Southwest Airlines has announced the launch of its longest international route to date, connecting Las Vegas with San José, Costa Rica. This new service, set to begin on October 1, 2026, marks a significant expansion for the airline, which has primarily focused on domestic flights since its inception in June 1971.
The Las Vegas to San José route spans 2,297 nautical miles (4,254 kilometers) each way, surpassing the airline’s previous longest international flight from Denver to San José, which measured 2,283 nautical miles (4,428 kilometers). This development comes as Southwest continues to evolve its operations, with international flights currently accounting for only 2% of its total services.
Southwest’s entry into this market is notable for its absence of nonstop flights in the past. Booking data indicates that over 38,000 round-trip passengers traveled between Las Vegas and San José in the year leading up to November 2025. This makes it the second-largest unserved market from the United States to San José, following Boston, which recorded 62,000 passengers in the same period. The new route is expected to attract both local travelers and connecting passengers from major Western U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Significance of the New Route
The Las Vegas to San José flight will operate daily using a 137-seat Boeing 737-700 aircraft. This flight not only extends the airline’s international reach but also introduces its first overnight service outside the U.S. Previously, Southwest’s latest international departure was scheduled for 6:10 PM from Houston Hobby to Cancun. The new Las Vegas route will have flights departing at 11:20 PM and arriving in San José at 6:00 AM the following day.
In addition to the Las Vegas route, Southwest plans to establish six other services to San José, including flights from Baltimore, Denver, Houston Hobby, Nashville, and Orlando. The strategic scheduling allows for efficient aircraft flow within Southwest’s system, further maximizing operational efficiency.
Comparative Route Analysis
The launch of the Las Vegas to San José route will replace the Denver to San José service as Southwest’s longest international flight. Since its introduction in March 2023, the Denver route has maintained a low-frequency operation, carrying 12,114 passengers over the past year with a remarkable load factor of 90.2%. This strong performance indicates a high demand for the service, despite its limited frequency.
The daily operation of the Las Vegas route is anticipated to enhance Southwest’s competitive positioning in the international market, particularly in capturing demand from the Western U.S. Additionally, the airline’s strategy of connecting passengers from various cities will likely bolster the overall performance of the new route.
As Southwest Airlines continues to expand its international offerings, the Las Vegas to San José flight stands as a significant milestone in the carrier’s journey, reinforcing its commitment to growing its presence in the international travel sector.