Southwest Airlines Launches New Summer 2026 Routes to Alaska, Mexico, and Beyond

"Southwest Airlines will expand its routes just in time for summer 2026, launching new flights to California, Mexico, and beyond, according to the airline. The carrier also plans to increase service on several of its most popular routes. "In designing our summer 2026 schedule, we examined industry trends and identified locations... where we are able to provide Customers more choices when they're booking travel," Adam Decaire, the senior vice president of network planning and network operations control at Southwest Airlines, said in a statement."

"Starting June 4, 2026, Southwest will launch a new route between Boston and San Diego. The airline will similarly plan to launch new daily flights between Austin and Cincinnati, but didn't specify when they would start. Also on June 4, Southwest will add brand-new service between Las Vegas and Cancun, offering what it calls the only nonstop between the two cities. The carrier said it will launch new flights between Sin City and both Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico as well."

"In addition, Southwest will increase the frequency of flights on dozens of routes across its network, including service from Las Vegas, Orlando, Austin, and more. In California, the carrier will also plan to increase service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Jose. Finally, Southwest will plan to launch its inaugural service to Anchorage on May 15, 2026. These flights will operate daily through the summer and connect the Alaska city with both Denver and Las Vegas."

Southwest Airlines will expand its route network for summer 2026 with new flights to California, Mexico, and other destinations while increasing frequency on many existing routes. New routes include Boston–San Diego beginning June 4, 2026, new Austin–Cincinnati daily flights with timing to be announced, and Las Vegas–Cancun nonstop service also starting June 4, plus Las Vegas service to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. The carrier will increase frequencies across dozens of routes including Las Vegas, Orlando, and Austin, and boost LAX service to Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Jose. Southwest will begin daily Anchorage service on May 15, 2026, connecting Anchorage with Denver and Las Vegas.

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