Southwest to Launch New Routes in 2026, Starting with St. Thomas
Southwest Airlines is set to expand its network for the first time in five years by adding new destinations in 2026, beginning with service to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The airline announced plans to begin flights to Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) in early 2026, though the exact launch date and departure cities have yet to be revealed. This marks a shift from the carrier’s recent focus on strengthening its existing network rather than entering new markets.
STT will be the first of three new destinations that Southwest plans to introduce in 2026, with additional announcements expected later this summer. The expansion comes as part of the airline’s broader transformation strategy, which includes major business model changes such as the introduction of bag fees, assigned seating, and premium cabin options. According to CEO Bob Jordan, the move represents a key milestone as the airline repositions itself for long-term growth.
Speaking at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference in May, Jordan noted that Southwest’s approach to expansion will be cautious and calculated, especially as it may influence decisions around fleet composition and international growth. In May, the airline also applied for blanket authority from the U.S. Transportation Department to operate flights to all U.S. open skies partner nations—paving the way for future international growth.
Although St. Thomas is a U.S. territory, the new route strengthens Southwest’s Caribbean network, which already includes destinations like Aruba, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. Outside the Caribbean, the airline serves Belize, Costa Rica, and multiple cities in Mexico.
In addition to route expansion, Southwest is targeting the sports travel market with 113 special flights this fall to accommodate fans traveling to college and NFL football games. These include 17 one-time roundtrips on routes the airline doesn’t typically serve, such as Columbus–Seattle for the Sept. 27 Ohio State vs. University of Washington game, and Kansas City–Buffalo for the Nov. 2 NFL showdown between the Chiefs and Bills.
The carrier will also increase service to Las Vegas from five cities—Chicago Midway, Cleveland, Dallas Love Field, El Paso, and Denver—to support travel to Raiders home games, combining sports travel with popular weekend getaways.
Southwest’s renewed focus on new destinations and targeted demand signals a return to growth after a cautious post-pandemic strategy, and the airline’s future announcements could further reshape its footprint across the U.S. and beyond.
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