Southwest Airlines is planning a big push on the West Coast in 2026.
Just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Dallas-based carrier announced five new routes launching from Southern California next summer.
The California expansion includes two all-new routes to Hawaii, added flights to the Pacific Northwest and a bunch of additional daily departures from San Diego.
Headlining Tuesday’s announcement were Southwest’s two new routes connecting Honolulu with suburban Los Angeles: Nonstop flights to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) from Ontario and Burbank will launch in June and August, respectively.
But between new routes and bolstered flight schedules, it’s a sizable West Coast expansion for the airline — one helped, Southwest executives said, by new airport terminals like the one TPG toured this summer at San Diego International Airport (SAN)
“New facilities like those in San Diego and Burbank, along with our onboard customer enhancements, have Southwest positioned to continue offering more for customers in Southern California and beyond for many years to come,” Adam Decaire, Southwest senior vice president of network planning and network operations control, said in a statement Tuesday.
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5 new Southwest Airlines routes
Here’s a full rundown of Southwest’s new routes unveiled as part of this announcement:
RouteDetailsOntario International Airport (ONT) to Honolulu
Launches June 4, operates daily
Hollywood-Burbank Airport (BUR) to Honolulu
Launches Aug. 4, operates on peak travel days
Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon
Launches Aug. 4, operates six times per week
Long Beach to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)Â
Launches Aug. 4, operates six times per week
San Diego to Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)Â
Launches Aug. 4, operates daily
Adding frequencies from San Diego
It’s not just new routes.
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Southwest on Tuesday said it would double its daily round-trip service on three routes from San Diego beginning on Aug. 4:
- San Diego to Portland, Oregon
- San Diego to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- San Diego to Seattle
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West Coast turf war?
This Golden State expansion by Southwest has a bit of a “turf war” flavor to it. Both the new routes Southwest announced, and the routes where it’s adding extra daily flights, are in key markets served by West Coast powerhouse Alaska Airlines.
In recent months, Alaska has significantly bolstered its hubs in San Diego and Portland, and added routes out of Burbank, citing opportunity in those markets and — especially in San Diego — strong interest in its Atmos Rewards loyalty program.
KEVIN CARTER/GETTY IMAGES
Southwest, for its part, said it now plans to operate an all-time high 139 departures on peak days in August and September 2026 in San Diego.
Growing Hawaii network
As for Southwest’s Hawaii expansion, adding new Honolulu flights to Ontario and Burbank will give the carrier 10 routes between HNL and the U.S. mainland.
Southwest launched service to the Aloha State in 2019, and appears to be laying the groundwork for an airport lounge in the state capital.
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