Southwest Airlines has officially entered the world of overnight travel, launching its first five red-eye flights on Thursday night. The inaugural routes departed from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, heading to destinations in the eastern United States.
To mark the occasion, Southwest celebrated with passengers by distributing gift bags and commemorative cards. The airline’s initial red-eye schedule includes daily flights connecting Las Vegas to Baltimore and Orlando, Los Angeles to Baltimore and Nashville, and Phoenix to Baltimore. By June, the carrier plans to expand its overnight offerings to 33 daily flights.
The introduction of red-eye service is part of Southwest's broader commercial strategy aimed at improving financial performance. The plan, developed last year, also includes cost-cutting measures and upcoming service enhancements such as assigned seating and extra legroom options, set to debut in 2026. The airline has struggled to keep pace with competitors like Delta, United, Alaska, and American Airlines since the pandemic.
Southwest is emphasizing red-eye flights as a way to maximize aircraft utilization and improve connectivity. The airline highlighted its upcoming overnight service from Honolulu to Las Vegas, launching in April, which will boost available itineraries for Honolulu travelers by 50% through expanded connection opportunities. Currently, nearly 75% of Southwest passengers booked on red-eye flights are also taking connecting flights within the airline’s network.
Additionally, Thursday marked the beginning of Southwest’s new interline partnership with Icelandair, its first such agreement in decades. Initially, Icelandair will sell shared itineraries through its booking channels, with connections available in Baltimore. Later this year, Denver and Nashville will be added as connecting hubs. Southwest plans to begin selling Icelandair segments directly once assigned seating is implemented.
With red-eye flights and faster turnaround times, Southwest expects to gain the equivalent of 18 additional aircraft in operational efficiency, further strengthening its network and financial outlook.
