Southwest Airlines Grows to Largest Schedule Ever at PIT with 3 New Destinations

Southwest Airlines is increasing its investment in Pittsburgh, adding three new nonstop destinations for Summer 2027 and upping service on several existing routes. 

Beginning June 5, 2027, Southwest will launch Saturday-only nonstop service from PIT to Panama City, Fla. (ECP); Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ); and Savannah, Ga. (SAV) for the summer season.  

Southwest’s Summer 2027 schedule will be their largest ever offered from PIT, demonstrating continued investment in the Pittsburgh market. Southwest also added new service in 2026. 

The additions will bring Southwest’s PIT network to 25 nonstop destinations – the most of any airline. Southwest also leads in number of passengers at PIT with the airline carrying 26 percent of passenger traffic followed closely by American at 23 percent. 

Southwest is also responding to demand by increasing frequencies on several popular routes for Summer 2027: 

• Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (VPS): Saturday-only service in Summer 2026 will increase to daily service in Summer 2027. 

• Cancun, Mexico (CUN): Up to two weekly flights offered with a new flight on Sundays 

• Tampa (TPA): Up to four daily flights offered. 

• Las Vegas (LAS): Up to two daily flights offered. 

Southwest’s two decades of steady growth at PIT 

Southwest first started service at PIT in May 2005, with four destinations. It marked the beginning of the airport’s pivot from a major connecting hub to an origin-and-destination airport. Southwest was the first low-cost carrier to bring service to PIT as part of the airport’s strategy to enhance competition, reduce fares and create more options for Pittsburghers. 

“Southwest has been an incredible partner to Pittsburgh International Airport since its arrival over 20 years ago, helping transform air service in our region,” said Joe Rotterdam, PIT’s Vice President of Air Service Development. “The airline has grown to become our busiest carrier, a testament to the strength of our market. From supporting our new terminal program, to adding new destinations, Southwest has consistently invested in Pittsburgh, and we look forward to building on that partnership for years to come.” 

Florida remains a top destination for PIT travelers 

Florida continues to be one of the largest markets for Pittsburgh travelers. More than one in four passengers traveling through PIT now fly to Florida, up from approximately one in five a decade ago. 

With the addition of Panama City, Southwest will serve another Florida destination from PIT, bringing the airport’s total to 16 Florida airports with nonstop service, up from 11 a decade ago.

The new Panama City service gives Pittsburgh travelers another option for reaching Florida’s Gulf Coast and represents the first time in PIT’s history nonstop service to this airport has been offered. 

Growing demand for Caribbean travel 

Southwest’s new Punta Cana service also adds capacity to a growing international leisure market.  

Demand for Caribbean travel from Pittsburgh is growing, up 15 percent year over year during the first half of 2026, prompting airlines to add seats and service for 2027. With the increase in service, PIT will have more Caribbean flights than at any point in at least 20 years, giving travelers more options. 

Southwest will become the third airline offering nonstop service between PIT and Punta Cana, joining American Airlines, which offers Saturday-only seasonal service which resumes Dec. 19, and Breeze Airways, which will launch three weekly (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday) flights beginning Jan. 7, 2027. 

In addition to Punta Cana, Southwest will also increase their nonstop service to Cancun. The route is typically operated on Saturday only but will increase to add a Sunday service as well for Summer 2027. 

Southwest’s expansion further strengthens PIT’s growing nonstop network as the airport and its airline partners continue to add destinations and capacity in response to traveler demand.