Southwest Airlines Expands To Us Virgin Islands With New Caribbean Flights – What You Should Know

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Added aerial work betwixt nan U.S. and nan Caribbean will beryllium be taking spot arsenic confirmed by Southwest Airlines, which is group to motorboat nonstop work to nan U.S. Virgin Islands’ St. Thomas from 2 important U.S. cities. The work will commence connected February 7, 2026 from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). To beryllium launched 2 days earlier connected February 5, 2026 will beryllium regular work from Orlando International Airport (MCO).

These person been important additions for American vacationers work to and from nan Caribbean. The news has been confirmed by some nan hose and nan U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, per national proscription authorities.

St. Thomas gets Boost successful Tourism Infrastructure

The caller airlift to nan Cyril E. King Airport (STT) was labelled by territorial officials arsenic a important publication to nan U.S. Virgin Islands’ tourism industry. According to Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte, nan way description has been praised arsenic a overmuch needed accessibility enhancement, pinch nonstop flights from awesome U.S. hubs passim nan busiest months of nan wintertime season.

This span betwixt nan mainland and nan Caribbean is anticipated to beforehand economical improvement and support tourism, bring much visitors to nan land and springiness US citizens an easy introduction arsenic a passport is not basal to recreation to nan US Virgin Islands.

A Growing Caribbean Footprint for Southwest Airlines

St. Thomas is now nan ninth land destination serviced by Southwest successful nan Caribbean Basin. Service from location to Aruba, nan Bahamas, nan Cayman Islands, Cuba, nan Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and nan Turks and Caicos Islands has already begun. Additionally, nan bearer will proceed to alert to Belize, 2 cities successful Costa Rica and 3 successful Mexico.

Two further world markets will beryllium launched successful nan summertime of 2026 and a 4th Caribbean destination will beryllium announced successful August. These changes dovetail pinch accusation published retired of nan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and underscore beardown liking connected nan portion of short-haul leisure travelers.

Altered fare building and onboard acquisition launched

In summation to way growth, location are changes successful nan Southwest Airlines customer experience. Effective January 27, 2026, it will shape retired of nan airline’s bequest work format. Those who bargain nan slightest costly tickets will nary longer get free checked baggage.

The changes were implemented to support pinch nan changing manufacture modular and user preferences. The airline’s leaders person said that flexibility, customization and worth will ever beryllium astatine nan bosom of what’s next.

CEO Credits Customer Feedback to Core of nan Business

Bob Jordan, President and CEO of Southwest Airlines, announced feedback from customers had informed nan airline’s changing attack successful a caller executive communication. The enhancements to destinations, loyalty benefits and fare choices were designed to bespeak what passengers person travel to expect while continuing to beryllium competitory passim nan leisure aviation market.

The hose stated that its semipermanent nonsubjective is still clear, to beryllium nan hose of prime for section and Caribbean travelers erstwhile reasoning comfortableness and value.

U.S. Travelers Promoted Visa-Free Caribbean Visits For U.S. Citizens

U.S. Virgin Islands officials person stressed that American travelers will bask streamlined introduction processes, since passports aren’t basal for U.S. citizens walking to nan territory. The fantabulous entree to St. Thomas by some onshore and sea, coupled pinch its abundant beauty and culture, has made nan metropolis 1 of nan apical spots for caller and repetition land guests.

According to tourism statistic released by nan U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, request for U.S. warm-weather destinations — including St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix — has continuously grown for nan past fewer years, particularly during nan first quarters of each almanac year.

Conclusion- Victory for U.S. Travel, Caribbean Tourism

Southwest Airlines has made a captious move to grow recreation options to 1 of nan Caribbean’s astir alluring destinations pinch caller flights to nan U.S. Virgin Islands from Maryland and Florida. St. Thomas is now solidly connected nan airline’s representation on pinch fare structure, loyalty advantages and nan rider experience.

By scalloping its footprint and updating its product, it has besides doubled down connected its committedness to leisure business — and made clip distant successful nan Caribbean little costly and much accessible than ever.

Sources:

-U.S. Department of Transportation

-U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism

-Federal Aviation Administration

-Southwest Airlines Official Pressroom