For the first time since 2021, Southwest Airlines has revealed a new international service destination.
On Wednesday morning, the budget airline announced its third new destination for 2026, third new destination for 2026, Caribbean paradise St. Maarten. Southwest had previously shared it was bringing service to Knoxville, Tennessee and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands next year.
Southwest flights to Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) will debut April 7, 2026.
“The rumors were true… we’re excited to launch service to St. Maarten!” Southwest said in an Instagram post.
“Flights to St. Maarten will take off on April 7, 2026. With stunning beaches, a vibrant blend of French and Dutch cultures and rich history, your travel bucket list just got a new location.
“Where do you want to see us land next?”
St. Maarten trips start with two major hubs
According to Southwest, the company will begin flying roundtrip once daily between Orlando and St. Maarten on April 7.
Two days later, that flight schedule will expand to include “peak schedule service” on Saturdays and Sundays between St. Maarten and Baltimore/Washington.
“These nonstop routes allow roundtrip connections with more than 45 airports across the U.S.,” Southwest said.
St. Maarten consists of the Sint Maarten, which is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Saint-Martin, which is a French overseas collectivity.
Three other Southwest announcements Tuesday
In addition to the St. Maarten news, Southwest Airlines confirmed its new partnership with Taiwan’s EVA Air. The two companies will operate joint itineraries between North America and Asia using their shared American flight hubs: Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.
Also, Southwest will begin running a seasonal route from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and Panama City, Florida on Saturdays, beginning April 9, 2026.
Finally, the airline will operate nonstop service between Knoxville
and Denver on Saturdays and Sundays beginning April 9 of next year. That route will also be seasonal.
