SouthWest Airlines will add the U.S. Virgin Islands to its map for the first time since 2021, announcing daily nonstop flights to St. Thomas from Orlando International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The low-cost carrier says service from Orlando begins February 5, 2026, followed by flights from Baltimore starting February 7. St. Thomas is the first of three new destinations Southwest plans to unveil this summer, marking the airline's most significant network expansion in half a decade.
Key Points
- Why it matters: First new Southwest destination in five years grows Caribbean capacity for U.S. travelers.
- Daily Orlando-St. Thomas service launches February 5, 2026.
- Baltimore flights follow on February 7, 2026.
- Routes operate year-round with Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
- Two more new destinations will be announced later this summer.
Snapshot
Sun-splashed St. Thomas, home to Cyril E. King Airport (STT), will soon welcome Southwest's familiar canyon-blue jets. The carrier's Orlando flights will provide Central Florida travelers a direct path to the U.S. territory, while Baltimore adds vital Mid-Atlantic connectivity. Both routes are already on Sale and timed for year-round operation, helping the U.S. Virgin Islands sustain its post-pandemic tourism rebound. Travelers can reach the island without a passport, enjoy white-sand beaches, and connect onward to nearby St. John and St. Croix by ferry or short flight.
Background
Southwest last added an all-new destination in 2021 when it launched service to Bozeman, Montana. Since then, the Dallas-based airline focused on restoring frequencies rather than opening new stations. The St. Thomas decision signals renewed confidence in the carrier's growth strategy, which had paused amid cost pressures and Boeing delivery delays. Orlando and Baltimore rank among Southwest's busiest cities, offering vast connecting banks that funnel passengers from the Midwest and Northeast into the Caribbean. U.S. Virgin Islands officials have courted additional lift to diversify source markets and lessen reliance on legacy carriers.
Latest Developments
Ticket Sales and Schedule Details
Seats went on Sale July 29 on Southwest.com, pairing introductory Wanna Get Away Plus fares with the airline's new assigned-seating option. The Orlando flight departs daily in the mid-morning, arriving in St. Thomas early afternoon, then returns mid-afternoon for an early-evening Florida arrival. Baltimore's service operates on peak travel days-four round-trips weekly ramping to daily in March-mirroring the Orlando timings to allow same-day U.S. connections. Southwest will reveal the next Caribbean or Latin American station when it extends its booking window in August, with speculation centering on Nassau and Roatán.
Analysis
Southwest's entry intensifies competition on a leisure-heavy island historically served by American, Delta, JetBlue, and Spirit. The airline's single-class, free-bags proposition should resonate with families and Cruise passengers who value simplicity and predictable costs. By leveraging existing maintenance and ground-handling contracts at STT, Southwest can keep overhead moderate even with limited gate space. Orlando provides sizable theme-park-driven demand, while Baltimore taps the dense Washington-Baltimore corridor, where Southwest holds a commanding share. Year-round operation reduces seasonality risks and supports local employment, aligning with the territory's goal of stable, sustainable tourism. However, reliability remains crucial. The carrier's on-time performance has lagged competitors in recent quarters, and the 2,200-mile stage length will test schedule padding during storm season. Strong load factors and ancillary revenue from new fare bundles will determine whether the route pair meets Southwest's 15 percent return hurdle and encourages additional Caribbean growth.
Final Thoughts
With its trademark open cabin culture evolving into seat assignments, Southwest is betting that daily, bag-inclusive service can entice value-minded travelers to the U.S. Virgin Islands. If bookings prove robust, the airline's move may herald a broader Caribbean push, giving travelers more nonstop choices and stimulating competition at both ends of the route. For now, St. Thomas gains fresh lift, and mainland flyers gain another reason to consider a sunny winter escape on Southwest St. Thomas flights.