Southwest Airlines Announces Arrival in Knoxville and a Major Expansion in San Diego
Southwest Airlines is set to land in Knoxville and bolster its San Diego presence with new domestic and international routes starting in March 2026.
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Southwest Airlines continues to expand its route map, announcing the start of operations at Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Tennessee, scheduled to begin on March 5, 2026. The airline also unveiled a robust service expansion from San Diego (SAN), coinciding with the upcoming opening of the renovated Terminal 1.
The flight schedule, which is already on sale on the airline's website, extends through April 6, 2026, covering the popular Spring Break holiday season in the United States.
Bob Jordan, CEO and President of Southwest Airlines, expressed his excitement for the new destination, thanking the collaboration of the State of Tennessee and the airport authority. He stated that they "look forward to serving Knoxville with our unmatched Customer Service" and emphasized that the move affirms the company's commitment to California with new routes from San Diego's reimagined Terminal 1.
Landing in "Big Orange Country"
Knoxville will become the third airport served by Southwest in Tennessee, joining Nashville (BNA) and Memphis (MEM). The initial operation at McGhee Tyson Airport will include five daily round-trip flights distributed as follows:
Nashville (BNA): two daily flights.
Baltimore/Washington (BWI): one daily flight.
Dallas (Love Field, DAL): one daily flight.
Orlando (MCO): one daily flight.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee welcomed the airline, declaring, "As a top global travel destination and business hub, Tennessee is the ideal location for Southwest Airlines to expand." The arrival of the airline, an official sponsor of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), is significant news for college sports fans, as Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee.
People Also Ask: Southwest's New Routes
When will Southwest start flying to Knoxville? Service will begin on March 5, 2026.
What destinations will Southwest fly to from Knoxville? To Nashville, Baltimore, Dallas, and Orlando.
What new international routes is Southwest adding from San Diego? It is adding daily, year-round service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PVR).
Is the San Diego expansion related to the new terminal? Yes, the new flights coincide with the opening of the modern Terminal 1, where Southwest will consolidate its operations.
Growth in San Diego with the New Terminal 1
In parallel, Southwest, California's largest carrier by number of flights and passengers carried, will strengthen its operations at San Diego International Airport (SAN). Capitalizing on the imminent opening of the new Terminal 1, a project that will modernize and expand the airport's capacity, the company will launch new routes starting March 5, 2026.
The new year-round services from San Diego are:
Eugene, Oregon (EUG): one daily flight.
Kahului, Maui, Hawaii (OGG): one daily flight.
Portland, Oregon (PDX): one daily flight.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PVR): one daily flight.
Seattle, Washington (SEA): one daily flight.
Additionally, for the winter and ski season, Southwest will add Saturday flights starting March 7, 2026, between San Diego and Bozeman, Montana (BZN), and Spokane, Washington (GEG).
Strengthening the Short-Haul Network
The airline also announced strategic adjustments to bolster its short-haul network starting March 5, 2026. Twice-daily service will be introduced on the Chicago (Midway) - Milwaukee, Phoenix - Tucson, and Little Rock - Nashville routes.
Furthermore, twice-daily service will resume on the Chicago (Midway) - Des Moines, Chicago (Midway) - Tulsa, Chicago (Midway) - Wichita, and Dallas (Love Field) - Oklahoma City routes.
According to the press release, Southwest plans to announce another new international destination before the end of August, promising "a place where the ocean wears two shades of blue."
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