Southwest Airlines is set to expand its international presence with the launch of its longest-ever international route from Las Vegas to San José, Costa Rica. Beginning on October 1, 2026, this new daily flight will cover a distance of 2,297 nautical miles (4,254 kilometers) each way, marking a significant milestone for the airline, which has primarily focused on domestic operations since its inception over 54 years ago.
The Las Vegas to San José route will become the airline’s first nonstop service to this popular Central American destination. Previously, the airline’s longest commercial route was from Denver to San José, which covered 2,283 nautical miles (4,428 kilometers) but has since been surpassed. This change reflects Southwest’s strategic efforts to diversify its flight offerings and tap into the growing demand for travel between the United States and Central America.
In the past year, over 38,000 round-trip passengers traveled between Las Vegas and San José, making this route the second-largest unserved market for flights to the Costa Rican capital from the US, just behind Boston, which recorded 62,000 passengers.
Expanding International Operations
As Southwest Airlines continues to grow its international services, the addition of the Las Vegas to San José flight is part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity across the Western US. The airline’s first international flight took place in July 2014, and since then, international operations have accounted for only 2% of its total flights.
The new route will operate daily with a 137-seat Boeing 737-700, which will also mark Southwest’s first overnight international flight. Passengers departing Las Vegas will leave at 11:20 PM and arrive in San José at 6:00 AM the following day. This overnight service is a significant development for the airline, which only recently introduced red-eye flights on domestic routes.
Southwest’s expansion into the international market is expected to attract not only direct travelers but also connecting passengers from various cities across the Western US. Key cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Phoenix will likely contribute to the demand for this new service.
Comparative Route Analysis
The Las Vegas to San José flight replaces the Denver to San José route as the longest international service for Southwest Airlines. While the Denver route had operated since March 2023 with lower frequency, the new Las Vegas service will be a daily operation, allowing for better accessibility and increased passenger capacity.
According to data from the US Department of Transportation for the period from December 2024 to November 2025, the Denver route managed to achieve a high load factor of 90.2% despite carrying only 12,114 passengers. This suggests a strong demand for flights to Costa Rica, which Southwest aims to capitalize on with its new route.
As Southwest Airlines prepares for this significant launch, the airline is poised to enhance its operational footprint in the international arena, providing more options for travelers seeking connections to Central America.
