Southwest Airlines is significantly expanding its reach beyond U.S. borders by adding 11 new international routes to popular holiday destinations. Scheduled to roll out between November 2026 and June 2027, these nonstop flights will connect travelers from five American cities to various hotspots in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Where are the new routes located?

The expansion focuses heavily on major hubs like Nashville and Austin, where the airline already maintains a large presence. The new service patterns include:

  • Nashville: New connections to Liberia (Costa Rica), Aruba, Nassau (Bahamas), and Providenciales (Turks and Caicos).
  • Austin: Flights to San José (Costa Rica), Liberia, Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), and Nassau.
  • Las Vegas: A new nonstop service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, starting November 1, 2026.
  • Other Cities: New connections from Columbus and Pittsburgh to Punta Cana.

Why is the airline expanding now?

This growth comes as North American travelers show an increasing appetite for tropical destinations. Demand for travel to Liberia, for instance, has surged by 11.8% in recent months as vacationers look toward the Guanacaste coastline. By adding these routes, Southwest aims to capture this momentum and provide more direct options for passengers looking to avoid the hassle of layovers.

In markets like Las Vegas and Austin, Southwest already holds a massive share of flight operations, controlling over 40% of the market in both cities. This expansion allows the carrier to further solidify its dominance in these regional hubs while catering to the rising numbers of tourists and business travelers.

What should travelers expect?

Many of these Southwest international routes are seasonal or will operate on specific days of the week. For example, several flights from Nashville and Austin are scheduled as Saturday-only services. Travelers should verify specific operating days and seasonal availability before booking accommodations.

FAQ

When do these new flights begin?

The first new route, connecting Las Vegas to Puerto Vallarta, is expected to launch on November 1, 2026, with most other services starting in early 2027.

Which U.S. cities will see the most growth?

Nashville and Austin will see the most significant additions, with Nashville gaining four new international connections and Austin gaining four as well.