Southwest Airlines Announces New Flights To Mountainous Destination
Anchorage, Alaska — Southwest Airlines has been making numerous changes lately, some of which haven’t been met too kindly by skiers and outdoor recreationists (source: me, a skier). However, there’s one new change that should excite many in the outdoor community.
Yesterday, Southwest Airlines announced that Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) will be added to its route lineup starting in the first half of 2026. The connections to and from Anchorage have yet to be announced.
“We’re adding destinations that once seemed inconceivable for Southwest in order to build a route network that creates new experiences and more possibilities than ever before,” said Andrew Watterson, the Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Airlines. “We look forward to connecting our Customers to the rich history and culture of Anchorage and connecting the 49th state to our vast domestic network.”
“Air travel is a lifeline in Alaska, and Southwest’s arrival in Anchorage is a major win for our communities,” said Ryan Anderson, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. “This service will provide more affordable, reliable connections for Alaskans and help share our great state with more visitors than ever before.”
I’m curious to see if it will be a seasonal or year-round offering from Southwest. If it becomes year-round, it can be a good flight option for those looking to make ski trips to Alyeska, among other local ski areas around Anchorage.
Ultimately, this is a nice addition by Southwest. They should follow this up by making bags free again.
Image Credits: Yuhan Du, Visit Anchorage, David Syphers
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