Southwest Airlines Expands California Footprint and Eyes International Expansion
Southwest Airlines is significantly expanding its presence in California by adding Santa Rosa’s Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) as its newest destination. This move comes as the airline also signals a strong intention to enter the long-haul international market in the coming years, potentially with new aircraft orders.
California Expansion
Southwest will commence flights to Santa Rosa on April 7, offering four routes: daily service to San Diego and Las Vegas, five weekly flights to Burbank, and Saturday-only service to Denver. This expansion places Southwest in California’s renowned wine country, an area experiencing increased airline competition following the exit of budget carrier Avelo.
- Southwest’s arrival at STS marks its 14th California destination.
- The airline is taking over two routes previously served by Avelo: Las Vegas and Burbank.
- Southwest aims to leverage its strong position in California, boasting more intra-California service, available seats, and daily departures than any other airline without regional affiliates.
- This addition to the route map is part of a broader expansion strategy, with Southwest announcing four new destinations in 2025 alone, including Knoxville, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
International Ambitions
Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan has indicated that the airline is seriously considering entering the long-haul international market. This potential venture is described as "the biggest transformation in the history of Southwest Airlines."
- The airline is exploring various options, including lounges, premium products, and long-haul international flights.
- A decision on new aircraft orders, necessary for intercontinental flights by the early 2030s, could come soon.
- Southwest is leaning towards a narrowbody aircraft for its initial long-haul international flights, likely the Airbus A321LR or A321XLR, which are already used by other carriers for transatlantic routes.
- These strategic shifts are driven by investor pressure and a desire to meet customer demands for services Southwest has not traditionally offered.
- Southwest is also actively building international partnerships, with more announcements expected, and has joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA), signaling its commitment to global markets.
- While Southwest’s current longest flight is to Hawaii, the airline’s existing Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet has the range for trans-Atlantic routes, though regulatory and operational considerations remain.
