Southwest Airlines announced its’ plans to offer new service between Fort Lauderdale and Grand Cayman starting June 4, 2016. The airline plans to add several new domestic routes across the country including intra-Florida service between Orlando-Ft Lauderdale, as well as new nonstop service from New York (LGA) to Tampa. To kick things off, they’ll be offering introductory fares start at $49 each-way on select routes.

Per Southwest Airlines,

Southwest is investing heavily throughout Florida, growing its domestic and international reach to meet the demands of its Customers. Today, in cooperation with Broward County, Florida, Southwest is beginning a six-month countdown to the opening of a new international concourse, known as Concourse A, at Terminal 1 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport by significantly increasing its international flight schedule for South Florida to a total of eight international nonstop destinations.

The carrier today also filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to serve Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman daily from Fort Lauderdale beginning June 4, 2017, provided the service receives requisite governmental approvals. On the same date, the carrier expects to begin operations from the new five gate international concourse, offering new daily international nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale to Montego Bay, Belize, and Cancun, alongside existing service to three cities in Cuba–Havana, Varadero, and Santa Clara–as well as Nassau, The Bahamas.

Southwest will also add daily, intra-Florida service nonstop between Fort Lauderdale and Orlando as well as new daily nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Washington D.C. (Dulles), daily service between Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia, twice daily service between Tampa and New York LaGuardia, and weekend nonstop service between Pensacola and Denver.

Bottom Line

I’m thrilled to see that Southwest is launching new non-stop service from Fort Lauderdale as well expending their domestic network as well. Grand Cayman is a great new destination for Southwest, and I look forward for more Carribbean designations in the future.

What are your thoughts on this latest route from Southwest?