Southwest Airlines opened its summer 2027 schedule for booking on October 2, 2026. The new schedule covers flights from roughly June 3 through August 2, 2027, and it includes a batch of new and returning routes from three focus cities: Austin, Nashville and San Diego. For Rapid Rewards members, this is the first chance to lock in next summer’s vacation flights with points.
Here’s what’s new, and how to think about booking it with points while the current Companion Pass rules still apply.
The new and returning summer 2027 routes
Based on reporting from several outlets that cover Southwest’s announcement, the highlights are:
| From | To | Service (as reported) |
|---|---|---|
| Austin (AUS) | Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) | Weekends, June–July |
| Austin (AUS) | Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) | Weekends, June–July |
| Austin (AUS) | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) | Weekends, June–July |
| Austin (AUS) | Savannah/Hilton Head (SAV) | Weekends |
| Austin (AUS) | Bozeman, Montana (BZN) | Saturdays |
| Austin (AUS) | Portland, Oregon (PDX) | Daily seasonal (returning) |
| Austin (AUS) | Sarasota, Florida (SRQ) | Saturdays (returning) |
| Nashville (BNA) | Boise, Idaho (BOI) | New seasonal |
| Nashville (BNA) | Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) | New seasonal |
| Nashville (BNA) | Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (PLS) | New seasonal |
| San Diego (SAN) | Oklahoma City (OKC) | Sundays, seasonal |
Several 2026 seasonal routes are also coming back, including Nashville to Bozeman and Portland, and San Diego to Bozeman, Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio. Some outlets also list San Diego to Milwaukee and a returning daily Las Vegas to Anchorage flight in June. Southwest is expected to publish a reduced schedule around July 4 later.
The schedule is being described as the largest summer lineup in Southwest’s history. Reported peak-day figures include about 143 departures in Austin and up to 220 daily flights in Nashville, and Southwest lounges are under construction in both cities.
One caveat: the outlets we checked don’t all count the routes the same way (for example, “11 routes” vs. longer lists that include returning service). We couldn’t load Southwest’s own newsroom page while writing this, so check exact days and dates on southwest.com before you plan around a route.
Why booking with points now can make sense
- Weekend-only international routes fill fast. Flights like Austin to Liberia or Nashville to Providenciales only run on certain days, so there’s less capacity to go around during peak summer weeks.
- Points prices move with cash fares. Southwest prices award seats based on the fare, so booking early, before fares climb, often means fewer points too. Government taxes and fees on award tickets start at $5.60 per one-way flight.
- A Companion Pass earned in 2026 covers summer 2027. Under the current rules, a pass earned this year stays valid through the end of 2027. The Points Guy reports that existing passes aren’t affected by Southwest’s 2027 overhaul, so a 2026 pass can still cover a companion on these summer flights (taxes and fees still apply).
- Chase points transfer 1:1. Chase Ultimate Rewards points from cards like the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve transfer to Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. Chase says most transfers process by the next business day but can take up to seven. Transferred points don’t count toward Southwest status.
Who this affects and what to do
- Travelers based in Austin, Nashville or San Diego: you get new nonstop beach and mountain options. Look up points prices now on the dates you want, and set a reminder to check again, since prices can drop.
- Companion Pass holders or near-qualifiers: if you’ll hold a pass through 2027, summer trips are a great place to use it. If you’re close to the current threshold, our earlier post on the 2027 Rapid Rewards overhaul explains why 2026 is the last year under the old rules.
- International routes: Liberia, Nassau, Punta Cana and Providenciales need a valid passport, and you’ll want to check entry rules for each country before booking.
- Before you transfer Chase points: find the exact flight and points price first. Transfers can’t be reversed.
Want Chase points you can move to Southwest? The Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve earn Ultimate Rewards points that transfer 1:1 to Rapid Rewards. You can apply with our Chase referral link.
Disclosure: This is our personal Chase referral link. If you’re approved through it, we may earn a referral bonus, at no extra cost to you. You can always apply directly on Chase’s website. See our Advertising & Referral Disclosure.
Our take
This is a solid schedule for travelers in Southwest’s growing focus cities, especially the new nonstops to the Caribbean and Central America from Austin and Nashville. Combined with a Companion Pass earned this year, those routes could be some of the best uses of Rapid Rewards points next summer.
The downsides: many of the new routes are weekend-only or once a week, which limits flexibility, and seasonal routes can be trimmed or retimed before they fly. If you live outside these three cities, most of this news won’t change much for you. And with Southwest’s bag and seating rules now different from what longtime fans remember, compare the full trip cost (bags and seats included) against other airlines before you commit points.
Sources: The Points Guy (Oct. 2, 2026); Upgraded Points; Travel Agent Central (Oct. 6, 2026); Aviation A2Z; Southwest Airlines newsroom; The Points Guy on the Companion Pass changes; The Points Guy on Chase-to-Southwest transfers.
