Southwest Airlines is expanding with 12 new leisure routes across the United States and Mexico.
Savannah, Georgia and Sarasota, Florida are at the center of the expansion, with nine new routes to these cities.
Hawaii and Mexico will see three new routes as Americans seek vacations in tropical areas.
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Southwest Airlines continues to expand nationwide with the addition of 12 new routes that were announced Thursday.
The carrier will enter two new markets it did not serve before the pandemic: Savannah, Georgia and Sarasota, Florida. Sun destinations have always been the backbone of the Southwest’s route network, but a push for increased leisure flights has allowed the airline to enter new markets at a rapid pace.
Mexico and Hawaii will also see more low-cost airlines, as Americans seek tropical escapes to any location that will have them. Pre-departure testing is required for travel to the Hawaiian Islands, but not to Mexico.
The announcement comes a day after the Federal Aviation Administration cleared the Boeing 737 Max to return to the sky. Southwest was one of the first to adopt this aircraft, which fits well into its fully Boeing 737 fleet, as the new model does not require too much additional training for pilots and saves the airline fuel.
Read more: Leak announcement: Southwest plans to lay off workers for first time in 53-year history
Southwest previously intended to use the 737 Max for Hawaii service, but the plane’s grounding in March 2019 delayed its debut in the region. With the Max now cleared for service, Southwest will soon be at full capacity as it refits these planes. The airline plans to acquire more from Boeing, although it has not been announced whether the Max will fly on any of these new routes.
Here’s where Southwest Airlines flies in 2021.
Between Savannah, Georgia and Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland.
David Shvartsman / Getty Images
Southwest Airlines will begin flying between Savannah, Georgia and Baltimore, Maryland from March 11, 2021. Twice daily service will see one flight depart from Baltimore in the morning and another in the late afternoon with return flights from Savannah departing late. morning. and in the early evening.
The only competition Southwest will have on the road is Allegiant Air. The ultra-low-cost carrier offers service twice a week between the two cities on Sundays and Thursdays.
Between Savannah, Georgia and Chicago
Southwest will begin flying between Savannah, Georgia and Chicago, Illinois starting March 11, 2021. Once-daily service will depart Chicago Midway International Airport in the morning with a return flight in the afternoon.
United Airlines and American Airlines will compete with Southwest on the route, providing service to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Southwest, however, has the sizeable advantage by offering Boeing 737s instead of the regional jet service offered by its competitors.
Between Savannah, Georgia and Dallas
Dallas, Texas.
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Southwest will begin flying between Savannah, GA and Dallas, Texas on March 11, 2021. Once-daily service will depart Dallas Love Field in the morning with a return flight in the afternoon.
The only competition Southwest will have on the route is that of American Airlines, which offers flights three times a day to the Dallas / Fort Worth International Airport.
Between Savannah, Georgia and Houston
Houston, Texas.
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Southwest will begin flying between Savannah, GA and Houston, Texas on March 11, 2021. Once-daily service will depart from William P. Hobby Airport in Houston in the afternoon with a return flight late in the afternoon. ‘afternoon.
The only competition Southwest will have on the route is United Airlines, which has twice daily flights to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Southwest, however, will have the size advantage using the Boeing 737 aircraft over United’s Embraer E175 regional jets operated by Mesa Airlines.
Between Savannah, Georgia and Nashville
Southwest will begin flying between Savannah, GA and Nashville, Tennessee on March 11, 2021. Once-daily service will depart Nashville in the afternoon with a return flight in the early evening.
No other airline currently flies the 363-mile route, giving Southwest an edge as it expands its presence in the city of music.
Between Sarasota, Florida and Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland.
Cyndi Monaghan / Getty Images
The Southwest will begin flying between Sarasota, Florida and Baltimore, Maryland starting February 14, 2021. The three-time service will see morning, afternoon and evening flights from Baltimore and return flights in the early morning, afternoon and late afternoon. Sarasota.
The only competition Southwest will have on the road is Allegiant Air. The ultra-low-cost carrier offers a twice-weekly service between the two cities on Mondays and Fridays.
Between Sarasota, Florida and Chicago
Chicago, Illinois.
Joe Daniel Price / Getty Images
The Southwest will begin flying between Sarasota, Florida and Chicago starting February 14, 2021. Twice-daily service will include a morning and afternoon flight from Chicago and two afternoon return flights from Sarasota.
American Airlines and United Airlines will compete with Southwest on the route, both offering daily service to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Frontier Airlines also offers service only on Saturdays from O’Hare International.
Between Sarasota, Florida and Houston
Houston, Texas.
IrinaK / Shutterstock
Southwest Airlines will begin flying between Sarasota, Florida and Houston starting February 14, 2021. Once-daily service will see a late morning or early afternoon flight, depending on the day, departing from the airport William P. Hobby from Houston and a late afternoon flight return from Sarasota.
No other airline serves the route, leaving Southwest as the only non-stop operator.
Between Sarasota, Florida and Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee.
Photograph by Dan Reynolds / Getty Images
The Southwest will begin flying between Sarasota, Florida and Nashville starting February 14, 2021. Twice-daily service will include a morning or afternoon flight, depending on the day, and an evening flight to departure from Nashville. Return flights from Sarasota will be operated in the morning and, depending on the day, afternoon or evening.
The only competition Southwest will have on the road is Allegiant Air. The ultra-low-cost carrier offers a twice-weekly service between the two cities on Mondays and Fridays.
Between Long Beach, California and Honolulu
Honolulu Hawaii.
emperorcosar / Shutterstock
Southwest will begin flying between Long Beach, CA and Honolulu on March 11, 2021. Once-daily service will see a morning departure from Long Beach and an afternoon return flight from Honolulu.
The only competition Southwest will have on the route is from Hawaiian Airlines. The unofficial Hawaiian airline also offers daily service between the two cities on its new Airbus A321neo aircraft.
Between Orange County, California and Los Cabos, Mexico
Los Cabos, Mexico.
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The Southwest will begin flying between Orange County, Calif. And Los Cabos, Mexico starting March 11, 2021. The once-daily service will see a morning departure from Orange County and a return flight there. afternoon in Los Cabos.
No other airline currently flies the mile route, giving Southwest an edge as it expands its presence at John Wayne Airport, providing an alternative to Los Angeles International Airport. Orange County is gaining popularity with low cost carriers, with Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air announcing new service to the airport.
Between Orange County, California and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
The Southwest will begin flying between Orange County, California and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico starting March 11, 2021. Once-daily service will see a morning departure from Orange County and a return flight late afternoon from Puerto Vallarta.
No other airline currently serves the route, giving Southwest an edge as it expands its presence at John Wayne Airport.
