Ruth Haines
Southwest Airlines does not fly outside of North America and does not fly to Canada due to its payment system not being set up for Canadian dollars. However, people have used Southwest Airlines for part of their journey to Canada. Some airports in the United States that Southwest Airlines serves include Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport, John Wayne Airport Orange County, and Ontario International Airport.
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What You'll Learn
Southwest Airlines doesn't fly to Canada
Southwest Airlines does not fly to Canada. It is the only one of the largest US airlines that does not fly to Canada. This is mainly due to the Canadian dollar—the airline's payment system is not set up to handle Canadian dollars. Canadians purchasing Southwest tickets for Canadian flights would need to do so in Canadian dollars, but the Southwest system cannot process this currency.
Another issue is that Southwest lacks airline partners to provide the service on its behalf. In 2010, Canadian Calgary-based WestJet backed out of a 2008 deal that would have seen both airlines selling seats on each other's flights between the US and Canada.
While Southwest does not fly to Canada, it does fly to border cities like Buffalo, New York; Detroit, Michigan; and Bellingham, Washington, which attract Canadian passengers from across the border. Many people have also used Southwest for part of their journey to Canada, renting a car for the remainder of the trip.
As of November 2023, Southwest Airlines has scheduled flights to over 100 destinations in 42 US states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The airline has 15 focus cities and operates over 4,000 flights each day.
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Airports near the Canadian border
Southwest Airlines does not fly outside of North America and does not fly to Canada due to its payment system not being set up for Canadian dollars. However, people have used Southwest Airlines for part of their journey to Canada.
There are several airports near the Canadian border that people in southwest Canada may use. Many Canadians fly out of US airports near the border as flights tend to be cheaper, and there are more ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) in the US with more routes to places people want to go for leisure, like Florida or Las Vegas. US airports near the border are often smaller and easier to navigate, and allow travellers to go through customs by land, which is considered simpler and smoother.
Some US airports near the Canadian border include Bellingham, Washington, which is about 15 miles from the nearest crossing and is a good option for those travelling to British Columbia. Another option is to fly into Detroit (DTW), which is also about 15 miles from the nearest border crossing to Canada.
Additionally, some US airports near the Canadian border that Southwest Airlines serves include Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport, and John Wayne Airport Orange County. These airports can be used as a starting point for those travelling to Canada, although further transportation arrangements would be needed to cross the border.
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Southwest Airlines' focus cities
Southwest Airlines does not fly to Canada due to its payment system not being set up for Canadian dollars. However, people have used Southwest Airlines for part of their journey to Canada, flying to cities near the Canadian border and driving across. Some of the cities near the Canadian border that Southwest Airlines flies to include New York, Detroit, and Bellingham, Washington.
Unlike most other major airlines, Southwest Airlines does not use the "hub and spoke" system, instead preferring the point-to-point" system with focus cities. It has large operations in certain airports. An average of 80% of Southwest passengers are local passengers, while only 20% are connecting passengers. However, at Southwest's focus cities, the percentage of connecting passengers can reach 30%. As of November 2023, Southwest Airlines has 15 focus cities and operates over 4,000 flights each day.
Historically, Southwest used secondary airports in cities where the primary airports have high costs, such as Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and Miami. However, in the early 21st century, the airline has been expanding into primary airports as well. Some of the airports where Southwest has large operations include:
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Oakland International Airport
- Baltimore/Washington International Airport
- William P. Hobby Airport in Houston
- Fort Lauderdale International Airport
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Denver International Airport
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Southwest Airlines' international terminals
Southwest Airlines does not fly outside North America and does not fly to Canada due to its payment system not being set up for Canadian dollars. However, Southwest Airlines has a strong presence in the United States, with a large number of passengers travelling within the country. As of November 2023, the airline serves over 100 destinations in 42 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
The airline has 15 focus cities and operates over 4,000 flights daily, utilising both primary and secondary airports in certain cities. In Los Angeles, for example, Southwest Airlines operates from Los Angeles International Airport, as well as secondary airports such as Burbank, Long Beach, Santa Ana, and Ontario. Additionally, Southwest Airlines has expanded its presence in primary airports, including Denver International Airport, which is now its most popular destination.
In terms of international terminals, Southwest Airlines has constructed 5-gate international terminals at William P. Hobby Airport (opened in 2015) and Fort Lauderdale (opened in 2017). The airline also occupies Terminal A at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, following a 5-gate extension that opened in 2021. These terminals have allowed Southwest Airlines to expand its international operations beyond North America.
While Southwest Airlines does not fly to Canada, some passengers have used the airline for part of their journey to Canada, combining flights with other forms of transportation such as renting a car. Suggested arrival times for international flights on Southwest Airlines are 120 minutes, and the airline provides various amenities at its terminals, including airport WiFi, priority lanes, and self-tagging options.
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Airports with large Southwest operations
Southwest Airlines does not fly outside North America and does not currently fly to Canada. However, it does have large operations in certain airports in the United States, with an average of 80% of passengers being local, and only 20% connecting passengers.
Some of the airports with large Southwest operations include:
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is a Southwest base, despite secondary airports in the Los Angeles metro area having a higher market share.
William P. Hobby Airport
In 2015, Southwest built a 5-gate international terminal at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston.
Fort Lauderdale
In 2017, Southwest built another 5-gate international terminal in Fort Lauderdale.
Baltimore/Washington International Airport
In 2021, a 5-gate extension of Terminal A at Baltimore/Washington International Airport opened. Southwest is the sole occupant of Terminal A.
Ontario International Airport
Southwest Airlines serves Ontario International Airport, offering convenient flights to destinations such as the Pacific Northwest, the Rockies, and the Great Lakes.
Other Airports
In addition to the airports mentioned above, Southwest also has a significant presence at other airports across the United States, including Long Beach Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport, and John Wayne Airport Orange County.
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Frequently asked questions
Southwest Airlines does not fly to Canada due to its payment system not being set up for Canadian dollars. However, some people fly to cities near the Canadian border and drive across. These airports include:
- Bellingham, WA
- New York
- Detroit
Some other airlines that offer flights to Canada include Air Canada and legacy carriers.
Popular destinations in Canada include Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Toronto, and Montreal.
