Southwest Airlines Expands Flight Schedule, Adds New Routes and Partnerships

Southwest Airlines extends its flight schedule with new routes to St. Maarten in the Caribbean, starting April 7, 2026. The airline also introduces a new international partnership with EVA Air and a seasonal route between Chicago O'Hare and Panama City, Florida. Additionally, Southwest adds more routes to its schedule, including nonstop flights between Knoxville and Denver.

Southwest Airlines has announced significant expansions to its flight schedule, including new routes to St. Maarten in the Caribbean and a strategic partnership with EVA Air. These moves aim to enhance connectivity and provide more travel options for passengers.

Starting April 7, 2026, Southwest Airlines will introduce flights to St. Maarten, its first new international destination since 2021. The route will offer daily nonstop service between Orlando (MCO) and Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), with expanded service to Baltimore/Washington (BWI) two days later [1]. This addition will provide convenient access to the Caribbean island, which consists of the Netherlands’ constituent country of Sint Maarten and the French overseas collectivity of Saint-Martin.

In addition to its Caribbean expansion, Southwest has entered a new international partnership with EVA Air. Effective immediately, the partnership will connect EVA Air passengers in key cities, including Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), and Chicago (ORD), with other cities across the U.S. via Southwest's expanding network [2]. This agreement allows for more seamless travel between Asia and North America, with passengers able to book single itineraries that include flights operated by both carriers.

Southwest Airlines is also enhancing its domestic travel options with new seasonal routes. Starting April 9, 2026, the airline will introduce seasonal nonstop flights between Knoxville, Tennessee, and Denver on Saturdays and Sundays. Additionally, a seasonal route linking Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Panama City, Florida, will begin service on Saturdays from the same date [1]. These new routes aim to provide time-saving connectivity for weekend travelers.

These expansions demonstrate Southwest Airlines' commitment to connecting passengers with both well-loved and emerging destinations. The combination of international expansion, airline partnerships, and new domestic routes reflects a strategic focus on enhancing travel flexibility, convenience, and choice [3].

References:
[1] https://www.travelagentcentral.com/transportation/southwest-airlines-expands-caribbean-st-maarten-route
[2] https://www.travelpulse.com/news/airlines-airports/southwest-airlines-and-eva-air-travel-partnership
[3] https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/southwest-airlines-expands-2026-travel-network-to-st-maarten-orlando-baltimore-knoxville-denver-chicago-panama-city-with-new-eva-air-partnership/