Southwest Airlines Enters The Chat With New Los Angeles-Orlando Route

Southwest Airlines
is expanding its booking calendar, offering flights through October 1, 2025, and unveiling several new and returning domestic routes, according to Travel + Leisure. Along with the schedule extension, the airline has announced the launch of new services set to begin on August 5, 2025, with notable expansions out of Orlando International Airport
(MCO).

New routes from Orlando Airport

Southwest’s network will see significant growth with the addition of several new routes from Orlando. Among those, the Orlando to Los Angeles International Airport
(LAX) route is particularly significant as it will now offer competition on this high-demand corridor. Los Angeles Airport also announced the news on X.

Currently, the route is dominated by the “Big 3” US carriers, American Airlines
, Delta Air Lines
, and United Airlines
, leaving Southwest’s entry as a major development in the market.

Simple Flying has reached out to Southwest for additional comments.

Schedule details

According to Southwest’s booking platform, the carrier will offer one daily flight starting August 5 to October 1 for the Orlando-Los Angeles route.

Other routes departing Orlando include Miami International Airport
and Sarasota, with two daily flights.

Photo: Austin Deppe | Shutterstock

Related

What Aircraft Will Southwest Order After The Boeing 737?

Southwest Airlines, the world’s largest low-cost carrier, has infamously operated the Boeing 737 almost exclusivley. With the exception of some Boeing 727s leased from Braniff during the 1980s, the carrier has built its business using the narrowbody Boeing jet. The carrier initially wanted to start with turboprops, but when a steep discount was offered from Boeing as a result of canceled deliveries, the airline purchased the jet and has been a loyal customer ever since.

However, the Boeing 737 will not be around forever. Southwest has invested heavily in the aircraft family, but eventually it will have to look elsewhere for a replacement. Several potential options could exist, including aircraft like the A220-300 (which the airline considered ordering), A320neo, or a new narrowbody aircraft developed by Boeing or Airbus. What do you think? What will Southwest’s next aircraft type be?

In addition, Southwest will launch the new route between Nashville Airport
(BNA) and Louisville (SDF) six times a week, flying every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.

Starting August 10, 2025, Southwest will introduce a seasonal route between Phoenix (PHX) and Santa Barbara (SBA). This new service will operate once weekly, exclusively on Sundays, offering a convenient option for those looking to enjoy California’s coast.

Photo: BlueBarronPhoto | Shutterstock

Restored Routes

In addition to launching new services, Southwest will also resume several previously discontinued flights, providing more options for travelers across the United States. These include:

• Austin (AUS) to San Francisco (SFO): Once daily, marking the return of a route last flown in 2019.
• Indianapolis (IND) to Chicago (MDW): Twice daily, returning after being suspended in 2020.
• Orlando (MCO) to West Palm Beach (PBI): Twice daily, returning after a 23-year hiatus.

Future schedule updates coming soon

Every two months, Southwest Airlines usually extends its booking calendar, according to Travel + Leisure. The next release is set for February 6, 2025, and will cover travel through November 1, 2025. More route announcements are probably in the works.

Related

5 US Airports Where Southwest Airlines Dominates The Market

The carrier has an impressive network.

In February 2025, Southwest will also launch red-eye flights to accommodate longer journey durations. Southwest’s new “24-hour operation” strategy includes these nighttime flights, which are mostly between cross-country routes and from the mainland US to Hawaii.

Southwest Airlines will also be introducing revised seats on its aircraft later this year. The upgrades will be installed on all new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft delivered to Southwest and will be retrofitted into the airline’s current fleet of MAX 8 and 737-800 aircraft over the next several years.

Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

Ryan Green, Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer of Southwest Airlines, stated during an investor call that the airline is still making progress and moving forward with the assigned and premium seating offering on time. In the first half of 2026, the airline intends to start operating flights with assigned and premium seating, and in the second half of 2025, it will start selling seat assignments for new seats.