Southwest Airlines brings back 66 seasonal routes in summer schedule rollout

30.10.2023 - 13:41 / thepointsguy.com

Southwest Airlines made headlines last week when it announced 30 new routes, adding new service at cities across its map.

The additions — which came as Southwest extended its booking schedule through Aug. 4, 2024 — may have been the headliners, but they're not the only ones that Southwest customers will see come online next summer.

Southwest also detailed another 66 seasonal routes returning to its schedule this summer, many taking the place of winter-oriented seasonal routes that will pause as the summer routes begin.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG's free biweekly Aviation newsletter.

That latest batch of Southwest's seasonal summer routes to return in 2024 includes everything from short regional hops to cross-country flights. A few of the coming seasonal routes will be daily service, but the vast majority will operate only on the weekends. Some are returning to the schedule as expected after a short hiatus, while others are coming back after a longer pause.

But no matter the details, the returning flights are being welcomed at the airports receiving them.

"This is wonderful news," Iftikhar Ahmad, CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, said in a statement lauding Southwest's seasonal service from Providence to both Dallas and Denver.

Expanding route map: Southwest adds 30 new routes, shakes up international Florida flights as it extends booking schedule

With the Denver service, Providence joins two other destinations in the Northeast — Albany, New York, and Hartford, Connecticut — in landing service to the Rocky Mountain hub. As one of the busiest airports in Southwest's network, numerous connections are available from Denver to cities in the West.

Milwaukee will see seasonal service return to San Diego. When it begins in June, the 1,739-mile Saturday-only service will give Milwaukee its longest regularly scheduled flight.

"We know that there is strong demand to southern California, and these new flights will make it easy to enjoy the west coast nonstop from MKE," airport director Brian Dranzik said in a statement. "Milwaukee travelers utilizing these flights will help ensure that this service will continue to be offered."

And in Norfolk, Virginia, Southwest's seasonal service to St. Louis could lead to increased service between the cities.

Bargain hunting: When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare in 2023?

"Southwest Airlines carries the majority of passengers between the two cities so nonstop service is a natural fit," Charlie Braden, the head of market development at Norfolk International Airport (ORF), said in a statement to TPG. "We expect the customer base to grow."

Scroll down for the full list of what Southwest included in its list of