Southwest Unveils Its Largest Summer Schedule for 2027
Southwest Airlines is expanding its Summer 2027 schedule to a record 4,498 peak-day flights, adding or restoring 20 seasonal routes across Austin, Nashville, San Diego, Las Vegas, Orlando, Bozeman, and Anchorage. The schedule runs from June 3 through August 2, 2027, with most of the growth concentrated in three major markets: Austin, Nashville, and San Diego.
The expansion is notable not only for the number of routes, but also for the mix. Southwest is adding new international leisure links, bringing back popular seasonal flights, and increasing frequencies on several established routes. For travelers planning summer vacations, the changes could create more nonstop options to beach destinations, mountain towns, and major U.S. cities.
Here is a closer look at Southwest’s 2027 summer expansion, including the complete list of new and returning routes, schedule details, and what travelers should know before booking.
Related: Southwest International Destinations: 2026 Guide
Southwest Summer 2027 at a Glance
Southwest’s Summer 2027 schedule represents its largest summer operation to date, with up to 4,498 trips on peak days. The schedule is divided into five different daily schedules covering the main summer period, while a separate reduced schedule for July 4 is expected to be published later.
| Detail | Summer 2027 |
| Schedule period | June 3–August 2, 2027 |
| Peak-day flights | Up to 4,498 |
| New/returning seasonal routes highlighted | 20 |
| Main growth markets | Austin, Nashville, San Diego |
| Austin peak operation | Up to 143 daily departures |
| Nashville peak operation | Up to 220 daily trips |
| San Diego peak operation | Up to 150 daily trips |
| Las Vegas peak operation | Up to 278 daily trips |
| Orlando peak operation | Up to 173 daily trips |
The 20 highlighted routes should not be confused with every schedule adjustment Southwest is making for summer. The airline is also increasing frequencies on existing routes, meaning the overall network change is larger than the route count alone suggests.
What Are the 20 New and Returning Southwest Routes?
The 20 highlighted routes include 11 additions or returns in Austin, Nashville, and San Diego, plus three returns elsewhere, plus additional seasonal changes included in the announcement. The individual markets break down as follows.
Austin: 7 Seasonal Routes
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is one of the biggest beneficiaries of Southwest’s 2027 expansion. The airline plans to operate as many as 143 daily departures from Austin during the summer and will introduce seven seasonal routes, five of which are new for the Austin market in this schedule.
| Austin route | Type |
| Austin–Liberia, Costa Rica | New seasonal international |
| Austin–Nassau, Bahamas | New seasonal international |
| Austin–Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | New seasonal international |
| Austin–Portland, Oregon | Returning seasonal |
| Austin–Sarasota, Florida | Seasonal |
| Austin–Savannah, Georgia | New seasonal |
| Austin–Bozeman, Montana | New seasonal |
The three international routes are particularly significant for Austin travelers. Southwest is scheduled to operate weekend service to Liberia, Nassau, and Punta Cana, beginning in June 2027. Austin airport officials describe the three destinations as new nonstop international connections.
The routes are aimed heavily at leisure travelers. Liberia provides access to Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region, while Nassau and Punta Cana are established Caribbean vacation markets.
Southwest will also restore daily seasonal service between Austin and Portland. Weekend service to Savannah and Sarasota, plus Saturday-only service to Bozeman, add more domestic options during the peak travel period.
Travelers should pay close attention to frequency because not all seven routes operate daily. For example, the newly announced Austin international services are weekend-focused rather than daily summer shuttles.
Nashville: 5 Seasonal Routes
Nashville International Airport is another major focus of the expansion. Southwest expects to operate up to 220 daily trips from Nashville during Summer 2027, as many as 20 more than the previous summer.
The five highlighted seasonal routes are:
| Nashville route | Status |
| Nashville–Boise, Idaho | New |
| Nashville–Nassau, Bahamas | New |
| Nashville–Providenciales, Turks and Caicos | New |
| Nashville–Bozeman, Montana | Returning |
| Nashville–Portland, Oregon | Returning |
The three new destinations give Nashville travelers more options for both outdoor and beach-oriented trips. Boise provides access to Idaho and the surrounding Pacific Northwest, while Nassau and Providenciales add Caribbean vacation choices.
