Summary of Southwest Airlines’ New Flight Schedule
- New nonstop flights from Washington D.C. to Phoenix launching April 9, 2024.
- Resumption of seasonal routes starting April 13, 2024.
- Enhanced flight schedule to accommodate travel demands post-pandemic.
Southwest Airlines will add new flights between Washington D.C. and Phoenix next year and resume several other seasonal routes as the airline extended its flight schedule into June 2024.
The carrier will add new nonstop service between Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C. and Phoenix on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, according to Southwest. The flight will first launch on April 9, 2024.
In addition, Southwest will resume several previously-operated seasonal flights starting on April 13, 2024. As part of this schedule, Southwest will fly between Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport and Charlotte on weekends. Furthermore, it will operate Sunday-only service between Dallas and Portland, OR, as well as between Atlanta and Oakland, CA.
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“Lucky you!… you’re one of the first to know we just extended our published flight schedules through June 3, 2024,” the airline wrote in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Get to planning your travels while the options are good!”
The new flights are currently listed on Southwest’s website.
The expanded flight schedule comes as Southwest aims to make it easier to score one of the carrier’s coveted Companion Passes. Travelers who fly through Nov. 30 will earn double Companion Pass qualifying points on their flights. In addition, business travelers who utilize the airline’s business channels will earn triple qualifying points. Moreover, travelers with a Rapid Rewards credit card from Chase will also earn double Companion Pass qualifying points for each $1 spent through Nov. 30.
This expansion aligns with Southwest’s recent move to allow all passengers to fly same-day standby for free, bringing the airline in line with competitive offerings from other major airlines in the United States.
Southwest, which is in the process of upgrading its onboard experience (including installing USB A and USB C power ports at every seat and offering better Wi-Fi connections), will also provide free inflight Wi-Fi for customers who choose a “Business Select” fare.
However, it is noteworthy that the airline did significantly reduce midweek flying capacity for next year. This adjustment reflects a shift in the type of traveler flying post-pandemic, resulting in fewer flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
