Southwest Airlines announced on July 21, 2026, the launch of new nonstop service between Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston, Texas, starting March 11, 2027.
The airline will operate four weekly flights on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays connecting Amarillo and Houston. This schedule responds to strong community demand for nonstop travel between the two Texas cities.
The route links the Texas Panhandle directly to Houston’s Hobby Airport, a key Southwest gateway, providing improved access to additional destinations across Southwest’s eastern U.S. network as well as to Caribbean and Latin American markets.
Airline and Airport Official Statements
Catherine Rylee, Senior Network Planning Analyst at Southwest Airlines, said, “We’re excited to deepen our presence in Amarillo by adding Houston to our route map.” She added, “Whether traveling for business or leisure, this new service gives customers a convenient nonstop option while further enhancing access to other top destinations.”
Michael Conner, Director of Aviation at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, stated, “AMA’s growth depends on route additions like this one,” and noted the four weekly frequencies as an example of “demand-driven expansion” resulting in stronger connectivity to Southwest’s network. He said, “Adding four weekly frequencies to Houston reflects the
kind of demand-driven expansion we work toward with all of our carrier partners, and this service to Houston Hobby gives our travelers even stronger connections into Southwest’s growing network.”
Regional Economic and Business Impact
Jason Harrison, president and CEO of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged Southwest Airlines’ nearly 48 years of support for Amarillo and the Panhandle region. He said, “Southwest has been a vital supporter of our community for nearly 48 years” and expressed thanks that Southwest “continues to find new ways to serve our travelers and getting them to the places and moments that matter most to them.”
Andreas Eckstein, president and
CEO of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, stated, “No matter the reason for travel, we’re grateful for our strong relationship with Southwest.” He emphasized, “Southwest’s new Houston service directly supports what our business community has been asking for — added access to a key market which serves both as a destination for conducting business and as an easy link to other markets, while also opening Amarillo to welcome business travelers and opportunities.”
Bruce Tarletsky, president and managing partner of Team Insight & Associates and liaison for the Taking Flight Amarillo program, highlighted, “In my role as liaison between the airport,
the business community, the region, and our airline partners, I see firsthand how a locally driven initiative can bring people together around what’s best for Amarillo and its airline partners.”
Existing and Complementary Southwest Services
Southwest Airlines currently offers nonstop flights from Amarillo to Dallas Love Field (DAL), Las Vegas, and Austin. The addition of the Houston route complements these existing services by expanding the network available directly from AMA.
Passenger Benefits and Connectivity Improvements
The nonstop Amarillo-Houston flights provide travelers a faster and more direct route to one of Southwest’s primary markets for passengers departing from Amarillo. This connection enhances access to Southwest’s broader route network, including eastern U.S.
destinations and international connections in the Caribbean and Latin America.
