Southwest Airlines adds custom flights for Taylor Swift’s final US tour dates

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Southwest Airlines adds custom flights for Taylor Swift’s final US tour dates

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Tom Boon Content Manager | Simple Flying

By Sky Industry News

Jul 18, 2024

Increased demand for Taylor Swift's final US tour dates has driven Southwest Airlines to add one-off flights for fans. The airline strategically chose flight numbers referencing Swift's hit singles and albums to delight fans. Extra flights from various cities to the Miami area and New Orleans were added to accommodate concertgoers attending Swift's shows.

Airlines across the United States are experiencing an increase in demand surrounding the final US dates of Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour. Southwest Airlines is responding by adding flights with unique flight numbers chosen to appeal to fans traveling to one of the final shows.

According to Southwest Airlines, the carrier saw bookings increase by more than 10% in markets that hosted Taylor Swift shows during the initial US run of the tour last year. In response to increased demand for the three final weekend-long tour stops this year, Southwest is adding ten additional flights. A carrier spokesperson confirmed the new flights were deliberately scheduled to coincide with the concerts: "Look what you made us do! Southwest Airlines is blasting T-Swift's songs as it gets ready to welcome Taylor back to the United States as her global tour lands in Miami and New Orleans."

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The tour will run for three nights (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) in each city along the way and feature Gracie Abrams as the opening act. The first stop is Hard Rock Stadium in Miami from October 17th to 20th. To welcome Swift back, Southwest chose special flight numbers for these flights.

Two additional flights are available for the Florida shows on Friday, October 17th, with two new return legs on Sunday, October 20th. Flight 22 from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) offers a convenient option with a nod to Swift's fourth single from her 2012 album Red. Flight 1989 from Nashville (BNA) to Miami International Airport (MIA) had its number chosen as an ode to Swift's birth year and fifth album "1989." Flight 1313 from Miami to Nashville will fly concertgoers back on a flight bearing Swift's favorite number. Flight 1213 from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood to Baltimore/Washington is scheduled for return travelers on that Sunday.

Hard Rock Stadium is located about half an hour from both Miami and Fort Lauderdale International Airports.

The following weekend, New Orleans will welcome Swift and her fans at Ceasar's Superdome for three nights beginning October 25th. In advance of its arrival, Southwest has added additional flights from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to cities across its network.

On Thursday, October 24th, additional links will be flown from Austin (AUS) as flight 1313 and Baltimore/Washington (BWI) with flight 22. On October 25th, flights 1989 and 1213 will be available from Dallas Love Field (DAL) and San Antonio (SAT) respectively.

On Sunday, October 27th, one return flight will be added per city. A spokesperson highlighted how excited Southwest is: "Southwest is excited to welcome Swifties and looks forward to celebrating with them as they hit the road... And remember, just like your first two checked bags, bracelets fly free!"

The tour’s final date will be at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis; no additional flights have been announced so far but there remains potential capacity increases.