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Joe Breitfeller
Jul 202 min read

Southwest Airlines Applies to U.S. DOT to launch New Service Between Washington National and Las Vegas

Southwest Airlines has announced that they have submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation to start new daily nonstop service between Reagan Washington National Airport and Las Vegas.


Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX - Courtesy Southwest Airlines

On Wednesday (July 17, 2024), Southwest Airlines announced that they have submitted an application to the U.S. Department Transportation (DOT) to start new daily nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. and Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS).  The new direct service would provide lower fares and more competition between DCA and LAS, as well as onward to Sacramento (SMF).  Southwest is petitioning for one of five new roundtrip flights authorized at DCA through the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.


In Wednesday’s announcement, Southwest Airlines’ Vice President of Network Planning, Brook Sorem, said,


“The DCA to LAS route delivers what’s most important to Customers—choice and flexibility. We believe more Customers will benefit from lower fares while enjoying the airline that offers legendary Hospitality and unrivaled flexibility.”


Also commenting on Southwest’s proposed DCA-LAS service, Clark County’s Director of Aviation, Rosemary Vassiliadis, added,


“We have seen a great deal of enthusiasm from our local elected leaders, national unions, utility companies, and the business community in support of this proposed route.  Providing this much-needed service between the nation's capital and the sports and entertainment capital of the world will open up new opportunities for business and leisure travelers by enhancing competition, expanding access and decreasing ticket prices.”


The route between Reagan National and Las Vegas is currently underserved with only one daily nonstop flight by another carrier.  If Southwest wins the pair of slots ay DCA, the airline will provide the first ever head-to-head competition in the nonstop market between the cities.  As part of Southwest’s DOT application, the carrier also proposes to provide the only one stop/no plane change service between DCA and Sacramento International Airport (SMF) via LAS.  Currently, there is no direct service between DCA and Sacramento. 


 

Source: Southwest Airlines

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