Southwest Picks Up JetBlue’s Long Beach Slots
Adding 17 slots doubles the carrier’s operations at the Los Angeles area airport, is expected to add more nonstop flights
Southwest Airlines has been awarded all 17 of JetBlue’s permanent flight slots at Long Beach Airport, as JetBlue is set to exit the Los Angeles area airport. JetBlue’s last day of service there is Oct. 6.
Southwest has not announced new destinations yet, but according to a statement from the city, the airline is expected to increase its current offering of nonstop destinations from Long Beach.
Earlier this year the airline announced new nonstop service to Phoenix and Austin. The Phoenix flights begin this month, with Austin set for a November launch. The move comes as the carrier says it is tailoring its fall schedule to meet the demands of business travelers
Southwest first offered service from Long Beach in 2016 and has expanded its presence ever since. The addition of the 17 slots doubles Southwest’s capacity at the airport to 34 slots. The carrier with the next largest number is Delta, with 12.
