Southwest Kicks Off 11 New Tropical Routes as Las Vegas–Puerto Vallarta Takes Off

Southwest Airlines is pointing its planes at the tropics. On Sunday, November 1, the carrier begins year-round nonstop service between Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico — the first of 11 new international routes it plans to roll out from five American cities between now and June 2027.

The expansion, mapped from aviation data firm Cirium’s schedule data, takes Southwest deeper into the beach markets Americans book first when winter sets in: Mexico’s Pacific coast, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Aruba and the Turks and Caicos Islands. It also marks a notable shift for an airline long known mainly for domestic hops. Southwest did not fly internationally from Las Vegas at all until June 2026, when it added Cancun and Los Cabos. Puerto Vallarta is its next step — and, on the Las Vegas route, it will be the only carrier flying nonstop.

For travelers, the appeal is straightforward: a nonstop flight to the beach without a connection through a hub. For Southwest, the bet is that leisure demand from Las Vegas, Nashville, Austin, Columbus and Pittsburgh can support year-round and seasonal service to resort destinations that have historically been served only through connecting itineraries from those cities.

The first flight: Las Vegas to Puerto Vallarta

The Las Vegas–Puerto Vallarta service links Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) with Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) on Mexico’s Pacific coast, a flight of roughly three hours. Southwest already operates more than 40 percent of all flights at Las Vegas, giving it the aircraft and crews to build leisure flying from the city.

The route fills a gap left when Alaska Airlines ended its Las Vegas–Puerto Vallarta service in February 2026. The city is known for its beaches, boardwalk, old town and whale-watching season, which runs through the winter months — timing that lines up with the new service’s launch.

Reported round-trip fares for the route have ranged from roughly $263 to $531 depending on travel dates, according to fare comparison data cited in recent coverage, though prices vary by season and day of travel.

Nashville gains four new getaways

Nashville, home of country music and one of Southwest’s fastest-growing stations, gains four international routes in 2027. Service to Liberia, Costa Rica, begins February 13, followed by Aruba on March 13. Nassau in the Bahamas and Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands both begin June 5, in time for the summer holiday season.

Southwest will be the only carrier with direct flights on all four Nashville routes, according to Cirium data. The expansion builds on the airline’s growing presence in Tennessee, where it has been adding service to meet rising tourist and business demand.

Austin adds four routes, including San José

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport gains four new international routes as well. Service to San José, Costa Rica, begins March 13, 2027, with Southwest as the sole operator on the route. Three more services — to Liberia, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Nassau — begin June 5.

Southwest is already Austin’s largest airline, operating more than 40 percent of flights there, and it opened a pilot and flight attendant crew base at the airport in March. The new routes add to Austin’s existing network of more than 50 domestic and international destinations and tie into the airport’s broader $4 billion expansion plan.

Columbus and Pittsburgh join the Punta Cana map

The final two routes in the expansion serve Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic’s all-inclusive resort hub. Columbus, Ohio, gains nonstop Punta Cana service on March 13, 2027, and Pittsburgh follows on June 5, 2027. On both routes Southwest will compete with Breeze Airways, which begins its own Punta Cana service from those cities in January 2027.

Together, the 11 routes give Southwest nonstop resort service from five departure cities that previously had little or no direct access to these destinations — a deliberate play for travelers in mid-size markets who would otherwise connect through larger hubs.

Why Southwest is going tropical now

The expansion reflects a broader change at Southwest. Once a purely domestic, point-to-point carrier, the airline has been steadily building its international network, which now exceeds 100 departures at peak periods. Its Boeing 737 fleet — more than 800 aircraft, the world’s largest fleet of the type — gives it flexibility to move aircraft between domestic and short-haul international flying as seasons change.

Competition is part of the story too. Aviation data shows Southwest will be the only nonstop carrier on 10 of the 11 new routes, a position that typically supports stronger fares and fuller planes. The exception is the Punta Cana pair from Columbus and Pittsburgh, where Breeze Airways is also entering the market.

Still, travelers should check operating days carefully before booking: several of the new services are seasonal or run only on certain days of the week rather than daily, and schedules can change between announcement and departure.

What travelers should know before booking

Passports are required for all of the new international routes, including Mexico, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Aruba and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Travelers should also check entry requirements, baggage rules and change policies for their specific flight, as Southwest’s policies have changed in recent years.

Winter is peak season in most of these destinations, so early booking generally brings the best choice of flight times. And with the first flight departing Las Vegas on November 1, the window for a warm-weather escape without a connection is now open from five more American cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Southwest’s Las Vegas–Puerto Vallarta flight start?

Year-round nonstop service between Las Vegas (LAS) and Puerto Vallarta (PVR) begins November 1, 2026.

How many new international routes is Southwest adding?

Eleven new nonstop international routes, rolling out between November 2026 and June 2027 from Las Vegas, Nashville, Austin, Columbus and Pittsburgh.

Which new Southwest routes start in 2027?

Nashville–Liberia (February 13), Nashville–Aruba and Austin–San José and Columbus–Punta Cana (March 13), and Nashville–Nassau, Nashville–Providenciales, Austin–Liberia, Austin–Punta Cana, Austin–Nassau and Pittsburgh–Punta Cana (June 5).

Do I need a passport for these flights?

Yes. All 11 routes are international, so a valid passport is required. Check the destination’s entry rules before you travel.

Sources: Fox News Travel, New York Post, Simple Flying (Cirium data), Travelers Today.