5 Things to Know About Southwest Airlines New Routes That Will Change Your Travel Plans
- Southwest Airlines just announced a massive expansion of new routes for 2024, adding service to key destinations like Nashville, Las Vegas, and Chicago at launch prices as low as $49 one-way—but these deals vanish fast, so book now.
- The airline is shaking up its schedule with over 10 new nonstop flights from the West Coast to the East Coast, flying into small airports like Bellingham, Washington and Long Island/Islip, New York, offering travelers cheaper and less crowded alternatives to major hubs.
- Expect major competition with United and Delta on popular leisure routes, as Southwest's new routes target vacation hotspots like Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Sarasota, forcing rivals to slash fares in response.
- Frequent flyers can earn double Rapid Rewards points on all new routes for your first flight, plus a bonus 5,000 points when you use the airline’s app to check in for a new route flight within the first 30 days.
- Weather and maintenance are the wild cards: while Southwest is beefing up its fleet and hiring pilots for these new routes, last summer’s operational meltdown means travelers should pack patience and consider travel insurance for connecting flights through busy airports like Denver.