Southwest to Launch Service to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in Early 2026
In a significant expansion of its Caribbean footprint, Southwest Airlines announced plans to begin service to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands starting in early 2026. This marks the first time since 2021 that the airline is adding new destinations to its network.
The new route will operate through Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) and further expands Southwest’s reach into the Atlantic Basin, making St. Thomas the ninth island destination in the region served by the carrier. The airline’s Caribbean network already includes Aruba, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“We are listening closely to what our Customers want—from new products and loyalty benefits to new destinations,” said Bob Jordan, President, CEO, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines. “This is another meaningful step in our ongoing transformation.”
A Major Milestone for the U.S. Virgin Islands
Local leaders praised the move as a catalyst for greater accessibility and economic opportunity in the U.S. territory.
“We are excited at the announcement of new airlift into St. Thomas with Southwest Airlines,” said Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. “This expands our connectivity and creates seamless travel options for visitors.”
“Today marks an exciting milestone for the U.S. Virgin Islands and our growing tourism industry,” added Governor Albert Bryan Jr. “We look forward to greeting new travelers to our beautiful island home.”
New Era of Travel Products
The St. Thomas service is just the first of three new destinations Southwest expects to reveal this summer. Alongside new routes, the airline is also rolling out premium seating and fare bundles, with assigned seating options launching in Q3 2025 and reconfigured aircraft with extra legroom coming in Q1 2026.
With this announcement, Southwest continues its evolution into a more flexible, customer-focused airline, enhancing both its network and onboard experience while maintaining its signature low-cost model.
Ticket sales for the St. Thomas service are expected to open soon.
