DALLAS — Editor's Note | This article was originally published in the Dallas Business Journal here
Southwest Airlines Co. has settled on a flight schedule into early 2025 and it comes with some routine adjustments, like a few new nonstop international routes and increased service around major sporting events.
And, for the first time ever, its schedule includes redeye flights that depart late at night and land the next day.
The Dallas-based airline said Aug. 22 that it will add nonstop international service between Nashville and both Punta Cana and Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos in Mexico and between Sacramento, California and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, beginning March 8, subject to government approvals.
Southwest (NYSE: LUV) also revealed additional redeye flights that will begin departing from Denver, San Diego and Sacramento on March 6.
Those will follow the airline's initial redeye flights, launching Feb. 13 from Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Phoenix, which were previously announced.
The launch of redeye flights was one of many changes Southwest announced in July, along with the end of free-for-all seating and the introduction of premium seats. The airline has framed the changes as pursuing new sources of revenue and responding to changing customer preferences. Its share price has fallen about 28% in the past two years as a series of challenges have hurt profits, a situation that has prompted an activist investor to push for leadership changes.
Southwest also detailed additional flights around major fall football matchups, with more service on Nov. 7 and Nov. 11 between Austin and Tampa, Florida. The University of Texas Longhorns are hosting the University of Florida Gators on Nov. 9.
Meanwhile, American Airlines Group Inc. had announced in May an expanded winter schedule. The Fort Worth-based airline said it will offer 11% more departures and 10% more seats compared with winter 2023. American (Nasdaq: AAL) added a new destination and seven new routes to Latin America and the Caribbean.
