PR Newswire
• Airline adding third airport in the Volunteer State, joining Memphis and Nashville
• Southwest also grows routes in San Diego with new terminal opening soon
DALLAS
, Aug. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) is again growing its route map with service at Knoxville, Tennessee’s McGhee Tyson Airport scheduled to begin March 5, 2026. The five daily round-trips to and from Knoxville, along with the airline’s schedule through April 6, 2026, are available for purchase today at Southwest.com®.
“Thanks to the partnership from Gov. Bill Lee, the State of Tennessee, and the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, we’re looking forward to serving Knoxville with our unmatched Customer Service,” said Bob Jordan, CEO, President, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines. “We’re celebrating another exciting milestone in our journey to transform Southwest Airlines – giving Customers more reasons to choose Southwest. Plus, we’re affirming our longtime commitment to California with new routes from San Diego’s reimagined Terminal 1.”
Good Ol’ Rocky Top
Southwest Airlines® is scheduled to introduce twice-daily service between Knoxville and Nashville, as well as daily roundtrip flights between Knoxville and Baltimore, Dallas, and Orlando, Florida.
“As a top global travel destination and business hub, Tennessee is the ideal location for Southwest Airlines to expand, and we welcome them to Knoxville,” said Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee. “We’re honored that Southwest, a leading American company serving millions of travelers each year, will be expanding its reach in the Volunteer State, and we’re grateful for their continued economic investment.”
Southwest, the Official Airline of the Southeastern Conference, is looking forward to taking sports fans to and from events in Knoxville and connecting Customers to the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains.
“The addition of Southwest Airlines to our airport is an historic milestone for our community,” said Howard Vogel, Chairman of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority’s Board of Commissioners. “After years of dedicated pursuit, their arrival at McGhee Tyson Airport represents far more than new flights—it’s another gateway to national connectivity and a powerful boost to our region’s tourism industry. Their addition underscores our commitment to expanding opportunities for the people and businesses we serve. Southwest, welcome to Big Orange Country!”
Knoxville joins St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, as the second new destination Southwest® has announced this summer. By the end of August, the airline intends to announce another destination where the ocean wears two shades of blue and every landing feels like an adventure. More adventures also await at one of Southwest’s homes on the Pacific Coast next year.
Taking Off at the New T1 in San Diego
Southwest is California’s largest carrier in terms of daily departures, available seats, and Customers boarded1 and is continuing to increase its service in the Golden State with the new Terminal 1 opening next month at San Diego International Airport. Daily, year-round service is set to begin March 5, 2026, between America’s Finest City and Eugene, Oregon; Maui, Hawaii; Portland,Oregon;Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Seattle.
Southwest is also growing its Spring Break ski destinations with Saturday service slated for March 7, 2026, connecting San Diego with Bozeman, Montana, and Spokane, Washington. The two new routes complement existing service to popular winter recreation areas near Albuquerque, New Mexico; Boise, Idaho; Denver; Reno, Nevada; and Salt Lake City.
Networking is Everything
Southwest has strategically designed new and returning routes to give Customers more itinerary options across the vast Southwest network. Beginning March 5, 2026, Southwest is introducing twice-daily service on three routes: Chicago (Midway) and Milwaukee; Phoenix and Tucson,Arizona; and Little Rock, Arkansas, and Nashville.
Additionally, twice-daily service between Chicago (Midway) and Des Moines, Iowa; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Wichita, Kansas, is set to return March 5, 2026, along with twice-daily round-trips between Dallas and Oklahoma City.
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ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co.
operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline1. By empowering its more than 72,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 140 million Customers carried in 2024. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.
- Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q1 2025
- Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of June 30, 2025
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.
