Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Southwest taking reservations for new nonstop Vegas-to-Dallas flights

Luxor

A Southwest Airlines flight approaches McCarran International Airport with the Luxor in the background.

Southwest Airlines started accepting reservations today for new nonstop service from McCarran International Airport to Dallas Love Field. The flights begin Oct. 13.

The mid-October starting date coincides with the expiration of a 35-year-old federal law that limited most nonstop flights in and out of Love Field – Southwest’s home base – to destinations Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Kansas, Alabama, Missisippi and Missouri.

Departing nonstop flights from Las Vegas are scheduled for 8:20 a.m., 11:55 a.m. and 4:50 p.m. daily. A fourth daily nonstop departing at 2:55 p.m. will begin Nov. 2. Return nonstop flights from Love Field are scheduled for 10:25 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:55 p.m. daily. A fourth daily nonstop flight departing Dallas at 6:25 a.m. will begin Nov. 2.

Published fares run from $99 to $535 each way, according to Southwest's website.

The so-called Wright Amendment, named after Jim Wright, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, was designed to spur growth at what was then the new Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Las Vegas, Baltimore, Chicago’s Midway Airport, Denver and Orlando are the first five cities getting the new nonstop Southwest flights into Dallas. Flights between Love Field and 10 other cities begin Nov. 2.

Currently Southwest customers in Las Vegas can fly to and from Love Field, which is closer to downtown Dallas than Dallas-Fort Worth International, but only on flights making a stop in one of the exempted states.

Aviation experts have speculated that Southwest’s expansion in Dallas could lower fares in the market.

“The official repeal of Wright Amendment federal flight restrictions signifies a turning point for the Southwest brand not just in Dallas, but from coast to coast,” Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines chairman, president and CEO, said in a statement in February. “We are pleased to offer this new service to the customers of our home airport, who have waited 34 long years.”

Southwest is the largest carrier at McCarran.

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