Summary
- Southwest Airlines announces new routes from Kansas City and Long Beach.
- Service enhancements at Denver hub and new international destinations.
- Southwest focuses on technological upgrades for improved passenger experience.
Southwest Airlines is adding four new routes to its fall schedule in Kansas City, Missouri, and Long Beach, California, while also boosting its service at its busy hub in Denver.
Starting October 7, Southwest will launch seasonal service on Saturdays between Kansas City and both Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Los Cabos, Mexico. Moreover, these new routes, according to the airline, will complement Southwest’s current service between Kansas City and Cancun, which will operate daily starting October 5.
Furthermore, the new routes come on the heels of the Kansas City International Airport opening its first new terminal in 50 years, which features a large international arrivals area. This modern development aims to enhance the travel experience.
“We are grateful for Southwest’s continued growth in Kansas City and for easier access to some of our most requested leisure destinations,” Pat Klein, the director of Kansas City’s Aviation Department, said in a statement. Travelers will love the convenience of clearing customs at their home airport, therefore making travel to popular destinations more accessible.
In addition to Kansas City, Southwest will introduce new flights on Saturdays and Sundays from Long Beach, CA, to Boise, ID, and Portland, OR, also on October 7. The carrier has just begun flying nonstop daily service between Long Beach and Kansas City, which opens up more options for travelers.
In Denver, Southwest will add seven more flights to its October schedule. Additionally, the airline is “preparing to begin nonstop service on Saturdays between Denver and San Jose, Costa Rica,” which launches this weekend, consequently expanding their international service offerings.
This route expansion follows a challenging period when Southwest canceled thousands of flights over the holiday season, leaving numerous passengers stranded. As a result, government hearings took place regarding these issues. To address such challenges, Southwest this week partnered with Amazon to support ticket bookings through digital platforms and optimize flight operations.
To enhance the travel experience, the carrier is also working to install modern amenities on its fleet, including USB A and USB C power ports at every seat, larger overhead bins, and an upgraded onboard Wi-Fi system. In the process, they are changing their internet pricing structure to provide better connectivity for their passengers.
