Southwest Airlines Launches Six Multi-Stop Routes This September

Southwest Airlines is expanding its service offerings this September by introducing six multi-stop routes across the United States. As the world’s fourth-largest airline for September flights, with a total of 3,733 daily services, Southwest is implementing significant changes to enhance its financial performance.

The airline, known for its unique multi-leg flights operated by a single aircraft, is utilizing its fleet of 804 Boeing 737s to facilitate these routes. While passengers cannot book a single ticket for a full day of travel, they can disembark at various airports and continue their journey with separate tickets, allowing for flexible travel options.

Key Routes and Their Schedules

An analysis of Southwest’s flight schedule by Cirium Diio reveals that four specific routes will feature six flights in September. Here are the details of these routes, operated primarily by the 143-seat 737-700:

– **WN39**: This route connects Greenville/Spartanburg to Baltimore, Albuquerque, and Dallas Love before concluding in St. Louis and Minneapolis. Operating on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, the journey covers a distance of 3,520 nautical miles (6,519 km).

– **WN1917**: Departing from Salt Lake City, this route includes stops in Chicago Midway, Louisville, Dallas Love, and Albuquerque before reaching Phoenix and Nashville. With a total distance of 4,008 nautical miles (7,423 km), this flight operates on the same days as WN39.

– **WN2245**: This service travels from Sacramento to San Diego, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Denver, and Reno, with a total distance of 3,206 nautical miles (5,938 km). It operates on Sundays only.

– **WN2703**: This route links Memphis with Chicago Midway, Tucson, Las Vegas, Orange County, Sacramento, and Seattle, covering 3,059 nautical miles (5,665 km) and also operating on Sundays.

While aircraft may be substituted throughout the month, the 737-700 is set to operate all of these routes, although the multi-stop offerings may vary in upcoming months.

A Day in the Life of Flight WN1917

Flight WN1917, dubbed ‘Southwest Nineteen Seventeen,’ begins its journey at 05:00 local time from Salt Lake City. With a direct arrival in Chicago Midway at 09:00, the flight serves as a vital connection point for many travelers. After a one-hour layover, it departs for Louisville, landing at 12:20 local time before continuing to Dallas Love by 14:00.

The aircraft then heads to Albuquerque, arriving at 15:35, and concludes its day with a final flight to Nashville, expected to land at 22:35. By the end of this extensive route, the 737-700 will have flown nearly the same distance as a transatlantic flight, covering 4,008 nautical miles (7,423 km).

In addition to these primary routes, Southwest Airlines is also operating 15 other routes with five flights throughout September. Notably, service WN3546 runs from Houston Hobby to San Diego with multiple stops, covering a distance of 3,288 nautical miles (6,089 km).

As Southwest Airlines embraces these innovative multi-stop routes, it continues to adapt its operations to meet the evolving needs of travelers while enhancing its overall service offerings.