Southwest Airlines News
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES PREPARED TO ASSIST SPIRIT AIRLINES’ CUSTOMERS FACING TRAVEL DISRUPTION
Southwest Airlines Co. is prepared to assist travelers affected by disruptions related to Spirit Airlines’ cessation of operations. Customers holding Spirit reservations may only access special Southwest fares at Southwest ticket counters at their departure airport for eligible routes through 11:59 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 6.
Southwest Joins IATA Schedule Data Exchange Program
Southwest Airlines has joined IATA’s Schedule Data Exchange Program (SDEP), bringing the number of contributing airlines to 190. The SDEP was launched in late 2023 to build a uniquely airline-owned schedule and minimum connecting time exceptions database. Schedule data underpins many aspects of an airline’s business, including network planning, slot coordination, and interline agreements. Data coverage now exceeds 70% available seat kilometers (ASKs) of airlines based in Asia, Middle East, and Africa, and is expected to reach 90% coverage globally by end of 2026.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES BRINGS STARLINK ULTRA-FAST WIFI ONBOARD
Southwest Airlines Co. is taking inflight connectivity to new heights with Starlink. Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink will deliver next-generation WiFi across Southwest’s network of 11 countries, allowing Customers to stream, share, and scroll in the sky at lightning-fast speeds.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES TO OPEN NEW CREW BASE FOR PILOTS AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
Southwest Airlines Co. has announced that a new Crew Base for Pilots and Flight Attendants will open in March 2026 in Austin, Texas, creating more than 2,000 new jobs based at Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and positioning the airline for continued growth in Central Texas
SOUTHWEST IS ADDING ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, TO ITS NETWORK IN 2026
Southwest Airlines Co is keeping the sun up all night on its network expansion party with the intention to begin service at Anchorage, Alaska’s Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in the first half of 2026. Southwest Airlines® is scheduled to make flights available for purchase as part of its next schedule extension coming this month.
SOUTHWEST TO SERVE ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, BEGINNING IN EARLY 2026
Southwest Airlines Co. intends to grow its network in 2026 initially with new service at Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) on St. Thomas, adding the U.S. Virgin Islands to the carrier’s tropical destinations in the Caribbean. Service is expected to begin in early 2026* and will be available for purchase soon.
China Airlines Partners with Southwest Airlines to Expand Connections in North America
China Airlines (CAL), a Taiwan-based carrier, announced today that it is partnering with Southwest Airlines® in the U.S. to set up a transfer network for trans-Pacific routes. Improved accessibility means in the coming future travelers will be able to fly non-stop from Taiwan to the United States (West Coast) and then transfer initially to more than 30 inland cities. China Airlines and Southwest Airlines flights at four major gateways, namely Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA), will offer seamless transfers to Southwest Airlines’ extensive network spanning the entire United States.
Fly nonstop between Ontario, Calif., and Baltimore/Washington with Southwest Airlines 2025
Cheers went up at Ontario International Airport (ONT) when Southwest Airlines announced it will begin daily service to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshal Airport (BWI) June 5, 2025.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CELEBRATES 100TH CONCERT IN THE SKY
Southwest Airlines Co. hosted a surprise concert on Flight #1989 from Nashville to Miami with GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter Liz Rose, who was traveling to watch the songs she wrote with Taylor Swift take the stage at the global superstar’s Miami show. This Southwest® flight took place on Oct. 17 and celebrates the 100th concert of the airline’s signature Live at 35® program that started in 2011, which brings live music performances onboard at 35,000 feet.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES BRINGS BACK ITS LIMITED-TIME COMPANION PASS PROMOTION!
Southwest Airlines Co. announces the return of its highly-coveted Companion Pass® promotion. The airline’s Companion Pass allows Rapid Rewards®1 Members to designate one person to fly with them for free2 every time the Member purchases or redeems points for a flight.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES OFFERS RAPID REWARDS MEMBERS LIMITED-TIME PROMOTION
Southwest Airlines Co. announces the return of its limited-time tier acceleration promotion, making it easier for Southwest Rapid Rewards® Members to earn tier status through 2025. Starting today, Rapid Rewards®1 Members have four opportunities to accelerate their way to the highly coveted A-List or A-List Preferred tier status: qualifying flight purchases, qualifying flight purchases with Rapid Rewards points, Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards from Chase purchases, and Rapid Rewards partner spend. Visit Southwest.com® for the full list of terms and conditions.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES INTRODUCES DAILY NONSTOP SERVICE BETWEEN ORLANDO AND NASSAU
Southwest Airlines recently announced the launch of its new Orlando – Nassau route. Daily nonstop flights will connect Central Florida’s metropolitan hub with The Bahamas’ capital city at the height of the summer months. The Orlando – Nassau flights will operate from 4 June to 4 August, with departures from Orlando and arrivals in Nassau.