Southwest Airlines To Begin Offering Red-Eye Flights

Southwest Airlines is offering red-eye flights for the first time.

At the Routes Americas 2024 Travel Conference, the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer Ryan Green said that the carrier plans to add overnight flights from Las Vegas and Hawaii. The conference is the region’s leading air service development event, bringing together senior industry professionals from airlines, airports, and destinations.

According to The Washington Post, Green admitted the airline still has issues to work out before the flights commence. The airline “hopes to get them in the air in about two years,” with the opportunity for about 50 red-eye flights a day.

Southwest has not yet started offering redeye flights, but it has added flights that involve overnight layovers at six airports: Baltimore, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago Midway, and Oakland. 

Historically, Southwest Airlines has built a reputation for its unique approach to air travel, including all-economy unassigned seating and complimentary checked bags. However, introducing red-eye flights represents a significant milestone in its evolution as an airline.

Red-eye flights are typically flights that occur overnight. They are sometimes less expensive than daytime flights.

Southwest’s official website also recently announced that the airline is bringing back its Companion Pass promotion. This popular Pass allows Southwest’s Rapid Rewards Members to designate one person to fly with them for free each time a customer purchases or redeems points for a flight.

“We know the Companion Pass is a favorite perk of our Rapid Rewards program, and we’re thrilled to bring back this promotion for a limited time so that Customers can experience why this popular benefit is so meaningful,” said Jonathan Clarkson, vice president of marketing at Southwest Airlines. “We invite our Customers to take advantage of this offer because traveling with your favorite Companion supports sharing of adventures and creating memories that can last a lifetime.” 

To use the Companion Pass, travelers must register and purchase a qualifying round-trip ticket or two one-way flights before March 27, 2024, and travel by May 22. Then, a companion can fly free with them from August 5 through Oct. 2, 2024.