DALLAS — Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is adding a new tropical, Caribbean destination.
The airline announced Monday that it’s adding service to Cyril E. King International Airport on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Service is set to begin in early 2026, pending regulatory approvals, with tickets expected to be available soon.
St. Thomas is the first of three new destinations for 2026 that Southwest expects to announce this summer. It will be the ninth island destination served by Southwest in the Atlantic Basin – joining Aruba, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Turks and Caicos Islands. Southwest also offers international service to Belize, two destinations in Costa Rica, and three destinations in Mexico.
Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan said the new destination was added in response to demand from customers.
“We are listening closely to what our Customers want—from new products and loyalty benefits to new destinations,” said Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan. “We want to make Southwest Airlines the easy and obvious choice every time, and this is another meaningful step in our ongoing transformation.”
U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte said the new service “expands accessibility and connectivity” for travelers.
“We are excited at the announcement of new airlift into St. Thomas with Southwest Airlines,” Boschulte said. “As a destination, this expands our accessibility and connectivity to travelers, allowing for seamless and expanded travel opportunities to experience the natural beauty, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality that define the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
“Today marks an exciting milestone for the U.S. Virgin Islands and our growing tourism industry,” said Governor Albert Bryan Jr. “We are proud to welcome this new partnership with Southwest Airlines and look forward to greeting new travelers to our beautiful island home.”
Southwest is also set to begin selling assigned and premium seating in the third quarter of this year and plans to operate with its new fare bundles and a reconfigured fleet, including extra legroom seating, in the first quarter of 2026.
The news comes after Southwest in May applied for a permit from the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand to more international destinations, among other changes.