Southwest Airlines Launches 8 New International Routes From 2 Cities: See List Now

Published Oct 22, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT Journalist – Aaron is an aviation and travel journalist with 14 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. His background spans airport operations, aviation infrastructure, and travel consulting, having worked with global organizations across New Zealand, Europe, and North America. Combining industry expertise with firsthand travel experience across more than 52 countries and five continents, Aaron covers airlines, airports, aviation policy, and the wider travel sector. He is based in Canterbury, New Zealand. His work has been published in Simple Flying and featured by MSN, SAM CHUI Aviation & Travel, EIN News, Pakistan Defence, and Climate Depot. Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is set to launch 11 new international routes between November 2026 and June 2027, including eight from Nashville and Austin. Surprisingly, none of the 11 new routes are from the airline's top three busiest international hubs (Houston, Orlando, and Baltimore). Instead, it is growing its network from other smaller hub airports. While many debate whether Southwest is a low-cost carrier or a hybrid airline, it operates the largest fleet of Boeing 737s in the world, and more recently has transitioned away from the traditions of a budget carrier by now providing assigned seating, basic economy fares, and a soon-to-be-launched lounge network. Four New Southwest Airlines International Routes From Austin Credit: Claud_Be | Shutterstock Southwest's largest region for international growth is from Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). The airline is already the largest operator at the airport by number of passengers served, demanding more than 40% of all flight operations. The carrier will launch four new routes to destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean as the airline starts flying to two destinations in Costa Rica, and one in the Bahamas and Dominican Republic. Loading map… Drag to explore Southwest will debut on Austin to San Jose (SJO) in March, followed by three new route launches in June, where services to Liberia (LIR), Punta Cana (PUJ), and Nassau (NAS) will commence. From To Start Month Competition Austin (AUS) San Jose (SJO) March 2027 Southwest will be the only operator on this route Austin (AUS) Liberia (LIR) June 2027 Southwest will be the only operator on this route Austin (AUS) Punta Cana (PUJ) June 2027 Southwest will be the only operator on this route Austin (AUS) Nassau (NAS) June 2027 Southwest will be the only operator on this route Nashville To Gain Four New Southwest International Routes Credit: Artem Onoprienko | Shutterstock Southwest is also doubling down on its network from Nashville International Airport (BNA). The airline will begin four new international services from the home of country music beginning in February, as the carrier adds Costa Rica, Aruba, the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos to its Nashville network. All of these new services are set to debut in the new year, with the first service to Liberia launching in February. This will be followed by nonstop flights to Aruba (AUA) in March, and Nassau and Providenciales (PLS) in June. From To Start Month Competition Nashville (BNA) Liberia (LIR) February 2027 Southwest will be the only operator on this route Nashville (BNA) Aruba (AUA) March 2027 Southwest will be the only operator on this route Nashville (BNA) Nassau (NAS) June 2027 Southwest will be the only operator on this route Nashville (BNA) Providenciales (PLS) June 2027 Southwest will be the only operator on this route Southwest has been rapidly expanding at Nashville as the city experiences strong local growth and a growing tourism market. The Dallas-based carrier opened its first crew base at the airport in 2024. Elsewhere, These Cities Gain One International Route Each Credit: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock Rounding out the list are three international routes from three different US airports. In November this year, Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) will gain a new international link to Puerto Vallarta (PVR). The airline will serve the route year-round, and it will become Puerto Vallarta's seventh year-round destination served by Southwest. Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic will gain nonstop flights from both Columbus (CMH) and Pittsburgh (PIT) next year. You can read the full details of each route launch in the table below: From To Start Month Competition Las Vegas (LAS) Puerto Vallarta (PVR) November 2026 Southwest will be the only operator on this route Columbus (CMH) Punta Cana (PUJ) March 2027 Southwest will be the only operator on this route Pittsburgh (PIT) Punta Cana (PUJ) June 2027 Southwest will be the only operator on this route The growth from all of these destinations is unique in that they are not from the airline's major international hubs. The top ten busiest airports by Southwest international flights are in the order of Houston (HOU), Orlando (MCO), Baltimore (BWI), Phoenix (PHX), Austin (AUS), Denver (DEN), Chicago Midway (MDW), Nashville (BNA), St. Louis (STL), Santa Ana (SNA).