Southwest Adds More Nonstop Flights From Milwaukee to 19 Destinations

(MILWAUKEE) Southwest Airlines is expanding its network from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) with new and increased nonstop flights through spring 2026, adding service to San Diego, Miami, Cancun, and Chicago–Midway, and boosting frequency to Austin. Announced with the latest schedule extension through March 2026, the moves bring Southwest’s Milwaukee footprint to 19 nonstop destinations and aim to meet strong leisure demand while giving local travelers more weekday and weekend options.

The most immediate addition is San Diego. Starting October 2, 2025, Southwest will launch new service five days a week, operating Thursday through Monday — a notable upgrade from Milwaukee’s previous summer-only, Saturday service on the carrier. The San Diego flights are timed for practical mid-day departures on most days and midday returns.

Prior to this upgrade, the direct link to San Diego on Southwest from MKE was limited to seasonal Saturdays in summer. The expansion closes that gap and opens a steadier flow for fall and winter travel plans, including family trips, conferences, and visits to California’s tech and life sciences hubs.

New routes and timing

• San Diego, California
  • New service begins October 2, 2025.
  • Depart MKE: 1:35 p.m. (Thu, Fri, Mon); 2:40 p.m. (Sat); 3:35 p.m. (Sun).
  • Return SD: 12:30 p.m. (Thu, Fri, Mon); 9:55 a.m. (Sat); 12:45 p.m. (Sun).
• Austin, Texas
  • Southwest’s 2025 launch of MKE–AUS grows with Sunday flights starting March 8, 2026, adding to existing weekday service.
• Miami, Florida
  • New Saturday service during the peak spring break period begins March 7, 2026, timed to match common cruise departure and return days.
• Cancun, Mexico
  • Nonstop flights run on Saturdays and Sundays during the spring break period in March 2026.
• Chicago–Midway, Illinois
  • Starting March 5, 2026, Southwest adds two daily flights between MKE and Chicago–Midway, the airline’s main Chicago-area airport.

“Southwest’s daily nonstop service to both San Diego and Austin connect Milwaukee with two of the best cities to visit in the U.S., and the Miami flights are timed for cruises, many of which start and end on Saturdays. By using these new flights, we can show our largest carrier that we support flight additions from MKE, which can make it easier for airlines to add more flights in the future,” said Airport Director Brian Dranzik.

Why these additions matter

• The Chicago–Midway link gives Milwaukee flyers access to Southwest’s extensive Midway operation, enabling smoother connections across the airline’s national network.
• Weekend-focused Miami and Cancun service aligns with spring break and cruise patterns, appealing to families and college travelers.
• Increased frequency to Austin adds flexibility for both business and leisure travelers, especially with the addition of Sunday service.

Context and outlook

• MKE recorded a 5% increase in 2024, serving more than 6.3 million passengers.
• The airport saw a 9% decline in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024 (2,874,530 passengers from January to June 2025).
• Southwest remains MKE’s largest carrier, and airport and business leaders view these new and increased flights as a push to rebuild momentum.

Southwest has also made notable policy changes in 2025 that could affect traveler choices:

• In July 2025, the airline announced assigned seating.
• Earlier in 2025 it ended its longstanding promise of free checked bags for all passengers.

These shifts drew public scrutiny and may influence how travelers choose carriers on overlapping routes. For now, Milwaukee’s expanded map suggests Southwest is betting that schedule convenience and more nonstop choices will matter to local customers.

Competitive dynamics

• On Milwaukee–Miami, American Airlines currently offers the only other direct flights, also seasonal.
• Southwest’s Saturday-only plan during spring break creates a simple weekend pattern for cruise travelers and directly competes with seasonal offerings.

Travelers can book these flights on the Southwest Airlines website and check options using MKE’s “Where We Fly” tool, which helps users see nonstop destinations, compare times, and purchase tickets. Timetables can shift as airlines fine-tune schedules, so it’s worth checking back regularly as March 2026 approaches. For official government information relevant to air travelers, the U.S. Department of Transportation maintains an Air Consumer Protection page at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer.

Industry perspective

• Analysts note Midwest carriers often rework networks in waves during schedule extensions, responding to shifting travel patterns and competition from nearby hubs.
• VisaVerge.com analysis highlights that airlines frequently adjust routes as demand changes, explaining the mix of leisure-focused weekend flying and business-friendly weekday options in Milwaukee’s updates.

Southwest’s current schedule extension runs through March 2026, and the airline is planning to remove up to 30 routes across its network in March 2026. Early indications point to the largest reductions affecting Denver and St. Louis, and there is no current sign that Milwaukee’s new routes are at risk. Still, airlines adjust plans when demand changes, so travelers should:

1. Lock in tickets early for specific dates (especially spring break).
2. Monitor schedule updates frequently.

How these routes fit traveler needs

• Families: Saturday Miami flights align with cruise schedules; Saturday and Sunday Cancun service offers weekend beach options.
• Business travelers: Weekday Austin service plus Sunday additions (from Mar. 8, 2026) provide more flexibility to start or end trips over the weekend.
• Short-haul and connection seekers: Two daily Midway flights (from Mar. 5, 2026) open many same-day connection possibilities through Chicago.

Quick reference — Key details for Milwaukee travelers

Schedules and fares are available on the Southwest website, with real-time updates as new flights load. MKE advises travelers to use its “Where We Fly” page to compare times across dates and carriers.

Important: Plans can change. Checking back often helps avoid surprises and can reveal new fare sales as spring approaches.

Airport officials remain focused on steady growth after the 2025 midyear dip. More nonstop flights, especially on popular leisure routes, can help draw travelers from southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois who want to avoid longer drives or connections. For Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), each added route builds a stronger case for more service in future schedule rounds.