Southwest Airlines announced an expanded schedule for the 2026 college football season beginning later in August, adding new flights and temporary routes to accommodate increased travel demand around game days. The airline also plans extra services on days before and after college football matchups.
NFL Matchups and Non-Regular City Pairs
For the 2026 NFL season, Southwest will support about 19 matchups, including service between city pairs not normally covered by the airline. These include Minneapolis/St. Paul to New Orleans, Kansas City to Seattle, Miami to Boston, Cleveland to New Orleans, and Milwaukee to Boston.
Additional Flights for Autumn Events
Southwest is adding flights for volleyball games in late August and early
September in Omaha, Nebraska, as well as for music festivals in Columbus and Las Vegas scheduled for the weekend of September 19, 2026. The airline will also increase service during October for a hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Austin City Limits Music Festival, and a half-marathon event in Orlando, Florida.
Tickets for these special event flights have been made available to travelers. These expanded schedules provide more options and flexibility for passengers traveling during busy periods tied to college and professional football seasons as well as other major autumn events, according to AirlineGeeks.com.
