Southwest just dropped 25 new nonstop routes for 2026 and early 2027, and this is their biggest single expansion in years. The headline news: Las Vegas finally gets Southwest international flights, Austin gets a direct link to Costa Rica, and a bunch of mid-size cities like Greenville-Spartanburg and Knoxville are suddenly connected to places they never were before. If you book in the first 72 hours after a route goes live, you can grab fares as low as $49 one-way. Here’s exactly what’s new, what it costs, and how to lock in the best deal.
Photo by Forsaken Films on Unsplash
The 25 New Nonstop Routes: Full List
Southwest announced these routes in three waves. Wave 1 launches March 13, 2026 (Austin–San José, Costa Rica). Wave 2 starts June 2026 (Las Vegas international routes). Wave 3 rolls out through Spring 2027. Here’s the full breakdown with estimated one-way fares based on current data.
| Route | Launch Date | Est. One-Way Fare (Base) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin (AUS) – San José, Costa Rica (SJO) | Mar 13, 2026 | $129 | First-ever nonstop on this market |
| Las Vegas (LAS) – Cancún (CUN) | Jun 2026 | $99 | First SW international from LAS |
| Las Vegas (LAS) – Los Cabos (SJD) | Jun 2026 | $109 | First SW international from LAS |
| Las Vegas (LAS) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR) | Jun 2026 | $109 | First SW international from LAS |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – St. Thomas (STT) | Fall 2026 | $199 | New destination for SW |
| Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) – Knoxville (TYS) | Fall 2026 | $49 | Regional connector |
| Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) – Nashville (BNA) | Fall 2026 | $59 | |
| Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) – Tampa (TPA) | Fall 2026 | $69 | |
| Knoxville (TYS) – Nashville (BNA) | Fall 2026 | $49 | |
| Knoxville (TYS) – Tampa (TPA) | Fall 2026 | $69 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – Denver (DEN) | Fall 2026 | $79 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – Phoenix (PHX) | Fall 2026 | $89 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – Las Vegas (LAS) | Fall 2026 | $99 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | Fall 2026 | $119 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – Orlando (MCO) | Fall 2026 | $119 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – Tampa (TPA) | Fall 2026 | $119 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – Fort Myers (RSW) | Fall 2026 | $119 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – San Diego (SAN) | Fall 2026 | $129 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – Seattle (SEA) | Fall 2026 | $139 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – Portland (PDX) | Fall 2026 | $139 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – Sacramento (SMF) | Fall 2026 | $139 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – San Francisco (SFO) | Fall 2026 | $139 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – Los Angeles (LAX) | Fall 2026 | $139 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – San Jose (SJC) | Fall 2026 | $139 | |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – Ontario (ONT) | Fall 2026 | $139 |
Prices shown are base fares before taxes and fees. Actual totals run about $15–$30 higher depending on the route.
Why This Matters Right Now
Southwest has been quiet on new routes for the last two years. This 25-route blast changes the game for anyone flying out of Las Vegas, Austin, or the Upper Midwest. The Las Vegas international routes are the biggest story. Before this, if you wanted to fly Southwest from Vegas to Mexico, you had to connect through Houston or Phoenix. Now it’s direct.
The Minneapolis expansion is also huge. MSP was already a focus city for Sun Country and Delta, but Southwest is dropping 14 new routes from there, including St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. That’s a new destination for the airline entirely.
Route-by-Route Breakdown: Who Should Book What
Austin – San José, Costa Rica
- Pros: First nonstop ever on this route. Saves you 3+ hours vs. connecting. Costa Rica entry is easy for U.S. passport holders.
- Cons: Only 4x weekly at launch. Fares will spike after the first month.
- Best for: Anyone in Central Texas who wants a direct beach/rainforest trip. Also great for digital nomads based in Austin.
Las Vegas – Cancún, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta
- Pros: You can fly from the Strip to the beach in 3–4 hours. Southwest includes two free checked bags, which matters for snorkel gear or golf clubs.
- Cons: No lie-flat seats. These are 737s, so bring your own entertainment.
- Best for: Vegas locals, convention travelers wanting a quick post-work getaway, and anyone who hates connecting through Dallas.
Minneapolis – St. Thomas
- Pros: Only nonstop option from MSP to the Caribbean. Two free bags means you can bring beach gear without paying $70 each way.
- Cons: $199 base fare is higher than some connecting options on other airlines.
- Best for: Minnesota families who want a direct route to the islands. Also great for divers heading to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Greenville-Spartanburg – Knoxville
- Pros: $49 base fare. 45-minute flight. Perfect for college visits (UT Knoxville, Furman, Clemson).
- Cons: Only 2x daily. No in-flight Wi-Fi on this regional route yet.
- Best for: Anyone doing the Appalachian road trip without the drive.
