Southwest Airlines started selling its summer 2015 schedule today for travel between June 6 and August 7, 2015. Southwest will be operating at least 3,800 flights a day – about 150 more weekday departures than the combined Southwest and AirTran network from the summer 2014. They will be adding service in 83 markets, and decreasing service in 41 markets – primarily ending seasonal service in markets such as Ft. Myers. 
Southwest says it will be able to add this service by adding three additional 737-800 series aircraft, starting the operational day a earlier and ending it a later, and by the decreasing the block time of many flights due to lesser headwinds in the summer months.
Some of the permanent new markets for summer 2015 are:
- Austin-Orange County
- Austin-St. Louis
- Boston Logan-Indianapolis
- Indianapolis-Los Angeles
- Los Angeles-Portland, OR
- Nashville-Oakland
- Nashville-Seattle Tacoma
- New Orleans-Oakland
- Puerto Vallarta-Orange County
- Spokane-Chicago Midway
Southwest is also focusing on its international routes – operating as many as 78 daily international departures during the peak summer season including new service to Southwest’s fourth city in Mexico – Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta service begins on June 6 with one daily round trip from Orange County. Seasonal service will also be offered non-stop between Baltimore and San Jose del Cabo, starting with Saturday only service.
Bottom Line:
I wouldn’t be surprised if Southwest Airlines increases capacity beyond what was announced for summer 2015. Southwest is always rumored to be looking for deals on used 737-700 series aircraft, and they have been slowing down the retirement of some of their 737-300 and 737-500 series aircraft, all which help expand their non-stop service. Do you think Southwest is missing out on any non-stop opportunities?
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