Southwest and Delta Cash In on Super Bowl with Last-Minute Flights

As the Super Bowl approaches, airlines like Southwest and Delta are capitalizing on the event by adding dozens of last-minute flights, catering to eager fans looking to travel to the big game. However, these flights don't come cheap, with prices soaring due to high demand and limited availability. Let's dive into the strategies these airlines are employing to maximize revenue during this high-demand period.

Southwest Airlines, known for its aggressive approach to special event flights, has added 31 new flights to and from New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX. These flights connect the host city with the home airports of the competing teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. The airline has strategically added these flights to capture demand from fans eager to attend the game, offering additional flights for sale within minutes of each championship game ending.

Delta Air Lines, another major player in the airline industry, has also joined the fray by adding nonstop flights from Philadelphia and Kansas City to New Orleans. The airline has balanced demand and supply by offering two nonstop flights from each city before the game and two return flights after the game, ensuring there's enough capacity for fans to travel to and from the event.

Both airlines have assigned special flight numbers to their Super Bowl flights, honoring the participating teams, their coaches, or significant historical events. This practice adds a touch of personalization and excitement for fans traveling to the game. Additionally, both airlines offer in-flight entertainment options, allowing passengers to watch the Super Bowl while onboard.



The addition of these last-minute flights has several impacts on the overall capacity and pricing dynamics of the airline industry during the Super Bowl weekend. The increased capacity allows more passengers to travel to and from the Super Bowl destination, accommodating the surge in demand from football fans. However, with high demand and limited availability, ticket prices remain high, with Southwest's one-way fares starting at around $700 for these last-minute flights.

While these last-minute flights have a localized impact on capacity and pricing during the Super Bowl weekend, their overall impact on the airline industry is limited and temporary. The additional capacity is temporary and does not significantly affect the industry's overall capacity or pricing dynamics in the long run.

In conclusion, Southwest and Delta are strategically adding last-minute flights to capitalize on the high demand for travel to the Super Bowl. By offering personalization, in-flight entertainment, and increased capacity, these airlines are catering to the needs of eager fans looking to attend the big game. While ticket prices remain high due to limited availability, the addition of these flights helps accommodate the surge in demand from football fans traveling to New Orleans. As the Super Bowl approaches, fans can expect to see more last-minute flights added by airlines looking to cash in on the event.