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Southwest Airlines is preparing to extend its network to Alaska with the planned launch of service at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) from both Denver International Airport (DEN) and Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in the first half of 2026. Flights are expected to be available for purchase later this month as part of the airline’s next schedule extension.
Anchorage will become the fifth new destination Southwest has announced in 2025 as it has expanded its network to 122 airports across 43 states with the latest adds. This Southwest’s continued focus on broadening connectivity within the US, where it already operates more nonstop flights than any other airline.
The Anchorage expansion aligns with Southwest’s broader transformation efforts to enhance the customer journey. As part of these upgrades, the airline is introducing assigned and premium seating options for greater flexibility, offering free Wi-Fi to all Rapid Rewards Members through its partnership with T-Mobile, and rolling out in-seat power on all Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The longer-term goal is to provide in-seat charging capabilities across the entire Southwest fleet.
Anchorage represents a key step in strengthening Southwest’s presence in leisure and adventure markets by connecting travelers to Alaska’s vast outdoor offerings while providing residents of the state new access to Southwest’s national network. The move also signals continued momentum for the airline as it accelerates growth into new regions while modernizing its onboard product.
Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Airlines, said:
We’re adding destinations that once seemed inconceivable for Southwest in order to build a route network that creates new experiences and more possibilities than ever before. We look forward to connecting our Customers to the rich history and culture of Anchorage and connecting the 49th state to our vast domestic network.”
Anthony’s Take: Alaska and United currently fly to Anchorage from Las Vegas and Denver, respectively. As Southwest pivots and reinvents itself, it will be interesting to see how it fares in the Last Frontier.
(Image Credits: Owen Lystrup via Unsplash and Boeing.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
