Southwest Adds First New Destination Since 2021
Service alerts broader community growth and product modifications forward of 2026.
By Ryan Ewing
Southwest is getting ready to increase its route community with the addition of a brand new vacation spot in early 2026 — the primary since 2021. The airline introduced Monday that this growth marks the start of a broader technique to introduce a number of new locations, with further bulletins anticipated later this summer season.
Beginning in early 2026, the provider will start serving St. Thomas within the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“We’re listening carefully to what our Prospects need — from new merchandise and loyalty advantages to new locations,” mentioned Southwest CEO Bob Jordan in a information launch. “We wish to make Southwest Airways the straightforward and apparent alternative each time, and that is one other significant step in our ongoing transformation.”
The newly introduced vacation spot brings Southwest’s complete variety of island locations within the Atlantic area to 9, becoming a member of areas corresponding to Aruba, the Bahamas, and Jamaica. The airline additionally continues to serve locations in Mexico, Belize, and Central America.
Past its route community, Southwest is planning to introduce premium seating options, fare bundles, and a reconfigured cabin format beginning in early 2026. Assigned seating will start rolling out later this 12 months, a part of the airline’s ongoing efforts to modernize its choices.
Refreshed interiors on Southwest plane (Photograph: Southwest Airways)
The brand new vacation spot can be Southwest’s first community addition because the airline started serving Syracuse, New York, and Bellingham, Washington, in 2021. Southwest ended flights to both markets in 2024.
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Ryan based AirlineGeeks.com again in February 2013 and has amassed appreciable expertise within the aviation sector. His work has been featured in a number of publications and information shops, together with CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Enterprise Insider. Throughout his time within the trade, he is labored in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations whereas holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Administration from Arizona State College together with an MBA. Ryan has expertise in a number of sides of the trade from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline trade executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks’ proprietor FLYING Media, spearheading protection within the business aviation area.
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