes, however, as Southwest plans to furlough thousands of employees in what would be the first furlough in company history. Workgroups from pilots all the way down to ramp workers would be affected with the airline trying to get employees to take a temporary pay cut to avoid the action.
Read more: Leaked announcement: Southwest plans to furlough workers for the first time in its 53-year history
Here's where Southwest Airlines is expanding in 2021.
Between Houston and Chicago
Southwest will begin flying between Houston and Chicago on April 12, 2021, with up to twice-daily service. A morning flight and an afternoon flight will be offered in each direction.
Chicago's Midway International Airport will be used for the service, offering a convenient alternative to O'Hare International Airport, where Southwest is also planning to start service in 2021. No other airlines will compete with Southwest on the route, though United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and American Airlines fly between Houston and Chicago via O'Hare International.
Between Houston and Dallas
Southwest will begin flying between Houston and Dallas on April 12, 2021, with daily service. Up to six flights per day will be flown on the short hop between the two Texan cities throughout the day.
No other airlines currently operate this route though both American Airlines and United Airlines fly between Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and JSX flies between Houston's Hobby Airport and Love Field.
Between Houston and Denver
Southwest will begin flying between Houston and Denver on April 12, 2021, with up to three-times-daily service. A morning, afternoon, and evening flight will be offered in each direction.
United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Frontier Airlines will all compete with Southwest on this route. Passengers can, however, connect to Southwest's new routes to the Colorado ski slopes with service to cities like Montrose and Hayden.
Between Houston and Nashville
Southwest will begin flying between Houston and Nashville on April 12, 2021 with up to three-time-daily service. A morning, afternoon, and late afternoon flight will be offered in the eastbound direction while a morning, afternoon, and evening flight will be offered westbound.
United Airlines and Frontier Airlines will be direct competitors on the route, though Southwest has a growing base in Nashville to facilitate onward connections across the Southeast up and down the East Coast. Business Insider visited Nashville on a recent Southwest flight in June.
Between Houston and New Orleans
Southwest will begin flying between Houston and New Orleans on April 12, 2021, with up to four-time-daily service. Two morning, one afternoon, and one evening flight will be offered in each direction.
United Airlines and Spirit Airlines will both compete with Southwest on the route.
Between Jackson, Mississippi and Atlanta
Southwest will begin flying between Jackson and Atlanta on June 6, 2021, with up to three-times-daily service. A morning, afternoon, and evening flight will be offered in each direction.
Delta Air Lines will be Southwest's sole competitor on the route with both airlines offering connecting options through Atlanta. Southwest will have the size advantage, however, using mainline Boeing 737 jets over Delta's regional jets.
Between Jackson, Mississippi and Baltimore
Southwest will begin flying between Jackson and Baltimore on June 6, 2021, with once-daily service. A morning flight will be offered from Baltimore with an afternoon return flight from Jackson.
No other airline currently operates this route, leaving Southwest as the sole operator.
Between Jackson, Mississippi and Houston
Southwest will begin flying between Jackson and Houston on June 6, 2021, with up to three-times-daily service. A morning, afternoon, and evening flight will be offered in each direction.
Houston's smaller Hobby Airport will be used for the service instead of George Bush Intercontinental. No other airlines directly compete on the route but United Airlines does offer regional jet service from George Bush Intercontinental.
Between Long Beach, California and Chicago
Southwest will begin flying between Long Beach, California and Chicago on March 11, 2021, with once-daily service that increases to up to twice-daily service on April 11, 2021. A morning flight to Long Beach and an afternoon return to Chicago will be offered initially followed by an extra evening flight to Long Beach and two morning flights to Chicago replacing the afternoon service come April 11.
Chicago's Midway International Airport will be used on this route instead of O'Hare International. No other carriers currently operate on the route leaving Southwest as the sole operator.
Between Long Beach, California and Houston
Southwest will begin flying between Long Beach and Houston on March 11, 2021, with once-daily service that increases to up to twice-daily service on April 11, 2021. The service will start off with one afternoon flight in each direction but come April 11, a morning and afternoon flight will serve both directions.
Houston's Hobby Airport will be used on this route instead of George Bush Intercontinental. No other airlines currently serve the route leaving Southwest as the only operator.
Between Long Beach, California and Reno, Nevada
Southwest will begin flying between Long Beach and Reno, Nevada on March 11, 2021, with once-daily service. A morning flight will be offered in both directions, offering Southern Californians another link to Lake Tahoe.
No other airlines currently serve the route leaving Southwest as the only operator.
Between Long Beach, California and St. Louis
Southwest will begin flying between Long Beach and St. Louis on March 11, 2021, with once-daily service. A morning flight from St. Louis and an afternoon flight from Long Beach will be offered.
No other airlines currently serve the route leaving Southwest as the only operator.
Between Long Beach, California and Dallas
Southwest will begin flying between Long Beach and Dallas on March 11, 2021, with once-daily service. A morning flight from Dallas and an afternoon flight from Long Beach will be offered.
No other airlines currently serve the route leaving Southwest as the only operator.
Between Miami and Nashville
Southwest will begin flying between Miami and Nashville on March 11, 2021, with twice-daily service. A morning and afternoon flight will be offered from Nashville while two afternoon flights will be offered from Miami.
American Airlines will be Southwest's sole competitor, offering multiple daily flights between its hub in Miami and the Music City.
Between Miami and Denver
Southwest will begin flying between Miami and Denver on March 11, 2021, with twice-daily service. A morning and afternoon flight will be offered from Miami while a morning and evening flight will be offered from Denver.
American Airlines, United Airlines, and Frontier Airlines will all compete with Southwest on the route.
Between Sarasota, Florida and Columbus, Ohio
Southwest will begin flying between Sarasota, Florida and Columbus, Ohio on March 13, 2021, with once-weekly service on Saturdays only. A morning flight will be offered in both directions.
No other airlines currently operate on the route to Columbus' John Glenn Columbus International Airport, though ultra-low-cost carrier Allegiant Air operates to nearby Rickenbacker International Airport from Sarasota.
Between Sarasota, Florida and Indianapolis
Southwest will begin flying between Sarasota and Indianapolis, Indiana on March 13, 2021, with once-weekly service on Saturdays only. Morning flights will be offered in both directions.
Allegiant Air will be Southwest's only competition on the route.
Between Sarasota, Florida and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Southwest will begin flying between Sarasota and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 13, 2021, with once-weekly service on Saturdays only. A morning flight will be offered from Pittsburgh while an afternoon flight will be offered from Sarasota.
Allegiant Air will be Southwest's only competition on the route.
Between Phoenix and Cancun, Mexico
Southwest will begin flying between Phoenix and Cancun, Mexico on April 12, 2021, with daily service. A morning flight from Phoenix and an afternoon return from Cancun will be offered.
Mexico is one of the few international destinations currently open to Americans and doesn't require a negative COVID-19 test as a prerequisite to entry. American Airlines will be Southwest's only competition on the route.