THE SUMMER WE TURNED PLENTY OF VACATION DREAMS INTO REALITY: BOOK SUMMER 2026 ON SOUTHWEST TODAY!

Rhea-AI Summary

Southwest (NYSE: LUV) opened booking for its Summer 2026 schedule on Oct. 9, 2025, with expanded frequencies, new routes, and service enhancements.

Key moves include increased year-over-year frequencies in Las Vegas (eight routes) and Orlando (11 routes), inaugural service to Anchorage starting May 15, 2026, new international nonstop Las Vegas–Cancun beginning June 4, 2026, and a San Diego peak-day record of 134 trips to 43 destinations. The schedule is bookable through Aug. 3, 2026, and cabin changes add assigned/premium seating, free Wi-Fi for Rapid Rewards members, and in-seat power rolling out on 737-8 aircraft.

Positive

• Anchorage inaugural service begins May 15, 2026
• Schedule open for booking through Aug. 3, 2026 (~300 days inventory)
• San Diego: 134 peak-day trips and 43 destinations
• Orlando operation grows to serve 63 unique destinations
• Las Vegas increases frequencies on 8 routes and adds international service
• Las Vegas–Cancun nonstop launches June 4, 2026

Negative

• None.

Insights

Airline Network Strategist

Southwest expands summer 2026 capacity, adds Anchorage service, and publishes new customer amenities; this increases market presence and booking inventory.

Southwest is growing frequency in key hubs—notably Las Vegas, Orlando, San Diego, Austin, and intra-California markets—and launching inaugural service to Anchorage with once‑daily flights to Denver and Las Vegas beginning May 15, 2026. The carrier also starts the only nonstop between Las Vegas and Cancun on June 4, 2026 and adds other Mexico links that day; the schedule opens for booking through Aug. 3, 2026. The company pairs network moves with product changes: assigned/premium seating, free Wi‑Fi for members via T‑Mobile, and added in‑seat power on 737‑8s.

These actions increase available inventory nearly 300 days forward, concentrate capacity where the airline already leads, and broaden leisure and point‑to‑point connectivity. Risks include execution of international launches and fitting product upgrades across fleet on the stated timeline; operational issues or slower uptake could mute revenue gains. Concrete items to watch: the Anchorage launch on May 15, 2026, the Las Vegas–Cancun nonstop debut on June 4, 2026, and booking window closure on Aug. 3, 2026, which will reveal demand patterns and load factors over the summer period.

• Airline is offering even more at Las Vegas and Orlando, where it leads the industry in departures and destinations¹

DALLAS, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Belly up to Southwest.com^® and get ready to book! Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) is making its summer 2026 schedule available for purchase today. The carrier is enhancing its service in key cities, increasing intra-California capacity, and publishing its initial service to Anchorage, Alaska.

"In designing our summer 2026 schedule, we examined industry trends and identified locations – like Las Vegas, Orlando, and San Diego – where we are able to provide Customers more choices when they're booking travel," said Adam Decaire, Senior Vice President Network Planning and Network Operations Control at Southwest Airlines. "Additionally, we're boosting service in locations where we've always had a strong presence to offer Customers even more service than ever before in those cities."

Even Bigger Where Southwest Airlines^® is Biggest

Southwest^® is boosting year-over-year frequencies on eight routes in Las Vegas – where Southwest offers nonstop service to 22 of the top 25 U.S. travel markets² – while launching international service there for the first time. The routes with varying increases are Nashville, Tennessee; Burbank, California; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; Orlando, Florida; New Orleans; Reno, Nevada, and Tampa, Florida. Additionally, the only nonstop between Las Vegas and Cancun is scheduled to begin June 4, 2026, along with new flights connecting Vegas with Los Cabos, Mexico, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Southwest's largest Florida operation in Orlando is growing year-over-year frequencies on 11 routes, enhancing the airline's existing service to 63 unique destinations³. Orlando increases include Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; Baltimore; Indianapolis; Las Vegas; Kansas City, Missouri; Milwaukee; New Orleans; Pittsburgh; Louisville, Kentucky; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

With the new Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport open for business, Southwest is scheduled to offer an all-time high of 134 trips on peak days and an all-time high of 43 destinations from America's Finest City³. A new route is set to launch June 4, 2026, between San Diego and Boston, while the San Diego-San Francisco route grows to eight departures on peak days.

The carrier's offerings in the Texas state capital continue to grow in summer 2026 with a new daily route between Austin and Cincinnati and the return of seasonal service to and from Seattle. Added breadth in frequencies between Austin and Indianapolis (three flights daily), as well as Austin and San Francisco (two flights Monday through Friday), builds on Southwest's 48-year history at Austin Bergstrom International Airport.

Shining in the Golden State

Southwest is increasing its best-in-industry⁴ intra-California service with a redesigned schedule at Los Angeles International Airport. Service between LAX and the following cities is increased on peak days: Sacramento (from five flights to six), San Francisco (from four flights to six), and San Jose (from six flights to seven). This new service complements the San Diego-San Francisco growth, as well as the recent return to the Southwest network of Burbank-San Francisco.

The Midnight Sun Rises on Southwest

Inaugural service at Anchorage, Alaska's Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is set to begin May 15, 2026. Southwest is offering once-daily flights through the summer connecting Anchorage with Denver and Las Vegas. Anchorage receives up to 22 hours per day of functional daylight during the summer and will be the 122nd airport⁵ in Southwest's network when service begins.

Southwest's schedule is available for booking through Aug. 3, 2026, opening nearly 300 days of available inventory on Southwest's redesigned cabin experience. Enhancements include selling assigned and premium seating for flights, launching 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 are eligible for free Wi-Fi, thanks to T-Mobile, and tier benefits make every journey more enjoyable. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply at Southwest.com/rrterms. 

The reimagined Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Credit Cards from Chase make everyday spending and flying even more rewarding. To learn more about Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards from Chase, please click here.

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 airline⁶. By empowering its more than 72,000⁷ 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. Based on the Department of Transportation O&D Survey for twelve months beginning Oct. 1, 2023 and ending September 30, 2024, for domestic originating passengers boarded.
3. Based on Southwest's published service available at Southwest.com .
4. Based on U.S. Dept of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q1 2025
5. Service at Anchorage is scheduled to begin May 15, 2026 after Southwest's on-sale service to St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands (Feb. 7, 2026); Knoxville, Tennessee (March 5, 2026); Sint Maarten (April 7, 2026); and Santa Rosa (Sonoma County), California (April 7, 2026).
6. Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q1 2025
7. Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of June 30, 2025

 

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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

FAQ

When did Southwest (LUV) open bookings for its Summer 2026 schedule?

Southwest opened Summer 2026 bookings on Oct. 9, 2025.

When does Southwest (LUV) begin service to Anchorage and which cities connect?

Inaugural Anchorage service begins May 15, 2026, once daily to Denver and Las Vegas.

What new international routes is Southwest (LUV) adding from Las Vegas for summer 2026?

Southwest adds Las Vegas nonstop to Cancun starting June 4, 2026, plus Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta.

How far ahead is Southwest (LUV) selling Summer 2026 travel inventory?

The schedule is available for booking through Aug. 3, 2026, nearly 300 days of inventory.

What San Diego capacity changes did Southwest (LUV) announce for Summer 2026?

Southwest plans an all-time high of 134 trips on peak days and 43 destinations from San Diego.

What customer experience changes accompany Southwest's Summer 2026 schedule?

Enhancements include assigned and premium seating, free Wi-Fi for Rapid Rewards members, and in-seat power on 737-8 aircraft.