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Southwest Airlines’ network is seeing rapid growth as the carrier just announced the launch of Myrtle Beach, expansion in Austin, and new, nonstop service to popular vacation destinations. The latest additions to the carrier’s trajectory total a whopping 36 new routes in time for summer. The move comes as air travel hits pandemic-era highs and U.S. carriers look to capitalize on the uptick in demand.
Speaking on the development, Andrew Watterson, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer said:
“We continue to tailor our schedule with added flights to address closer-in demand for leisure destinations while making foundational additions to our map that position our network for the future.”
Accordingly, the Dallas-based carrier revealed its Myrtle Beach (MYR) launch with 10 new routes commencing ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
Service for Myrtle Beach
The airline is demonstrating its confidence in South Carolina’s tourist hub by launching ten nonstop routes in a span of two weeks. Starting Sunday, May 23, MYR will see nonstop flights to Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Chicago (Midway), and Nashville.
Less than a week later, the carrier will begin the first nonstop service from Dallas/Love Field (DAL) and Pittsburgh (PIT) to operate on Saturdays.
Soon after, nonstop flights to Atlanta, Colombus, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and St Louis will begin on Sunday, June 6. Furthermore, Myrtle Beach will be accessible on Southwest Airlines from 50+ cities through same-plane and connecting itineraries this summer.
With these new routes to Myrtle Beach, the low-cost carrier is offering one-way fares from some of the new cities for as low as $69 one-way, in addition to other sales.
Expansion in Austin
This summer, Southwest will extend frequencies in Austin with nonstop service to a record 37 cities. Latest additions as follows;
Beginning May 9:
- Sacramento (SMF) – 1x daily service, Saturdays excluded after June 6
Beginning June 6:
- Burbank (BUR) – 1x daily service except for Saturday
- Miami (MIA) – 1x daily service
- Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – 1x daily service except for Saturday
- Orange County (SNA) – 1x daily service except for Saturday
- Salt Lake City (SLC) – 1x daily service
- Destin/Fort Walton Beach (VPS) – Saturday, Sunday service
Notably, Southwest will offer nonstop service on weekends between Austin and one of the carrier’s newest destinations, Destin/Fort Walton Beach, starting June 6.
Southwest continues to increase connectivity in Austin as the city holds a predominant significance in the carrier’s network.
“During the last decade, Southwest has served the most nonstop destinations from Austin each year based on DOT published schedules. In March 2021, more than 70% of our Austin Customers got where they’re going with a nonstop journey on Southwest Airlines. With our new service scheduled to begin in June 2021, our number of destinations available nonstop from Austin is more than double the offering of any other carrier,” Watterson added.
Meanwhile, Southwest is not the only carrier paying attention to the Texan capital while expanding its network. Earlier this month, American Airlines announced 10 returning and seasonal routes to Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS) in response to pent-up demand for business and leisure travel.
Moreover, airlines Alaska, Allegiant, Hawaiian, and JetBlue similarly added routes to the city this year.
Nonstop Services For Summer
Continuing the momentum, Southwest is adding new flights to several other cities in anticipation of leisure travel. Beginning May 9, nonstop routes for the summer include daily service between:
- Denver (DEN) and Richmond (RIC)
- Las Vegas (LAS) and Palm Springs (PSP)
- Miami (MIA) and St Louis (STL)
- Frequencies between LAS and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) also begin May 9 with 4x weekly flights before increasing to 6x starting June 6
More nonstop routes include daily service starting June 6 between Nashville (BNA) and Long Island/Islip (ISP); as well as Chicago (MDW) and Portland, Maine (PWM).
The up-and-coming vacation hotspot of Bozeman joins the Southwest network on May 27 with previously announced daily service. The Southern Montana city nestled in the Rockies has been titled one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. and offers easy access to tourist attractions like Yellowstone National Park.
Beginning June 6 and throughout the summer, Southwest will offer additional nonstop service on weekends between Bozeman and Dallas/Love Field (DAL), Chicago (MDW), and Phoenix (PHX).
The carrier has now issued daily nonstop service between Denver and both Steamboat Springs and Montrose (Telluride) starting June 6 and rolling into mid-August.
Saturday Flights
Summer travelers will have new access to nonstop service on Saturdays between:
- Charleston (CHS) and Kansas City (MCI)
- Dallas/Love Field (DAL) and Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ)
- Grand Rapids (GRR) and Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ)
- Milwaukee (MKE) and Destin/Fort Walton Beach (VPS)
- Salt Lake City (SLC) and Tampa (TPA)
For more information on routes, fares, and terms, please visit Southwest.com
To view interstate travel requirements, please click here.
Read more:
Top 10 Up and Coming U.S. Destinations For Summer 2021
U.S. Airlines Begin Charging Change Fees For Basic Economy Again
Delta Adds New Flight Routes To The Caribbean
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19
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