Southwest Adds New San Diego Flights for 2026 With More Nonstop Service

Southwest Airlines is making 2026 a smoother year for flying out of San Diego International Airport. The airline is expanding service at SAN, adding new routes and increasing nonstop flights to key West Coast destinations.

If you’ve ever tried to book a trip out of San Diego and felt stuck with limited departure times or fares that didn’t make any sense, this update is exactly the kind of travel news you’ll want to know about.

What’s changing at San Diego International Airport

Southwest’s extended schedule introduces more new nonstop and direct flights out of San Diego, with most of the improvements focused on West Coast and Pacific Northwest routes. In other words, it means more ways to get where you’re going without awkward connections or flights that leave at unreasonable hours.

Increased nonstop flights to Portland and Seattle

The biggest update is expanded service between San Diego and Portland, Oregon, along with additional flights to Seattle. On peak travel days, Southwest will run more daily departures, meaning better flight times and less chaos during busy travel seasons.

Flights between San Diego and Portland International Airport (PDX) have always been popular, and when demand spikes, prices tend to jump. Adding more flights helps relieve this by creating better options and easing the pressure that drives seat costs up.

New and returning routes for 2026

Beginning in March 2026, Southwest is rolling out a mix of new and returning nonstop routes, with more service added as peak travel ramps up. It's not about flashy new international routes, and that's the point. These updates strengthen San Diego’s overall flight network, making it easier to plan direct trips or simple one-stop itineraries without defaulting to LAX.

More seats during peak travel periods

Southwest has extended its booking schedule through September 2026 and plans to operate its highest number of peak-day departures out of San Diego to date. That means more seat availability when demand is at its highest, and fewer moments where every reasonable flight option is already gone.

Why this actually matters

San Diego is one of the busiest single-runway airports in the country, so even small changes can make a noticeable impact. When airlines add flights here, it can change how stressful (or manageable) travel feels during busy seasons.

West Coast trips get easier

For travelers heading up the coast, especially to Portland Oregon, these added flights make short trips and long weekends far more doable. Fewer sold-out flights, less compromises on timing, and more chances to book something that actually fits your schedule.

Healthy competition helps travelers

Routes like San Diego–Portland are also served by Alaska Airlines, and when multiple airlines are active on the same route, travelers usually benefit. More competition typically leads to better availability and more reasonable pricing, especially on nonstop flights.

Fewer unnecessary stops

Expanded nonstop service also means fewer random layovers. If you’ve ever booked what should've been a simple West Coast trip and somehow ended up stopping in Phoenix or Vegas, you already know how important this difference is.

What this means for planning 2026 travel

If you’re already thinking ahead, this is a good time to start watching fares for:

• San Diego → Portland (PDX)

• San Diego → Seattle (SEA)

• Peak summer West Coast travel

Southwest often releases some of its best prices when schedules first open, and nonstop routes are usually the first to sell out once people start locking in dates.

My take

This isn’t a dramatic expansion, and that’s exactly why it works. Southwest is putting more energy into routes San Diego travelers actually use, especially along the West Coast and up into Oregon.

If Portland is on your list for 2026, flying between San Diego and Portland International Airport just got noticeably easier. More flight options, better timing, and less stress during peak season are always a win.

Sometimes the best travel updates aren’t about adding new destinations; they’re about making the trips you already want to take feel more affordable and far more doable.

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