Southwest Airlines Announces New Daily Service to St. Thomas from Orlando and Baltimore

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (July 29, 2025) — The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is excited to welcome travelers from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Orlando International Airport (MCO) with the newly announced nonstop service on Southwest Airlines to Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) in St. Thomas.

Following its initial announcement of intent to serve the territory, Southwest Airlines has now confirmed it will launch daily round-trip service from Orlando beginning February 5, 2026, and from Baltimore beginning February 7, 2026.

Tickets are now available for purchase at Southwest.com.

“The launch of nonstop service from Baltimore enhances our connectivity to the Delmarva Peninsula and surrounding Mid-Atlantic region—an important and growing market for the U.S. Virgin Islands. At the same time, the new Orlando route deepens our reach into Central Florida, a high-traffic hub for both domestic and international travelers. Together, these additions significantly strengthen our presence along the East Coast and provide travelers with even more convenient, direct access to the beauty and warmth of the U.S. Virgin Islands,” shares Commissioner Joseph Boschulte. “This further reiterates the Territory’s growing prowess as a premier destination and is a direct reflection of the tenacity and commitment of the Department of Tourism team, who continue working tirelessly to elevate our home on the global stage.”

ABOUT THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
About 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands comprise a United States territory located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The three islands are St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, where the capital of Charlotte Amalie is located. Perfect for leisure or business travel, the U.S. Virgin Islands features breathtaking, world-renowned beaches, an international marine industry, European architecture, and a burgeoning restaurant industry. No passports are required from U.S. citizens traveling from the U.S. mainland or Puerto Rico. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are equivalent to entering the United States from any international country. Upon departure, a passport is required for non-U.S. citizens. For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to www.VisitUSVI.com.

For full details, please see the official press release from Southwest Airlines below.

CHOOSE WHAT YOU PREFER! NEW FARE BUNDLES, EXTRA LEGROOM SEATS, ASSIGNED SEATING, AND ST. THOMAS, USVI, NOW ON SALE

News provided by Southwest Airlines Co.

Jul 29, 2025, 07:30 ET

• Airline will begin its new seating and boarding process January 27, 2026
• Seat maps on Southwest.com allow Customers to choose the seat they prefer

DALLAS, July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) Customers have more choice from booking to arrival beginning today with assigned and premium seating available for purchase at Southwest.com®. In addition, the airline’s previously announced service to St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands is now on sale.

The Choice is Yours
All tickets purchased for travel starting Jan. 27, 2026, will feature assigned seating.  Moreover, Southwest Airlines® Customers can choose their preferred fare bundle, including the opportunity to purchase assigned and premium seating and select a seat at booking. Customers connecting into the Southwest® network from transoceanic journeys with airline partners, currently Icelandair and China Airlines, will be able to select seats for all flights in their itineraries. Flights operating until Jan. 27, 2026, will continue with open seating.

See You in St. Thomas
St. Thomas, USVI – the first of three new destinations Southwest plans to announce this summer – is now available for booking at Southwest.com for year-round trips. The first daily roundtrip flight between St. Thomas and Orlando is scheduled for Feb. 5, 2026. Peak-day service to and from Baltimore/Washington is slated to begin Feb. 7, 2026.

Southwest will volunteer its next new destination when its schedule is extended in August.

Seeking the Sun
Southwest’s schedule is available for booking through March 4, 2026, and the airline is giving Customers many sunny locales to choose from during the coldest months. Seasonal service on numerous routes connecting the northeast and Florida is set to return, as is service connecting the upper Midwest to Phoenix and Palm Springs, Calif. Customers in four locations looking to beat the Spring Break crowds at Orlando’s theme parks are in luck–the airline is returning seasonal service between Orlando and Boston, Portland, Maine, Salt Lake City, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline1. By empowering its more than 72,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 140 million Customers carried in 2024. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

1 Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q1 2025
2 Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of June 30, 2025