Southwest Airlines Introduces 12 Routes — And Some May Look Familiar

Southwest Airlines has announced the introduction of 12 routes, and some of them may look familiar to longtime patrons.

Travel + Leisure reports that the discount airline is bringing back some routes that include Eugene Airport (EUG) to San Diego International Airport (SAN), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Will Rogers International Airport (OKC) in Oklahoma City, Omaha Airport (OMA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Tampa International Airport (TPA).

In addition, Nashville International Airport (BNA) is expanding its Southwest Airlines routes. It will also launch new routes to Albany International Airport (ALB), Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN), Memphis International Airport (MEM), and Tulsa International Airport (TUL) next month, as well as re-launching previous routes to Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) and Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) in Providence, Rhode Island.

Finally, over the Thanksgiving season, Southwest will add flights from Nashville International Airport (BNA) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and El Paso International Airport (ELP).

Southwest Airlines Has Been Undergoing Some Major Changes

In addition to adding new routes and returning old familiar routes, Southwest Airlines has undergone significant operational changes. Recently, the discount airline announced that it was getting rid of its free checked bag policy.

Beginning May 28, Southwest will start charging passengers for their first and second checked bags. Members of the carrier’s Rapid Rewards A-list club and those flying on a business price will be immune from the new fees.

“We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future Customer needs, attract new Customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect,” Southwest President and CEO Bob Jordan stated in a Mar. 11 press release.

“We will do all this while remaining focused on what’s made us strong — our People and the authentic, friendly, and award-winning Customer Service only they can provide,” he added.

The elimination of the free checked bags policy for regular prices marks a significant shift for Southwest Airlines, which has relied heavily on its “bags fly free” advertising to the extent of trademarking the phrase.