(OKLAHOMA CITY) Southwest Airlines will resume nonstop service between Oklahoma City (OKC) Will Rogers World Airport and Dallas Love Field (DAL), with two daily flights starting March 5, 2026. The airline and airport officials announced the decision on August 14, 2025, confirming the return of a route that local flyers have asked for since it ended in January 2020. Tickets are already available on the Southwest website, and the carrier describes the move as a direct response to steady demand from Oklahoma City travelers who want a fast, no-connection option to Dallas.
“This is one of the most requested routes we hear about,” said Jeff Mulder, Director of Airports in Oklahoma City. “I know Oklahoma City will be happy to hear that Dallas Love Field flights are returning. Southwest Airlines served the route until January 2020, and it has been a frequent request of local travelers to bring that flight back. We appreciate Southwest’s ongoing commitment to our community and passengers.” His remarks reflect what many business and leisure travelers in central Oklahoma have said for years: the drive is long and unpredictable, and a short hop saves time and stress.
Southwest Airlines last operated the OKC–DAL nonstop until early 2020, when it was cut during wide network changes tied to shifts in travel demand. The airline’s decision to restore the flights comes as more people are traveling for work and family again. For Oklahoma City, the return of direct service to Dallas keeps more trips within the region and supports local companies with ties to North Texas. It also gives flyers a simple way to reach a major city with many onward options.
Route resumes after six-year gap
The relaunch carries extra weight because it arrives alongside other network changes.
- Starting in March 2026, Southwest will also expand OKC–Nashville and OKC–Chicago Midway to twice daily.
- At the same time, the airline will be withdrawing service from St. Louis and San Antonio in spring 2026.
This mix shows a tighter focus on city pairs that draw strong year-round bookings and steady business travel. Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests the airline is concentrating aircraft where local demand is strongest and trimming weaker performers.
For travelers, the headline is simple: two daily nonstops each way will cut travel time, remove the need to connect, and make day trips possible again. Dallas is a key regional gateway, and many passengers prefer Dallas Love Field’s smaller footprint and quick curb-to-gate experience. With the OKC link back:
- Families can plan weekend visits more easily.
- Small business owners can meet clients and return the same evening.
- Students can reach internships and events without an overnight stay.
Booking is open now on www.southwest.com, and seats are available for trips on or after March 5, 2026. Southwest hasn’t released a final schedule by flight number, but the airline says there will be two nonstop departures daily in each direction, offering morning and later-day options that work for both business and leisure travel.
The move also affects the region’s economy. Local chambers often point to quick air links as a factor when companies weigh where to add jobs. A nonstop that saves hours compared with a connection can be the difference between attending an in-person meeting or skipping it. In practical terms, the return of OKC–DAL makes same-day trips more realistic for sales calls, site visits, and family events.
What travelers should know
Here’s how to book the new flights now that they’re in the system:
- Go to www.southwest.com.
- Enter departure city as Oklahoma City (OKC) and destination as Dallas Love Field (DAL).
- Choose travel dates on or after March 5, 2026.
- Pick one of the two daily nonstop options.
- Pay and confirm using standard Southwest steps.
- For groups of 10 or more, call 1-800-433-5368 for group reservations.
Additional contact and prep resources:
- Southwest customer service: 1-800-435-9792
- Airport updates (terminal services, parking): www.flyokc.com
- U.S. ID and screening guidance: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id
Important: Check ID rules and TSA screening guidance before travel. That DHS page explains official identification standards for air travel inside the United States.
Southwest’s choice to add flights to Nashville and Chicago Midway while exiting St. Louis and San Antonio shows how the airline is reshaping its map. While that may disappoint some travelers, the return of OKC–DAL confirms the carrier is listening to Oklahoma City feedback. People have consistently asked for the route since 2020, and the new plan gives them the nonstop they want along with added frequency to two other popular cities.
Who benefits and why it matters
Aviation watchers see this as a marker of steady recovery in regional demand. Day-trippers, especially, stand to gain.
- Shorter travel times make it easier to choose flying over driving on I-35.
- New Americans and visa holders in central Oklahoma get a simpler route for visits and events.
- Parents visiting campuses, contractors moving between job sites, and patients attending medical appointments in North Texas benefit from shorter travel days.
For those comparing airports, Dallas Love Field is known for fast check-in and shorter walks, which can make tight timelines easier. Many travelers from Oklahoma City prefer DAL for day trips for that reason alone.
Local businesses expect smoother team travel to North Texas clients and partners, and weekend travelers will have more flexibility with two daily nonstops offering more choice for departure and return times.
Looking ahead
Southwest will monitor bookings and adjust if needed. The airline has signaled it could consider more frequency on strong routes if demand rises, while continuing to trim flights that don’t meet targets.
Jeff Mulder’s message reflects a broader community view: nonstop links help keep Oklahoma City connected in a way that supports families and jobs. After several years without a direct Dallas option, the announcement offers a clear win for frequent flyers and occasional travelers alike.
Passengers who want to plan early should check fares now, as prices can change as seats sell. Booking ahead for spring 2026 trips—especially around holidays, major sports events, and graduations—can make it easier to secure preferred times. While exact departure slots haven’t been published, the promise of two daily nonstops sets expectations for morning and later-day choices.
Southwest Airlines’ decision restores a familiar pattern for the region: short flights, quick meetings, and same-day returns. For many in Oklahoma City (OKC), that rhythm can make the difference between going and not going. With tickets on sale and a firm start date, travelers can once again plan on a direct path to Dallas Love Field (DAL)—no connections, no long drives, just a short hop down the road.
This Article in a Nutshell
Southwest announced August 14, 2025 that OKC–DAL nonstop service returns March 5, 2026 with two daily flights, easing business travel, enabling same-day trips, and responding to persistent local demand; booking is open at www.southwest.com for morning and later-day nonstop options beginning spring 2026.