Minneapolis – Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas
- Pros: All under $99 base. Denver route opens up Rocky Mountain skiing for MSP skiers.
- Cons: Denver and Phoenix are already well-served by Frontier and Sun Country.
- Best for: MSP residents who want a cheap weekend escape. Denver route is ideal for winter sports.
Booking Tips: How to Get the Lowest Fare
Southwest doesn’t publish fare sales in advance. They drop them when a new route goes on sale, usually at 6:00 AM Central Time on launch day. Here’s your playbook.
1. Set an alert. Go to Southwest’s “Low Fare Calendar” and set a price alert for your target route. Do this at least 2 weeks before the launch date. You’ll get an email the minute fares drop.
2. Book within 72 hours. The cheapest fares—$49 to $99—typically vanish within 3 days. After that, prices climb to $129–$199.
3. Use Southwest points if you have them. Southwest points are worth about 1.4 cents each. A $99 fare costs roughly 7,000 points. If you have a Southwest credit card, check your points balance before booking.
4. Book one-way, not round-trip. Southwest lets you cancel for free up to 10 minutes before departure. If you book two one-way tickets, you can cancel one leg without losing the other. This is huge for flexible travelers.
5. Check the “Wanna Get Away” fare first. That’s Southwest’s basic economy. It includes two free checked bags, so you don’t need to upgrade unless you want early boarding.
6. Avoid peak dates. Spring break (March–April) and Christmas will have higher fares. If you can fly Tuesday or Wednesday, you’ll save 30–40%.
What’s Not Included: What You Should Know
These new routes are all on Southwest’s 737 fleet. That means:
- No premium economy or first class
- No seat assignments (you board by group number)
- Two free checked bags (yes, really)
- Free same-day standby
- No change fees (ever)
If you’re used to Delta or United’s premium cabins, you’ll be fine in Southwest’s “Economy Plus” seats (rows 1–3 and exit rows have extra legroom). But don’t expect a lie-flat bed.
The Competition: How Southwest Stacks Up
On these 25 routes, Southwest’s main competitors are:
- Delta (MSP routes): Delta has more frequencies and first class, but higher fares.
- American (AUS–SJO): American flies this route but with a connection in Miami. Southwest’s nonstop beats it on time.
- Frontier (LAS–Mexico): Frontier has similar prices but charges for carry-ons. Southwest includes two bags free.
- Sun Country (MSP–beach destinations): Sun Country is cheaper on base fares but charges for bags and seat selection.
For most travelers, Southwest wins on value because of the free bags and no change fees. If you’re a road warrior who needs lounge access and lie-flat seats, stick with Delta or American.
Photo by Ross Parmly on Unsplash
FAQ: Real Questions Travelers Are Asking
Q: When exactly can I book these new routes? A: Most routes go on sale 6–8 weeks before launch. The Austin–San José route (March 13, 2026) should be bookable by late January 2026. The Las Vegas international routes (June 2026) will likely go on sale in April 2026. Set a price alert on Southwest’s site.
Q: Are these routes seasonal or year-round? A: Most are year-round. The exceptions are the Minneapolis–St. Thomas route (likely seasonal, running November through April) and some MSP–West Coast routes that may scale back in winter. Check the schedule when you book.
Q: Does Southwest fly to Cancún from any other cities? A: Yes. Southwest already flies to Cancún from Austin, Baltimore, Chicago Midway, Denver, Houston Hobby, and Nashville. Las Vegas is a new addition. If you’re on the West Coast, LAS–CUN is now your best option.
Q: Can I use Rapid Rewards points on these new routes? A: Yes. Points work the same way on new routes as on existing ones. A $99 fare costs about 7,000 points. A $199 fare costs about 14,000 points. You can also combine points and cash.
Q: What’s the best credit card for earning Southwest points? A: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card gives you 3x points on Southwest purchases and 2x on dining and internet. It also gives you 7,500 bonus points each year on your card anniversary. If you don’t want an annual fee, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is a solid alternative. Both cards let you earn a Companion Pass after 125,000 points in a calendar year.
Q: Will Southwest add more routes later in 2026? A: Possibly. Southwest typically announces new routes in March and September. The 25 routes in this article are confirmed through Spring 2027. If demand is high, they may add frequencies or new city pairs.
Final Advice: Book Early, Pack Light, Go Direct
The best deal on these 25 new routes is the one you book in the first week. After that, prices settle into Southwest’s normal fare structure, which is still competitive but not the $49 shocker you’ll see at launch.
If you’re flying out of Minneapolis, the St. Thomas route is a game-changer for Caribbean travel. If you’re in Vegas, you finally have direct beach access. And if you’re in Austin, you can now fly straight to Costa Rica without burning a full day in airports.
Set your alerts. Check your points. And book the second you see a fare under $100.
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Last updated: 2026-07-28