Southwest Airlines Multi-Stop Routes: A Detailed Look
Southwest Airlines, ranked as the world’s fourth-largest carrier for September flights with 3,733 daily services, is undergoing significant changes to enhance its financial performance. Notable for its multi-leg journeys, the airline operates long, same-aircraft services under a single flight number using its 804 Boeing 737s in the United States. Although passengers cannot book these extensive routes as a single ticket from start to finish, they have the option to disembark and reboard at various stops on separate tickets, a method previously adopted by some travelers.
Intriguing Routes with Six Stops
An analysis of Southwest’s flight schedule via Cirium Diio reveals four unique routes with six flights in September. All these routes are scheduled to be operated by the 143-seat 737-700, though substitutions may occur. As Southwest often adjusts its schedules, the route details may vary in future months. It is typically feasible to book only a segment of such routes on a single ticket.
| Flight Number | Full Routing in September | Days of Operating* | First Flight Departs At** | Last Flight Lands At*** | Total Nautical Miles (km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WN39 | Greenville/Spartanburg-Baltimore-Albuquerque-Dallas Love-Houston Hobby-St Louis-Minneapolis | Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays | 07:40 | 22:05 | 3,520 (6,519) |
| WN1917 | Salt Lake City-Chicago Midway-Louisville-Dallas Love-Albuquerque-Phoenix-Nashville | Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays | 05:00 | 22:35 | 4,008 (7,423) |
| WN2245 | Sacramento-San Diego-San Antonio-Oklahoma City-Denver-Reno-Burbank | Sundays | 06:40 | 21:20 | 3,206 (5,938) |
| WN2703 | Memphis-Chicago Midway-Tucson-Las Vegas-Orange County-Sacramento-Seattle | Sundays | 07:05 | 19:10 | 3,059 (5,665) |
* In September
** Local time
*** Local time
A Day in the Life of Flight WN1917
Flight WN1917, starting at 05:00 from Salt Lake City, is the earliest departure among the routes. It reaches Chicago Midway, its third-busiest airport, at 09:00 local time, allowing for connectivity with other flights. Following a stop at Louisville, the flight proceeds to Dallas Love—Southwest’s most-served route—concluding its half-day journey there.
Subsequent stops include Albuquerque, Phoenix, and finally Nashville, landing at 22:35 local time. By then, the flight covers 4,008 nautical miles (7,423 km), comparable to the distance between Seattle and London Heathrow.
Additional Routes with Five Stops
Beyond these, 15 more routes feature five stops, such as WN3546, operating Sundays from Houston Hobby to San Diego, covering 3,288 nautical miles (6,089 km). Before its journey, the flight had an early departure from Tucson, indicating earlier activity in the day.
- Southwest Airlines IATA Code: WN
- ICAO Code: SWA
- Airline Type: Low-Cost Carrier
Southwest Airlines’ extensive use of multi-stop routes demonstrates its strategy to maximize aircraft usage while providing unique travel experiences across its widespread network.
