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Southwest Airlines has announced plans to begin service at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS) starting April 7, 2026. The airline will offer nonstop flights from STS to San Diego International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. In addition, there will be five weekly flights to Burbank Airport and a Sunday-only service to Denver International Airport.
Tickets for these new routes are set to go on sale beginning tomorrow. This move marks Southwest's 14th destination in California and is intended to strengthen the carrier’s presence within the state without relying on regional partners. The announcement comes as Southwest continues efforts to expand its network across other regions, including upcoming launches in the Caribbean.
The decision follows increased scrutiny of Southwest’s operations by activist investment manager Elliott Global Management, which has urged the company to improve profitability through operational optimization. The route expansion aims to provide more options for travelers while tapping into both leisure travel demand and visiting friends and relatives traffic between Northern California and major markets like Las Vegas, San Diego, Burbank, and Denver.
