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Southwest Airlines is making significant changes to its route network as part of a broader effort to improve financial performance and remain competitive. The airline, which has recently introduced new fees for checked bags, begun offering overnight flights, and announced plans for assigned seating and extra-legroom charges, will discontinue 29 routes starting in March next year.
According to the airline, “66 seasonal routes have been added to our network starting in March.” However, Southwest did not confirm whether any of the discontinued routes would become seasonal; instead, they have simply been removed from the schedule.
Nearly half of the affected routes are from Denver and St. Louis. Some cuts were anticipated due to overlapping service with other cities or the reintroduction of flights on alternative routes. For example, St. Louis-Des Moines and St. Louis-Wichita are being dropped as Southwest restarts service between St. Louis and Chicago Midway. Similarly, St. Louis-Oklahoma City is ending as Dallas Love Field flights resume, while St. Louis-Little Rock will be replaced by new Nashville service.
