Southwest has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to add it’s first Central American destination on March 7, 2015 – San Jose, Costa Rica with a round trip between BWI and SJO. Tickets to SJO will be on sale as soon they gain approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Costa Rica will be Southwest’s 6th near-international country and the first new destination after the AirTran integration is completed by the end of 2014. Southwest also serves:

• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (subject to foreign government approval)
• Mexico City (begins November 2, 2014)
• Aruba
• The Bahamas
• Jamaica
• Cancun and San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos, Mexico

“We’re ready to add the adventure and beauty of Costa Rica to a growing horizon of international possibility available to the more than 100 million Customers who fly with us each year,†said Southwest Airlines Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly. “Our People and policies bring unique value to the travel experience, and we have big plans to extend that value to international destinations where our Customers want to go. Our substantial presence in Baltimore/Washington is a natural place to do that by bringing nonstop access to new, international markets.â€

Bottom Line:

Look out Canada, the Caribbean, and Central and South America … Southwest Airlines has rumored that there is a long ‘short list’ of at least 50 international destinations that would fit into it’s route network. With announcements like this, you can bet on more Southwest Airlines international destinations will be added in the coming months and years.