Southwest Adds Another Nonstop Route to Knoxville Schedule See Where

(KNOXVILLE) Southwest Airlines will return to East Tennessee in March 2026, launching daily Nonstop service from McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) to Baltimore/Washington, Dallas Love Field, and Orlando as part of a 14-route expansion announced on Aug. 14, 2025. Tickets are on sale now, and the initial schedule covers March 5 through April 6, 2026, with as many as five daily flights tying Knoxville to major Southwest hubs.

Southwest’s return is the first sustained presence in the Knoxville market since the AirTran Airways integration years ago. The carrier is beginning with three core routes: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI), Dallas Love Field (DAL), and Orlando International (MCO) — all operated as daily Nonstop flights within the published window.

Airport officials say the move gives East Tennessee travelers direct access to larger connection banks while keeping trips simple for families, students, and small businesses. For many residents, one stop through BWI, DAL, or MCO opens paths to dozens of cities across the Southwest network, including its international gateways for Mexico and the Caribbean.

Schedules and booking

Southwest Airlines lists the Knoxville launch window as March 5–April 6, 2026, with more dates expected once the airline extends its booking calendar. The company has signaled it may refine frequency based on demand, but the plan now calls for up to five daily flights touching the three city pairs during the opening month.

Tickets are available today on the airline’s website and through travel agents. To book, travelers can use the standard flow on Southwest Airlines and choose TYS as the origin or destination.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
1. Select travel dates from March 5, 2026, onward within the published schedule.
2. Pick one of the Nonstop options: BWI, DAL, or MCO.
3. Review times and fares; check connections if you plan to continue beyond those hubs.
4. Enter passenger details and complete payment.
5. Save your confirmation and set fare alerts for future sales.

State leaders quickly embraced the expansion. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee praised the return, saying the added flights will help draw visitors and serve growing companies across the region.

Airport officials at McGhee Tyson have made a similar case, pointing to more choice, better timing, and fresh price pressure from a large low-cost carrier entering routes already served by rivals. That competition often means lower fares and more flexible schedules, especially on business-heavy days.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, adding Knoxville to the March 2026 rollout aligns with Southwest’s broader push to grow in mid-sized cities, where one new route can reshape travel habits for entire neighborhoods. The site notes that new daily options tend to boost weekend trips and help students, medical travelers, and visiting families plan around fixed calendars.

The airline’s August announcement put Knoxville among headline markets in a 14-route wave that also covers Chicago Midway, Nashville, Phoenix, and San Diego. While specific add-ons for TYS could come later, Southwest has left the door open to more service if demand holds.

What this means for travelers and local jobs

For leisure travelers, a morning Nonstop to Orlando can turn a long, two-stop journey into a weekend-friendly hop. Families headed to the Mid-Atlantic gain a direct line to BWI, a major Southwest station with easy connections up and down the East Coast. And for entrepreneurs, DAL’s central location makes quick day trips to Texas clients more practical.

Local tourism groups expect more visitors to the Smokies and to downtown Knoxville events once the flights begin. Hotels, restaurants, and attractions rely on steady weekend traffic, and new air seats often bring fresh demand from families who prefer short flights over long drives.

Business groups see upside too. Faster links to major hubs can help recruiting, shorten supplier visits, and cut travel costs when meetings shift on short notice. In a tight labor market, easy air service is one more reason a company chooses to grow in East Tennessee rather than move work elsewhere.

For travelers planning spring trips, it’s wise to book early while introductory seats are wide open. If Southwest later changes or cancels a flight, passengers can review refund and rebooking rules on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection page, which explains rights for cancellations and major schedule changes.

Southwest’s move also resets local competition. Other airlines serving TYS have grown in recent years, and the addition of a big low-fare player tends to push carriers to sharpen pricing and improve on-time performance. That’s good news for frequent flyers who split trips among several airlines based on price and schedule.

While the opening month focuses on three cities, travelers should watch for updates as Southwest extends its booking calendar. The airline often releases new blocks of travel dates several times a year, and it has left open the possibility of tweaking frequency or adding destinations after it measures early demand from Knoxville.

Quick facts and action items

• Launch window: March 5–April 6, 2026
• Routes at launch: Daily Nonstop to BWI, DAL, and MCO
• Frequency: Up to five daily flights across the three routes during the opening month
• Tickets: On sale now via Southwest Airlines or approved travel agencies
• Customer service (general or group reservations): 1-800-433-5368

Timing matters: Spring break travel, college visits, and early-season events at national parks all cluster in March and April. Launching then lets the airline test demand patterns quickly, including which days and times fill first and where extra capacity makes sense.

Tips for travelers

• Book early for March weekends — seats move.
• Set fare alerts and compare nearby airports if you have flexibility.
• Review baggage rules before checkout to avoid surprises at the counter.
• If flights change or are canceled, check passenger rights at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection page.

For Knoxville, the return of Southwest Airlines signals renewed choice and a clear link into one of the country’s largest domestic networks — a service change that affects tourism, local businesses, and everyday travelers alike.