Southwest Airlines is making bold moves in its latest network realignment for 2025 and 2026, expanding service with three new routes connecting Nashville, Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., and El Paso, while simultaneously trimming its footprint by permanently canceling five underperforming routes. The strategic shift underscores the Dallas-based carrier’s focus on strengthening high-demand markets and streamlining operations, with new holiday-season flights and seasonal resumptions balanced by a notable pullback in cities like Burbank, Long Beach, and Chicago O’Hare.

Southwest Airlines is sharpening its strategic focus for 2025 and beyond with a substantial network update that includes the addition of new routes, the return of key seasonal markets, and the permanent elimination of select underperforming services. As the Dallas-based carrier officially extends its published flight schedule into early 2026, its latest moves reveal both expansion into growing hubs and a leaner, more efficient operational blueprint.

Nashville Leads as Key Growth Hub

At the center of this expansion lies Nashville International Airport (BNA), one of the fastest-growing airports in Southwest’s network. The airline has announced two brand-new nonstop routes from Nashville, both launching during the highly trafficked Thanksgiving holiday season: service to Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington, D.C., and to El Paso International Airport (ELP) in Texas.

While Southwest will face stiff competition from United Airlines on the BNA–IAD route, the new Nashville–El Paso flight gives Southwest a temporary monopoly for travelers heading between the two cities. Both routes are set to debut as seasonal offerings during the Thanksgiving window, with a strong possibility of becoming permanent fixtures depending on passenger demand.

These additions underscore Nashville’s growing importance within Southwest’s strategic footprint. Already one of its top connecting hubs, BNA is poised to handle even more volume as the airline adjusts its network to match passenger trends and profitability goals.

Los Angeles to Oklahoma City Makes a Comeback

Adding to the wave of changes, Southwest will resume service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Oklahoma City (OKC)—a route that hasn’t been operated since January 2018. Cirium schedule data confirms that this route will return in seasonal form, catering primarily to winter travelers seeking connections between Southern California and the Southern Plains.

This revival signals Southwest’s renewed interest in connecting second-tier cities with major West Coast metros, particularly as business and leisure travel normalize post-pandemic.

Seasonal Returns of Dormant Routes

In addition to these new launches, Southwest is bringing back several previously suspended routes that had once served key domestic corridors. Notable among them:

• San Diego (SAN) to Omaha (OMA) – last operated in May 2020
• Chicago Midway (MDW) to Tampa (TPA) – last operated in June 2024

These seasonal resumptions allow Southwest to test the viability of these once-popular routes while leveraging peak travel seasons to maximize profitability.

Five Route Exits Mark Strategic Pullback

While the additions are making headlines, perhaps the most impactful part of this network realignment lies in the permanent removal of five routes. Southwest has confirmed that the following city pairs will no longer be part of its route map starting in November:

• Baltimore (BWI) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
• Burbank (BUR) to New Orleans (MSY)
• Burbank (BUR) to San Antonio (SAT)
• Long Beach (LGB) to El Paso (ELP)
• Long Beach (LGB) to St. Louis (STL)

The withdrawal from Burbank and Long Beach marks a notable contraction in the California market, suggesting the airline is redirecting resources to more competitive and lucrative routes. The discontinuation of Baltimore to Chicago O’Hare further solidifies the dominance of United and American on that corridor.

According to airline officials, these five markets failed to meet load factor expectations and profitability thresholds. Unlike seasonal cuts, these routes are not expected to return in future schedules.

Thirteen Seasonal Route Cuts Also Announced

Alongside the permanent changes, Southwest has earmarked 13 additional routes for temporary suspension throughout the winter. These seasonal suspensions are intended to optimize aircraft usage during the off-peak travel months. While the airline has not yet disclosed the full list, sources indicate that most will return in spring or summer 2026 as part of Southwest’s rotating seasonal offerings.

Red-Eye Strategy Adjusted for Winter 2025

In a move that reflects a more conservative approach to red-eye operations, Southwest will cut its number of daily overnight flights from 27 to 23 between October and November 2025. This seasonal adjustment affects several major transcontinental routes, including:

• San Jose (SJC) to Baltimore (BWI) – temporarily suspended
• Sacramento (SMF) to Baltimore (BWI) – retimed to daytime
• Los Angeles (LAX) to Houston (HOU) – retimed
• Phoenix (PHX) to Atlanta (ATL) – retimed

Rather than reducing frequency, most of these markets will maintain their existing flight counts but shift their departure times to daylight hours. San Jose to Baltimore is the only red-eye route being temporarily paused for the season.

This refinement highlights Southwest’s effort to better match flight schedules with travel demand and crew availability, while also preserving key markets.

Seven Rotating Schedules Planned for November 2025

Flexibility will be key in November 2025 as Southwest introduces seven rotating flight schedules. This rotation model is designed to dynamically align with fluctuating travel patterns during holiday peaks and weekday/weekend variances.

Passengers booking travel during this time should expect to see flight time changes depending on the specific day of the week or week of the month. These variations are part of a broader effort to maximize load factors while trimming operational excess.

This approach is especially important given the high-stakes environment Southwest now faces with pressure from Elliott Investment Management, the activist investor group demanding profitability improvements across the board.

Balancing Growth with Restraint

Despite all the network changes, Southwest’s core operating philosophy remains intact. The airline is sticking with its hallmark differentiators: two free checked bags, open seating, no change fees, and no basic economy fares. It’s a model that has worked for decades, and while the network is evolving, the experience passengers associate with Southwest is staying put.

Still, the company is facing mounting pressure to compete more aggressively in a changing airline landscape. By pruning unprofitable routes and expanding into more promising markets like Nashville, San Diego, and Sacramento, Southwest aims to drive long-term sustainability while satisfying investor demands.

Southwest Airlines expands with new routes to Nashville, Dulles, and El Paso while cutting five underperforming routes in a strategic 2025–2026 network realignment.

Looking Ahead to 2026

With this latest update, Southwest Airlines has firmly positioned itself for strategic growth in 2026. The new route additions and realignments represent a more nimble and calculated approach to network planning—one that prioritizes flexibility, efficiency, and responsiveness to demand trends.

Whether travelers are booking Thanksgiving trips from Nashville, heading back to Los Angeles for a winter escape, or navigating new red-eye options, they’ll find a network that’s evolving—but still unmistakably Southwest.

As additional routes and schedule adjustments are expected in the coming months, passengers should monitor the airline’s booking platform for the most current flight availability and times.

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