Southwest Airlines Adds First New Destination After 5 Years

4 godzin temu

DALLAS— Southwest Airlines (WN) has announced its intention to launch new service to Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands starting early 2026. This expansion adds St. Thomas to Southwest’s growing list of Caribbean destinations, broadening its tropical offerings from key U.S. cities like Orlando International Airport (MCO).

This announcement marks the first of three new destinations Southwest Airlines plans to unveil for 2026. The carrier’s continued network growth aligns with its strategy to enhance customer choice and compete in both leisure and international markets.

Southwest Airlines New Destination: St. Thomas

Southwest Airlines’ decision to add St. Thomas (STT) signals a deliberate move to strengthen its Caribbean network. This will become the airline’s ninth island destination in the Atlantic Basin, complementing existing services to Aruba (AUA), the Bahamas (NAS), Cayman Islands (GCM), Cuba (HAV), Dominican Republic (PUJ), Jamaica (MBJ), Puerto Rico (SJU), and Turks and Caicos Islands (PLS).

The carrier also maintains international operations to Belize (BZE), Costa Rica’s San José (SJO), and Liberia (LIR), and three destinations in Mexico: Cancun (CUN), Cozumel (CZM), and Puerto Vallarta (PVR).

The addition of STT was delayed previously due to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite being under consideration alongside St. Maarten (SXM).

Initial services to St. Thomas are expected to include daily flights from Orlando (MCO), with potential weekend-only flights from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) and Nashville (BNA).

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism welcomed this expansion, highlighting the increased accessibility for U.S. travelers who do not require a passport to visit from the mainland.

Potential Additional Routes and Destinations

Southwest is reportedly evaluating further network additions, with strong speculation around St. Maarten (SXM) and St. Croix (STX) as upcoming announcements.

The airline is also considering new ski destinations such as Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), and Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN), likely connecting through Denver International Airport (DEN) on a seasonal basis.

Beyond the Caribbean, European destinations including Reykjavik (KEF) in Iceland and Dublin (DUB) in Ireland remain under internal review. Official announcements for these long-haul routes could follow in late 2025.

On the domestic front, airports like McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville (TYS) and Dane County Regional Airport in Madison (MSN) are under serious consideration, driven by regional demand and market potential. However, no definitive routes or timelines have been disclosed.

Fleet Upgrades and Service Enhancements

Coinciding with its route expansion, Southwest plans to introduce premium seating options and fare bundles starting in the first quarter of 2026.

The airline is reconfiguring its fleet to feature extra legroom seating and will start selling assigned and premium seats by Q3 2025. These moves are part of Southwest’s broader strategy to modernize its offerings while maintaining its value-driven service model.

Despite these expansions, Southwest is expected to exit Havana (HAV) and has paused plans for Key West (EYW) due to runway constraints.

Discussions also continue regarding reinstating services to cities like Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) and Bellingham International Airport (BLI), both of which were removed in 2024 due to capacity and fleet challenges.

U.S. Virgin Islands: A Key Tourism Gateway

Located approximately 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands consist of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. The capital, Charlotte Amalie, sits on St. Thomas and serves as a hub for both tourism and commerce.

The region is known for its scenic beaches, rich cultural history, and ease of travel for U.S. citizens, who do not need a passport for entry.

Government officials, including U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr., emphasized that Southwest’s arrival will boost tourism, providing travelers easier access to the islands’ hospitality, natural beauty, and unique experiences.

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