Southwest Plans Direct Flights From Dallas to St. Thomas

(Mix 93-1) East Texans who are thinking about a getaway to the Caribbean and visiting St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, could soon have a new choice in air carriers to get there.

Southwest Airlines Targets New Caribbean Route

Pending regulatory approval, Southwest Airlines could be adding a direct flight from Dallas Love Field Airport to Cyril E. King International Airport on the Caribbean Island.

Current Airlines Serving St. Thomas

You can currently catch a flight aboard American Airlines, Delta, or Spirit to get you there, but soon you could be leaving from Dallas Love Field providing a more convenient option from Dallas Love Field.

The Dallas-based carrier is hoping to expand service to St. Thomas by early next year. The airline already has plans to begin selling flights to the island soon.

READ MORE --> US Airports No Longer Require You To Remove Shoes At TSA Checkpoints

Future Plans: International Expansion?

This is not the only destination that Southwest has its sights set on. The company is looking forward to adding two more destinations to its international offerings.

Once approved, St. Thomas will be the ninth island destination that Southwest serves in the Caribbean basin. The airlines already serve:

• Aruba
• The Bahamas
• Cayman Islands
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Jamaica
• Puerto Rico
  Turks and Caicos Islands

Southwest Airlines also serves Belize; it has two destinations in Costa Rica and three in Mexico. Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines' Chief Executive Officer, says,

We are listening closely to what our Customers want—from new products and loyalty benefits to new destinations. We want to make Southwest Airlines the easy and obvious choice every time, and this is another meaningful step in our ongoing transformation.'

The company is going through some big changes, and they're even contemplating long-haul international flights, but there's a lot of bureaucratic red tape to cut through.

Get our free mobile app

Why This Matters to Texas Travelers

This could be a game-changer for Texans wanting to 'get away' and could be a simpler alternative to flying from DFW.