Southwest Adds St. Maarten, First New International Destination Since 2021

Southwest Airlines unveiled its first new international destination since 2021 with planned flights to the Caribbean island of St. Maarten, which also becomes the third new destination the airline has announced this summer.

As it maneuvered through financial struggles and announced a series of changes to its business model—including adding bag fees, assigned seating and premium offerings—the airline shied away from starting service at new airports. But the carrier has now added three network points this summer—the U.S. Virgin Islands; Knoxville, Tennessee; and St. Maarten—with flights to start next year.

From April 7, 2026, Southwest will open daily service between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in St. Maarten. From April 9, the all-Boeing 737 operator will kick off 2X-weekly service between Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) and SXM.

When Southwest revealed earlier this summer that it would add Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) on the island of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands to its network—its first airport addition of any kind since 2021—it promised to announce two more new points this summer. The announcement of flights to SXM comes shortly after the airline revealed it will start service from McGhee Tyson Airport (TSY) in Knoxville in March 2026.

Routes from TSY starting in March 2026 include 2X-daily service to Nashville, Tennessee and daily service to BWI, Dallas Love Field and MCO. The carrier will also start 2X-weekly seasonal service between TSY and Denver from April 9, 2026.

Flights to STT will start in February with service from BWI and MCO.

St. Maarten expands Southwest’s Caribbean network, which currently includes Aruba, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Beyond the Caribbean, Southwest offers international service to Belize, two destinations in Costa Rica and three in Mexico.

The carrier has recently signaled interest in further expanding its international offerings.

TSY celebrated Southwest’s arrival. “The addition of Southwest Airlines to our airport is an historic milestone for our community,” said Howard Vogel, chairman of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority’s board of commissioners. “After years of dedicated pursuit, their arrival at McGhee Tyson Airport represents far more than new flights—it’s another gateway to national connectivity.”