Bozeman is particularly relevant for travelers heading toward Montana’s mountain and national-park regions. Portland, meanwhile, returns as a seasonal Pacific Northwest option.
Nashville growth follows Southwest’s establishment of a crew base there in 2024, giving the airline a stronger operational foundation to increase its schedule from the Tennessee airport.
San Diego Adds New Service and More Frequency
San Diego is Southwest’s largest California market, and the airline plans to reach up to 150 trips per day during Summer 2027. The changes include both new seasonal service and more frequent flights on existing routes.
San Diego’s 5 Seasonal Route Changes
| San Diego route | Status |
| San Diego–Oklahoma City | New seasonal |
| San Diego–Bozeman | Returning seasonal |
| San Diego–Columbus, Ohio | Returning seasonal |
| San Diego–Milwaukee | Returning seasonal |
| San Diego–Pittsburgh | Returning seasonal |
The standout addition is Sunday service between San Diego and Oklahoma City. The other four routes are seasonal services returning for the summer.
Southwest is also increasing year-round frequencies on important San Diego routes. The airline plans to operate as many as six flights on peak days between San Diego and Austin and three weekday flights between San Diego and Seattle.
For travelers, that distinction matters. A route can be “expanded” without being a brand-new city pair. In San Diego, some of the most meaningful changes involve additional frequency, which can provide more convenient departure times even when the destination itself is already served.
Other Southwest Markets Getting More Summer Service
The 20-route announcement extends beyond Austin, Nashville, and San Diego. Southwest is also adding or restoring seasonal flying in several other markets.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is scheduled to reach up to 278 daily trips, an increase of as many as 12 flights compared with the previous year. Southwest will also bring back daily seasonal service between Las Vegas and Anchorage in June 2027.
That seasonal route is particularly useful for travelers looking to connect two major leisure markets during the summer: Las Vegas and Alaska.
Orlando
Southwest plans to operate as many as 173 daily trips from Orlando, up 17 from the previous summer. Orlando remains one of the airline’s most important leisure markets, making the additional capacity significant for travelers visiting Central Florida.
Bozeman
Bozeman, Montana, receives another boost through returning seasonal connections to both Chicago Midway and Dallas. These routes complement the new and returning Bozeman service from Austin, Nashville, and San Diego.
For summer travelers, Bozeman can function as an important gateway to southwest Montana and nearby outdoor destinations. Because much of this flying is seasonal, travelers interested in Montana should confirm the exact operating dates before booking hotels or activities.
Why Is Southwest Expanding So Much for Summer 2027?
The scale of the schedule reflects Southwest’s broader effort to strengthen some of its largest and fastest-growing markets.
Austin, Nashville, and San Diego are particularly important in this announcement because Southwest is combining new routes with additional frequencies rather than relying solely on isolated city-pair launches.
That strategy gives the airline two ways to grow:
- Create new nonstop markets where travelers previously had fewer options.
- Add capacity to existing routes where demand already supports more flights.
Austin is a good example. A traveler who wants a summer trip to Costa Rica, the Bahamas, or the Dominican Republic gets a new nonstop option, while someone traveling domestically can benefit from additional seasonal connections to Portland, Savannah, Sarasota, or Bozeman.
Nashville follows a similar model, adding new destinations while restoring seasonal routes that have already shown demand.
San Diego takes the frequency approach even further, pairing one new seasonal route with more flights on established Austin and Seattle services.
What Are the Most Interesting New International Routes?
Three of the most notable additions are the new Austin international routes:
- Austin–Liberia, Costa Rica
- Austin–Nassau, Bahamas
- Austin–Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
According to Austin airport information, the three routes are scheduled to begin in June 2027 and provide new nonstop connections from Austin to those destinations. The international services are planned as weekend operations during the summer period.
These routes could be especially useful for travelers who prefer nonstop flights and have flexibility around weekend departures.
For example, a traveler planning a long weekend in Nassau does not necessarily need to build an itinerary around a connecting hub. The new Austin service could provide a direct alternative, subject to the published schedule and seat availability.
Still check the schedule carefully before booking accommodations, because seasonal international flights may operate on specific days rather than every day.
When Does Southwest’s Summer 2027 Schedule Operate?
