Introduction to Southwest’s New Overnight Routes

Back in March 2024, Southwest Airlines made an exciting announcement that it would be launching its first red-eye, or overnight, flights. Now, as flight schedules reveal more details, passengers have several new options to look forward to starting next year. The first overnight flights are scheduled to depart on February 13, 2025, marking the beginning of a new era for Southwest.

Initial Overnight Flight Routes

The inaugural overnight flights will depart from Las Vegas to both Baltimore and Orlando, marking the start of Southwest’s overnight operations. These flights will take off on February 13, 2025, and arrive at their destinations on February 14, 2025. Additional routes launching on the same date include flights from Los Angeles to Baltimore and Nashville, as well as from Phoenix to Baltimore.

Additional Routes and Future Plans

Southwest Airlines has also been quietly adding more red-eye flights to its roster, which will commence on March 6, 2025. These include routes such as Las Vegas to Atlanta, departing at 11:00 p.m. and arriving at 5:45 a.m. the next day, Phoenix to Orlando, and Los Angeles to Houston (Hobby Airport). Travelers can also expect new routes from San Diego, CA and Sacramento, CA to Baltimore, MD. These new routes were first reported by SimplyFlying and represent Southwest’s multi-year transformation into a 24-hour operation.

The Benefits of Overnight Flights

Overnight flights offer several benefits for travelers, including the ability to avoid “losing a day” to travel and increased options for flight connections. From Southwest’s business perspective, these flights will enhance revenue by adding additional flight capacity, providing more tickets for sale. As detailed in a July 2024 investor update, Southwest plans to phase in more red-eye flights according to the carrier’s evolving schedules.