Southwest Airlines new routes are coming, and your wallet might finally get a break—but here’s the catch that could cost you.

Southwest Airlines new routes are coming, and your wallet might finally get a break—but here’s the catch that could cost you.

Starting next month, the budget carrier is adding nonstop flights from Denver to Cancún, Nashville to Los Angeles, and Baltimore to a surprise beach destination. This means more competition on popular routes, which usually forces prices down. For example, a round-trip ticket from Denver to Cancún is projected to drop by $60 to $80 per passenger, based on current fare trends.

But before you book, know this: Southwest’s “Wanna Get Away” fares are still strict about changes and cancellations. If your plans shift, you could lose that savings faster than a seat sale ends. Plus, the new routes might be missing from your usual booking app, so you’ll want to check the airline’s site directly to avoid paying extra fees elsewhere.

For frequent flyers, this is a goldmine—more options means more chances to use your points without premium surcharges. But for casual travelers, the real win is if you live near one of these nine launch cities. If not, you might be paying more to connect through a hub, negating any bargain.

The bottom line: Southwest is finally expanding after a year of scaling back. That’s great for your next trip, but only if you plan ahead and read the fine print. Don’t let a low fare trick you into a high-cost headache.