Southwest's Airport Network: How Extensive Is It?

Southwest Airlines serves 103 domestic destinations and 14 international destinations in 12 countries, as of March 2025. The airline has scheduled flights to over 100 destinations in 42 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Southwest Airlines departs from 117 airports in 12 countries, as of March 2025. The airline does not fly outside North America and does not fly to Canada due to its payment system not being set up for Canadian dollars.

Southwest Airlines serves 103 domestic destinations

Southwest Airlines departs from 117 airports in 12 countries. In most cities where Southwest uses both a primary and secondary airport, the secondary airport is used more than the primary for flights. For example, Oakland is used more than San Francisco. However, there are some exceptions, such as the Los Angeles metro area, where Los Angeles International is a Southwest base and secondary airports such as Burbank, Long Beach, Santa Ana and Ontario have limited Southwest operations.

Southwest has built several 5-gate international terminals, including at William P. Hobby Airport, Fort Lauderdale and Baltimore/Washington International Airport. As of January 3, 2024, there were 20 airports at which Southwest Airlines had over 80 daily departures.

Unlike most other US airlines, Southwest does not fly outside North America, and it does not fly to Canada due to its payment system not being set up for Canadian dollars.

Southwest Airlines serves 14 international destinations in 12 countries

Unlike most other US airlines, Southwest does not fly outside North America. It does not fly to Canada due to its payment system not being set up for Canadian dollars. Southwest Airlines has a large presence in certain airports. On average, 80% of Southwest passengers are local passengers, with only 20% being connecting passengers. This is a lower percentage than on most major airlines, where many passengers connect in hub cities.

Southwest Airlines has built several 5-gate international terminals, including at William P. Hobby Airport, Fort Lauderdale and Baltimore/Washington International Airport. In most cities where Southwest uses both a primary and secondary airport, the secondary airport is used more than the primary for flights. For example, Oakland is used more than San Francisco, and Burbank, Long Beach, Santa Ana and Ontario are used more than Los Angeles International Airport.

Southwest Airlines has over 80 daily departures from 20 airports

In most cities where Southwest uses both a primary and secondary airport, the secondary airport is used more than the primary for flights. For example, Oakland is used more than San Francisco, with some exceptions such as the Los Angeles metro area, where Los Angeles International is a Southwest base. Secondary airports in the area, such as Burbank, Long Beach, Santa Ana and Ontario, have limited Southwest operations despite having a higher market share at the smaller airports.

Southwest has also built 5-gate international terminals at William P. Hobby Airport, Fort Lauderdale and Baltimore/Washington International Airport. As of March 2025, Southwest Airlines departs from 117 airports in 12 countries.

Southwest Airlines has scheduled flights to over 100 destinations in 42 states

Southwest Airlines is a major airline that serves a large number of destinations. As of March 2025, the airline departs from 117 airports in 12 countries, including the US, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Southwest Airlines has scheduled flights to over 100 destinations in 42 states, with 15 focus cities and over 4,000 flights each day. The airline has a unique approach to its flight operations, preferring the "point-to-point" system with focus cities instead of the "hub and spoke" system used by other major airlines.

Southwest Airlines has a strong presence in the United States, with flights to 42 states. The airline has a diverse range of destinations, serving both primary and secondary airports in many cities. In some cases, the secondary airport is used more frequently than the primary airport, such as Oakland instead of San Francisco. However, there are exceptions, such as the Los Angeles metro area, where Los Angeles International is a Southwest base, and secondary airports have limited operations.

The airline has also expanded its international presence, with flights to 12 countries as of March 2025. This includes the addition of international terminals at William P. Hobby Airport in 2015 and Fort Lauderdale in 2017, as well as an extension of Terminal A at Baltimore/Washington International Airport in 2021. Southwest has a significant investment in these airport expansions, ensuring a comfortable travel experience for its passengers.

Southwest Airlines stands out for its focus on local passengers, with an average of 80% of its travellers being local, while only 20% are connecting passengers. This is a notable difference from other major airlines, where a higher percentage of passengers connect in hub cities. Southwest's unique approach to flight operations and its dedication to serving a wide range of destinations have made it a popular choice for travellers seeking convenient and direct flights to their desired locations.

Southwest Airlines uses both primary and secondary airports in most cities

In most cities, Southwest uses both a primary and secondary airport. In some cases, the secondary airport is used more than the primary for flights. For example, Oakland is used more than San Francisco. However, there are exceptions, such as the Los Angeles metro area, where Los Angeles International is a Southwest base. Secondary airports in this area, such as Burbank, Long Beach, Santa Ana and Ontario, have limited Southwest operations, despite having a higher market share at the smaller airports.

Southwest does not use the "hub and spoke" system of other major airlines. Instead, it uses the "point-to-point" system with focus cities. This means that an average of 80% of Southwest passengers are local passengers, and only 20% are connecting passengers. This is a lower percentage than on most major airlines, where many passengers connect in hub cities.

Southwest has also invested in building new terminals at several airports. For example, in 2015, it opened a 5-gate international terminal at William P. Hobby Airport. In 2017, it opened a similar terminal in Fort Lauderdale. In 2021, a 5-gate extension of Terminal A at Baltimore/Washington International Airport opened, with Southwest as the sole occupant of Terminal A.

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