THE GOLDEN STATE GROWTH GOES ON: BOOK ON SOUTHWEST TODAY FOR LATE SUMMER 2026

Rhea-AI Summary

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) extended its schedule for booking through Sept. 30, 2026, adding capacity and new routes in Southern California and between California and Hawaii.

Key highlights include an all-time high of 139 scheduled departures on peak San Diego days in Aug–Sep 2026; a new once-daily San Diego–Santa Barbara service starting Aug. 4, 2026; doubled daily roundtrips between San Diego and Portland, Salt Lake City, and Seattle starting Aug. 4, 2026; new Burbank–Honolulu peak service starting Aug. 4, 2026; Ontario–Honolulu daily service from June 4, 2026; and Long Beach–Portland/Seattle service six days per week from Aug. 4, 2026.

The carrier also noted product upgrades including assigned and premium seating, free Wi‑Fi for Rapid Rewards members (via T‑Mobile), and in‑seat power on Boeing 737‑8 aircraft.

Positive

• All-time high 139 scheduled departures on peak San Diego days (Aug–Sep 2026)
• Adds San Diego’s 44th destination: once-daily Santa Barbara from Aug. 4, 2026
• Doubles daily San Diego roundtrips to Portland, Salt Lake City, Seattle from Aug. 4, 2026
• New California–Hawaii service: Burbank–Honolulu (peak days) from Aug. 4, 2026
• Ontario–Honolulu daily service beginning June 4, 2026
• Long Beach reconnects to Portland and Seattle six days/week from Aug. 4, 2026
• Schedule open for sale through Sept. 30, 2026 and cabin upgrades underway (Wi‑Fi, assigned/premium seating, 737‑8 power)

Negative

• None.

Insights

Airline Network Strategist

Southwest expands capacity in Southern California and Hawaii with new routes and peak‑season growth, supporting revenue and network density into late summer 2026.

Southwest is increasing flying in San Diego to an all‑time high of 139 scheduled departures on peak days and adding service that connects its 44th destination to San Diego starting Aug. 4, 2026. The carrier also put two California–Hawaii routes and additional Greater Los Angeles connections on sale, with service launches on June 4, 2026 and Aug. 4, 2026, and extended booking through Sept. 30, 2026. These moves raise seat supply on targeted leisure and trans‑Pacific markets and increase network density in Southern California, which typically supports higher unit revenue if demand follows capacity.

Key dependencies and risks are explicit in the release: the impact depends entirely on realized demand for shoulder‑season travel in San Diego and new Hawaii services, and on the airline converting additional flying into paying traffic. The airline also cites customer‑facing product changes—assigned and premium seating, free Wi‑Fi for Rapid Rewards members, and in‑seat power on Boeing 737‑8s—which may affect ancillary revenue and customer retention but require execution to materialize benefits.

Watch near‑term booking pace and load factors for the announced start dates (June 4, 2026 and Aug. 4, 2026), and monitor whether the enlarged schedule yields sustained yields or triggers competitive response. Expect initial visibility on performance within one to two booking cycles after the service launches.

• California's largest carrier¹ debuts all-time high departures in San Diego
• New service between Hawaii and the mainland set to launch from LA-area airports

DALLAS, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today extended its schedule for booking through September 2026 – giving Customers more options in San Diego than ever before and new offerings at three airports in Greater Los Angeles. Customers can book today at Southwest.com^®.

"For more than 25 years, we've served more destinations and carried more Customers than any other airline in California," said Adam Decaire, Senior Vice President Network Planning and Network Operations Control at Southwest Airlines. "New facilities like those in San Diego and Burbank, along with our onboard Customer enhancements, have Southwest positioned to continue offering more for Customers in Southern California and beyond for many years to come."  

Shoulder Season is Southwest's Peak Season in San Diego
Southwest Airlines^® is continuing to increase its footprint in San Diego with an all-time high of 139 scheduled departures on peak days during August and September 2026. With its continued Customer Experience enhancements both in the air and at SAN's Terminal 1, the airline is connecting its 44th destination to America's Finest City with once-daily service to and from Santa Barbara, California, scheduled to begin Aug. 4, 2026.

Additionally, Southwest^® is doubling its daily roundtrip flights between San Diego and Portland, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. The growth on those daily routes is slated to launch Aug. 4, 2026.

Even Greater in Greater LA
Two new connections between California and Hawaii are out for sale with peak-day service between Burbank, California, and Honolulu slated to begin Aug. 4, 2026. The carrier is also adding daily service between Ontario, California, and Honolulu scheduled to begin June 4, 2026.

Southwest, the largest carrier at Long Beach Airport ¹, is linking Long Beach with Portland and Seattle with a scheduled launch Aug. 4, 2026. The new service will operate six days per week and marks Southwest's return to service between the Greater Los Angeles area and these Pacific Northwest destinations.

Southwest's schedule – with more than 300 days of flights out for sale – is available for booking through Sept. 30, 2026. The carrier recently debuted its redesigned cabin experience, among other Customer Experience enhancements, including assigned and premium seating, free Wi-Fi for all Rapid Rewards^®  Members, thanks to T-Mobile^®, and adding in-seat power to all its Boeing 737-8 aircraft as the airline works toward in-seat power across its full fleet.

Want even more from Southwest?
Join Rapid Rewards. Rapid Rewards Members earn points by flying or spending with eligible partners. Members can purchase points to earn a reward to book their favorite destination or a new Southwest route. Plus, Members have access to free Wi-Fi², thanks to T-Mobile, and tier benefits make every journey more enjoyable. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply at Southwest.com/rrterms. 

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 117 airports across 11 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 airline³. By empowering its more than 72,000⁴ People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 140 million Customers carried in 2024. 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.

1.	Based on U.S. Dept of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q1 2025
2.	Where available. Available on WiFi-enabled designated aircraft.
3.	Based on U.S. Dept of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q1 2025
4.	Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of Sept. 30, 2025

 

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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

FAQ

When can I book Southwest (LUV) flights through September 2026?

Southwest has opened its schedule for sale through Sept. 30, 2026.

What new San Diego routes did Southwest (LUV) add for summer 2026?

Southwest added a once-daily San Diego–Santa Barbara route starting Aug. 4, 2026 and doubled service to Portland, Salt Lake City and Seattle from the same date.

When does Southwest (LUV) start Burbank–Honolulu and Ontario–Honolulu service?

Burbank–Honolulu peak service starts Aug. 4, 2026; Ontario–Honolulu daily service starts June 4, 2026.

How many departures will Southwest (LUV) have in San Diego on peak days in Aug–Sep 2026?

Southwest plans an all-time high of 139 scheduled departures on peak days during Aug–Sep 2026.

Is Southwest (LUV) restoring service from Greater Los Angeles to the Pacific Northwest?

Yes; Southwest will link Long Beach with Portland and Seattle six days per week starting Aug. 4, 2026.

What onboard upgrades did Southwest (LUV) highlight with the schedule release?

Southwest noted assigned and premium seating, free Wi‑Fi for Rapid Rewards members (via T‑Mobile), and in‑seat power on Boeing 737‑8 aircraft.