Southwest Airlines is gearing up for a busy summer season, especially among leisure travelers.The Dallas-based carrier just extended its schedule for the second time in a week, now giving flyers a complete look at what the airline plans to fly from June 5 through Labor Day (Sept. 5).If a recent Southwest schedule extension rings a bell, you’re not dreaming — last Thursday, the airline extended its schedule through June 4, and it’s now putting the entire summer on sale, as it tries to cater to those who like to plan far in advance.Along with the schedule extension comes a slew of network changes, including three new routes and a plethora of returning ones too. The airline will also exit five markets as part of the extension.Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter!3 new routes brings the total to 6Southwest is adding three new lines to its route map, all focused on taking summer travelers to popular leisure destinations.This includes once-weekly service on Saturdays in the following three markets commencing on June 1, 2022.Austin (AUS) - Cozumel, Mexico (CZM)Nashville (BNA) - Portland, Maine (PWM)Denver (DEN) - Eugene, Oregon (EUG)TPG exclusive: Is Canada next? Retiring Southwest CEO Gary Kelly discusses carrier’s futureThe once-weekly service will likely cater to those seeking longer vacations, whether it’s a week on the beach or an extended stay with family.Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.Southwest’s new routes (Map courtesy of Cirium)Of the three new routes, Southwest will only go up against one competitor: United, in the Denver-to-Eugene market. The carrier will have a monopoly on the two other routes, according to Cirium schedules.While these are the only new routes as part of Southwest’s summer extension, the airline unveiled three more new ones in last week’s schedule update.That included once-daily service between Austin (AUS) and Tulsa (TUL), four-times-weekly flights between San Antonio (SAT) and Oklahoma City (OKC) and once-weekly flights from Syracuse (SYR) to Tampa (TPA) — all of which commence on April 25.Of the new flights, perhaps the most interesting is the Austin to Tulsa service, as it’ll go head-to-head against American and Allegiant.In recent months, American Airlines and Southwest have been fighting for passengers in Austin, which has long been a stronghold for the latter. Citing strong demand and a surge in companies relocating to the Texas capital, American has doubled down on Austin with a slew of new nonstop routes and a snazzy Admirals Club.It’s clear that Southwest isn’t going to stand on the sidelines while its rival tries to capture its market share.5 routes are getting axedAlong with the six new routes come five cuts. A Southwest spokesperson confirmed that the airline will pull out of the following routes in early June.Dallas/Love Field (DAL) — Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSPDallas/Love Field (DAL) — Louisville (SDF)Washington/National (DCA) — Jacksonville (JAX)Washington/Dulles (IAD) — Orlando (MCO)Richmond (RIC) — Tampa (TPA)It’s most interesting to see three Florida cities lose a route. Throughout the pandemic, traffic to and from the Sunshine State has recovered faster than most other markets, though it’s likely that the airline couldn’t turn a profit on these ones.38 routes are coming backSouthwest is also gearing up for a busy summer season, as the airline prepares to bring back 38 routes that it had previously suspended.Seven of the returning routes will be operated year-round, while the remainder will operate seasonally.You’ll find the full details at the bottom of the story, but highlights include three returning flights from Denver, a city that’s seen more competition than ever thanks to United‘s growth in this mid-continental hub.Full list of Southwest’s returning routesMarketEffective dateFrequencyDEN-AMAJune 5Sundays-FridaysDEN-LBBJune 5DailyDEN-MAFJune 5Sundays-FridaysHOU-SDFJune 5Sundays-FridaysMDW-MBJJune 5DailyMDW-ROCJune 52x Sundays-FridaysMDW-TULJune 52x Sundays-Fridays, 1x SaturdaysABQ-SATJune 11SaturdaysALB-DENJune 11SaturdaysAUA-MCOJune 5DailyAUS-PNSJune 11SaturdaysAUS-PVRJune 11SaturdaysBNA-OKCJune 11SaturdaysBWI-GCMJune 11SaturdaysBZN-DALJune 11SaturdaysCHS-MCIJune 11SaturdaysCHS-STLJune 11SaturdaysCLE-TPAJune 11SaturdaysCMH-MYRJune 5DailyCUN-MKEJune 11SaturdaysCVG-PHXJune 11SaturdaysCVG-TPAJune 11SaturdaysCZM-DENJune 11SaturdaysDAL-RNOJune 11SaturdaysDAL-SEAJune 11SaturdaysDEN-ECPJune 11SaturdaysDEN-PNSJune 11SaturdaysDTW-LASJune 11SaturdaysFLL-PHLJune 11SaturdaysIND-MYRJune 5DailyIND-SANJune 11SaturdaysLAX-MKEJune 11SaturdaysMCI-PDXJune 11SaturdaysMCI-SEAJune 11SaturdaysMDW-PWMJune 5DailyOMA-TPAJune 11SaturdaysSEA-STLJune 11SaturdaysSJU-STLJune 11Saturdays
