Southwest Airlines is already the top airline in Austin, Texas, but now it’s doubling down.
The airline on Thursday announced three new or returning routes it will launch from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) later this fall.
These flights include direct flights to California wine country as well as multiple cities in Tennessee.
Southwest Airlines’ expansion into the Texas capital is part of a larger seven-route route announced Thursday as the airline extends its booking schedule into October.
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The schedule includes new routes to Costa Rica, New England and Southwest Texas.
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Southwest Airlines 7 new routes and return routes
Here’s the full list of flights launching in early October:
| route | notes | A new route, or a return to a previously flown route? |
|---|---|---|
|
Australia to Memphis International Airport (MEM)
|
Open all year round |
return |
|
AUS to Charles Schultz-Sonoma County Airport (STS), California
|
Saturday, seasonal |
new |
|
AUS to McGee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, TN
|
Saturday, seasonal |
new |
|
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica
|
Daily, year-round |
new |
|
Nashville International Airport (BNA) to Reno Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
|
Open all year round |
new |
|
BNA to El Paso International Airport (ELP)
|
Open all year round |
return |
|
BNA to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT)
|
Open all year round |
return |
Southwest’s new flight from Las Vegas to San Jose, Costa Rica will be notable for its timing: The route will be the airline’s first international red-eye flight – departing late at night and landing in Central America the next morning.
Keep in mind that Southwest didn’t operate any overnight flights until a year ago.
Andaz Costa Rica reviews: A hillside sanctuary with tons of activities, bookable with Hyatt points
AUS, LAS, BNA, SAN largest flight schedule ever
Southwest plans to operate its largest-ever schedule at four major airports where much of its growth over the past few years has been concentrated: Australia, Los Angeles, BNA and San Diego International Airport (SAN) – the latter of which did not launch any new routes on Thursday but has launched some new Southwest flights due this summer.
As for Qantas, Southwest remains the city’s dominant airline, despite recent increased competition from Delta Air Lines, which has made the airport a primary (non-hub) focal point.
Later this spring, Southwest Airlines plans to launch its first flights to Alaska. In a rather surprising announcement on Thursday, the airline said these flights from Denver International Airport (DEN) and LAS will be seasonal flights and will not operate during the winter.
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