Southwest drops Oakland to Eugene flights in March 2026

Published on Aug 23, 2025, 9:27 am CDTUpdated on Aug 23, 2025, 9:40 am CDT

5 min read

Southwest Airlines will end Oakland to Eugene flights on March 4, 2026, according to schedule filings reflected in local Bay Area reporting. The move comes amid a broader network shift toward connecting traffic, even as the carrier pursues new growth elsewhere. For travelers in Oregon's Willamette Valley and the East Bay, the cut removes a convenient nonstop that linked the University of Oregon's hometown to the Bay Area. It also underscores how Southwest is rebalancing point to point flying on the West Coast.

Key Points

Why it matters: One seat Bay Area link to Eugene ends March 4, 2026.
Travel impact: Fewer nonstops between Eugene Airport (EUG) and Oakland International Airport (OAK).
What's next: Connections via larger stations will take a larger role for Oregon travelers.
Counterpoint: Southwest is still exploring growth, see Southwest Airlines considers international expansion.

Snapshot: Oakland to Eugene flights

Southwest's decision aligns with a network pivot that trims thinner West Coast point to point routes while reinforcing flows over larger connecting airports. Local Bay Area coverage pegs the last flight on March 4, 2026, which means spring break travelers will need to plan alternatives. United continues nonstop service between Eugene and San Francisco, which preserves a Bay Area option, although airport choice and schedules will differ. For Eugene based travelers, Southwest connectivity to California will increasingly route over larger stations, which can add time but may expand same day options. Refund and reaccommodation rules will depend on fare type and any schedule change notices issued by the airline.

Background

Southwest launched Eugene Airport (EUG) in 2021 during its pandemic era expansion, starting with twice daily service to Oakland International Airport (OAK) and daily service to Las Vegas. That brought the brand's low fares and free change policy to Oregon's second largest airport, and it quickly became a useful Bay Area bridge for students, families, and business travelers. Since then, Eugene has seen a rotating cast of routes from multiple carriers as the market normalized. The Oakland link stood out because it paired Eugene with a major Southwest station, consistent with the airline's historic strength in California. The decision to end the route signals a recalibration of where Southwest sees the most reliable demand.

Latest Developments

Southwest sets a March 4, 2026 end date for OAK-EUG

Bay Area reporting lists Oakland to Eugene among roughly two dozen routes Southwest will cut in early March 2026 as it resets parts of its domestic map. Industry schedule analysis indicates the carrier is prioritizing connectivity through hubs like Chicago Midway and Nashville, and shifting capacity away from select West Coast point to point links. For the Eugene market, the practical effect is the loss of a daily nonstop to Oakland that once anchored Southwest's EUG entry. Travelers will still find Bay Area access via United's Eugene to San Francisco nonstops, but airport choice, fare levels, and departure times will vary. Southwest customers headed to or from Eugene should expect more itineraries that flow over larger stations.

Analysis

This cut is a useful counterweight to Southwest's other recent growth headlines. On one hand, the airline is adding cities and evaluating broader international opportunities, a sign that it continues to hunt for network upside. On the other hand, the choice to eliminate Oakland to Eugene shows management is scrutinizing smaller point to point pairs that do not consistently support daily service at target margins. For West Coast travelers, the message is clear, connections are back in vogue at Southwest. That can lengthen journey times but often improves schedule breadth and resilience when irregular operations hit.

For Eugene and East Bay flyers, the practical play is to compare Oakland, San Francisco, and even San Jose options by total trip time, not just nonstop availability. United's Eugene to San Francisco nonstop keeps a Bay Area path open, while Southwest loyalists may find better value connecting through larger Southwest stations. As the carrier refines its map, expect additional seasonal tweaks rather than dramatic reversals, especially on short stage length routes where yields lag. Taken together with the company's exploration of new geographies, the route removal underscores a disciplined, portfolio style approach to capacity. It is a reminder that growth stories often coexist with quiet trims.

Final Thoughts

Southwest's decision to end Oakland to Eugene flights reflects a broader return to connectivity over short haul point to point flying on the West Coast. Travelers in the Willamette Valley and the East Bay still have choices, but they may need to weigh airport swaps or connections to preserve convenience and price. As Southwest pushes into new markets while pruning others, monitoring schedule updates will be essential for spring 2026 trip planning. In a shifting map, the smartest strategy is to compare total time, cost, and loyalty value across airports, especially when Oakland to Eugene flights go away.