Low-fare Southwest Airlines will more than double flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) with seven new nonstop routes and additional connecting itineraries beginning this summer. By year's end, the low-cost airline will offer 44 daily departures to 14 destinations from Washington National.
Ron Ricks, executive vice president and chief legal and regulatory officer, said the airline had been interested in expanding at Washington National for a long time. Now that American and US Airways are merging, the two airlines had to give up some take-off and landing slots at the airport to gain regulatory approval and foster competition.
"We've been interested in expanding at Washington National for a long time,” said Ricks. “Southwest appreciates the efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice in making this historic opportunity possible and providing us with the ability to grow at this important airport.”
He also thanked the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) for its leadership in providing convenient accommodation for the new flights.
Special Introductory Pricing
The new service will begin with special introductory pricing as low as $84 for travel every day except Fridays and Sundays (although some tickets may be available on those days under certain circumstances under limited quantities).
Flyers must purchase the tickets between March 24 and March 27, 2014 at 11:59 pm in the respective time zone of the originating city.
The low-cost tickets are available for travel between Washington Reagan National Airport and Chicago (Midway), Washington Reagan National Airport and Nashville, and Washington Reagan National Airport and New Orleans between Aug. 11 and Oct. 30.
Travel between San Francisco and St. Louis and Washington Reagan National Airport and Tampa Bay is available Sept. 30 through Oct. 30. Travel between Omaha and Los Angeles (LAX) is available June 9 through June 30.
Some flights operated by AirTran Airways. The low pricing includes all U.S. and international government taxes and fees. Seats are limited. Fares may vary by destination, flight, and day of week and won't be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods.
The nonrefundable fares are available for one-way travel and may be combined with other Southwest Airlines combinable fares; if so the most restrictive rules apply. As long as flyers cancel at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled flight departure, the fare may be applied to future travel, but there is no cash refund. Other rules also apply. Contact the airline for specifics.
New Flights
Beginning Aug. 10, Southwest Airlines will add daily, nonstop flights between Washington National Airport and:
- Chicago (Midway) with six roundtrips at introductory fares as low as $119 one-way
- Nashville with three roundtrips at introductory fares as low as $129 one-way
- New Orleans with two roundtrips at introductory fares as low as $129 one-way
Beginning Sept. 30, Southwest will further add to its DCA service:
- Tampa Bay, with two roundtrips at introductory fares as low as $84 one-way
- Three additional flights to Chicago (Midway) for a total of nine daily roundtrips. This expanded pattern of service to Midway will also enable Southwest to provide convenient one-stop and connecting flights throughout the day between DCA and more than 40 other cities across the United States. Flights and fares are available now at southwest.com.
Beginning Nov. 2, Southwest Airlines will add additional daily nonstop service between Washington Reagan National Airport and:
- Akron-Canton (new route)
- Dallas Love Field (new route)
- Houston (Hobby) (additional flights)
- Indianapolis (new route)
- St. Louis (additional flights)
The carrier will publish its November schedules in mid-May.
Southwest Airlines also announced new service between:
- St. Louis and San Francisco, daily nonstop roundtrip begins Sept. 30 at introductory fares as low as $119 one-way
- Los Angeles and Omaha, daily nonstop roundtrip begins June 9 at introductory fares as low as $159 one-way
- St. Louis and Los Angeles, third daily nonstop roundtrip begins June 8
- Boise and Los Angeles, (Saturday only) nonstop roundtrip begins June 14
For more information, visit www.southwest.com.