Southwest’s main Summer 2027 schedule runs from June 3 through August 2, 2027. The airline will use five distinct daily schedules during that period, while a special reduced July 4 schedule is expected to be published separately.
That date range is important because “summer 2027” does not mean every route will operate continuously throughout the entire season.
Some routes have more specific operating patterns. For instance, Austin’s new Liberia, Nassau, and Punta Cana services are weekend-oriented. Other routes run daily seasonally, while some operate only on Saturdays or Sundays.
Travelers should check the specific city pair rather than assuming every route runs every day between June 3 and August 2.
Are Southwest’s Summer 2027 Routes Available to Book?
Yes. The Summer 2027 schedule opened for booking on October 2, 2026, and the announced routes are available through Southwest’s booking system.
Travelers considering these routes should compare the exact dates before making other reservations.
For example, someone planning a Saturday-to-Sunday Austin–Nassau trip should confirm that both the outbound and return flights operate on the desired dates. The same approach applies to seasonal service to Bozeman, Portland, or other destinations.
What Travelers Should Check Before Booking
The announcement provides a useful overview, but individual flight schedules can differ by route and date. Travelers should check several details before committing to a trip.
1. Confirm the operating days
A “seasonal” route may operate daily, weekly, or only on selected days. Weekend-only service is particularly important to identify before booking a hotel.
2. Check the exact travel dates
The overall summer schedule runs June 3 through August 2, but individual routes can have narrower operating windows.
3. Compare nonstop and connecting options
A new nonstop may be convenient, but travelers should still compare departure times, total journey time, and available fares with other itinerary options.
4. Check the fare rules
Southwest’s fare products and policies can vary, so travelers should review the conditions tied to the fare selected at booking rather than assuming every ticket has the same flexibility or included benefits.
5. Recheck the schedule closer to departure
Airline schedules can change after booking. Travelers should monitor their reservation and confirm the latest flight information before heading to the airport.
What Does Southwest’s 2027 Expansion Mean for Summer Travelers?
The biggest practical benefit is more choice from several major U.S. markets.
A traveler based in Austin gains additional domestic and international possibilities. Nashville receives new access to the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Boise. San Diego gains Oklahoma City service and more capacity to existing destinations. Meanwhile, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Bozeman receive additional seasonal capacity or returning routes.
The expansion also shows Southwest isn’t simply focusing on one type of traveler. The 2027 schedule covers:
- Caribbean vacations
- Central American trips
- Mountain and outdoor destinations
- Major domestic cities
- Weekend getaways
- Summer family travel
- Business-oriented city pairs with increased frequency
That variety is one reason the schedule could meaningfully affect summer travel planning.
Final Takeaway
Southwest’s Summer 2027 expansion is more than a list of new destinations: it’s a record-sized seasonal schedule with 4,498 peak-day trips, and 20 highlighted new or returning routes. Austin gets some of the most interesting international additions, Nashville gains three new destinations, and San Diego combines a new Oklahoma City route with higher frequencies and returning seasonal service.
For travelers planning summer 2027, the key is to look beyond the destination name and check operating days, seasonal windows, departure times, and fare conditions. Since much of the newly announced capacity is already bookable, travelers with fixed vacation dates can compare the available options now rather than waiting until closer to departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Southwest’s announcement highlights 20 new and returning seasonal routes across its network, with Austin, Nashville, and San Diego accounting for the largest concentration of changes.
The main Summer 2027 schedule covers June 3 through August 2, 2027. Southwest is also planning a separate reduced schedule for July 4.
The new international routes from Austin are Liberia, Costa Rica; Nassau, Bahamas; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The routes are planned as seasonal weekend service.
Southwest is adding seasonal service from Nashville to Boise, Nassau, and Providenciales. It is also bringing back seasonal flights to Bozeman and Portland.
Yes. Southwest is adding seasonal Sunday service between San Diego and Oklahoma City. It is also restoring seasonal service to Bozeman, Columbus, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh.
No. The routes have different schedules. Some are daily seasonal services, while others operate only on weekends or specific days of the week. Travelers should check the individual route and travel date before booking.
Southwest has scheduled up to 4,498 trips on peak days across its network, which the airline describes as its largest summer operation to date.
Yes. The announced Summer 2027 schedule opened for booking on October 2, 2026.