Southwest Airlines is reinforcing a decades-long commitment to both Las Vegas (LAS) and Orlando (MCO) by adding waves of new flights beginning this spring and continuing through Spring 2027. The enhanced flight schedules build on the carrier’s longstanding position as the largest air carrier in both communities and bring new ways to travel nonstop between dozens of cities and two of the most dynamic leisure and convention markets in the United States.
“Las Vegas and Orlando are foundational communities in our network, and places where Southwest long has offered the most service, seats, and nonstop travel options,” said Andrew Watterson, Southwest Airlines Chief Operating Officer. “We’re bringing more to our relationship in both places and adding to the hundreds of flights a day we already offer in both communities.”
Leading Las Vegas
By Spring 2027, Southwest plans to initiate new service between Las Vegas and 10 airports, bringing a record-high daily departure count in the carrier’s 45th year serving Las Vegas. Overall, Southwest plans to introduce or increase service on 26 of 81 routes served to and from Las Vegas.
In addition to new routes, Southwest also plans additional flights bringing more time-of-day options on 15 existing nonstop routes.
Building on Rapid Growth in Orlando
Southwest is scheduled to operate its largest-ever Orlando schedule later this year as new or additional flights come online for 23 of 68 routes served to and from Orlando. In 2027, Southwest intends to offer Central Florida travelers well beyond 200 departures a day through Orlando International Airport.
In addition to the new routes, Southwest plans to increase service on 17 existing routes to and from Orlando:
Long-term Commitments Backed by People and Infrastructure
Orlando and Las Vegas perennially are among the top ten daily operations at Southwest, bases of operation that support domiciled Flight Crews and other work groups such as maintenance, training, technology and facilities, creating thousands of locally based jobs that intertwine flight and community service. In Las Vegas, Southwest employs 5,306 People; in Orlando, more than 4,700 People work for the airline.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to (i) the Company’s network plans and expectations, including with respect to service in Las Vegas and Orlando; (ii) the Company’s capacity plans and expectations; and (iii) the Company’s positioning in certain markets, including with respect to offering the most service, seats, and nonstop travel options. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current estimates, intentions, beliefs, expectations, goals, strategies, and projections for the future and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the impact of fears or actual outbreaks of diseases, extreme or severe weather and natural disasters, actions of competitors (including, without limitation, pricing, scheduling, capacity, and network decisions, and consolidation and alliance activities), governmental actions, fears or actual acts of terrorism or war, consumer perception, consumer uncertainties with respect to trade policies or government shutdowns (including the imposition of tariffs), economic conditions, banking conditions, sociodemographic trends, and other factors beyond the Company’s control, on consumer behavior and the Company’s results of operations and business decisions, plans, strategies, and results; (ii) the Company’s ability to timely and effectively implement, transition, operate, and maintain the necessary information technology systems and infrastructure to support its operations and initiatives, including with respect to revenue management and assigned and extra legroom seating; (iii) consumer behavior and response with respect to the Company’s new commercial products and policies; (iv) the impact of fuel price changes, fuel price volatility, and fuel availability on the Company’s business plans and results of operations; (v) the impact of governmental regulations and other governmental actions, including with respect to government shutdowns, as well as the Company’s ability to obtain any required governmental approvals, on the Company’s business plans, results, and operations; (vi) the Company’s dependence on The Boeing Company (“Boeing”) and Boeing suppliers with respect to the Company’s aircraft deliveries, Boeing MAX 7 aircraft certifications, fleet and capacity plans, operations, maintenance, strategies, and goals; (vii) the Company’s dependence on the Federal Aviation Administration with respect to, among other things, the certification of the Boeing MAX 7 aircraft; (viii) the Company’s dependence on other third parties, in particular with respect to its technology plans, its plans and expectations related to revenue management, online travel agencies, operational reliability, fuel supply, maintenance, Global Distribution Systems, environmental sustainability, and the impact on the Company’s operations and results of operations of any third party delays or nonperformance; (ix) the Company’s ability to timely and effectively prioritize its initiatives and focus areas and related expenditures; (x) the impact of labor matters on the Company’s business decisions, plans, strategies, and results; (xi) the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain adequate infrastructure and equipment to support its operations and initiatives; (xii) the Company’s dependence on its workforce, including its ability to employ and retain sufficient numbers of qualified Employees with appropriate skills and expertise to effectively and efficiently maintain its operations and execute the Company’s plans, strategies, and initiatives; (xiii) the cost and effects of the actions of activist shareholders; and (xiv) other factors, as described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports across 12 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline(fn. 1). By empowering its more than 73,000(fn. 2) People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 134 million Customers carried in 2025. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.
- Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q4 2025
- Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of March 31, 2026
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