Honestly, if you still think Southwest is just for hop-skipping between Dallas and Chicago, you've missed a massive shift in how they fly. They aren't just the "two bags fly free" domestic airline anymore. Actually, wait—I should probably mention that the "free bags" thing has changed a bit recently, but we'll get to that headache in a second. Basically, international destinations Southwest Airlines now cover a huge chunk of the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America, and they've even started peeking across the oceans with new partnerships.
It’s kinda wild to think about. You can now use those Rapid Rewards points you earned on a business trip to Omaha to fly to a beach in Aruba or a rainforest in Costa Rica. But flying international on a low-cost carrier isn't quite the same as a quick domestic jaunt. There are quirks. There are weird rules. And there’s a whole new seating system that just rolled out this year that changes everything.
Where Can You Actually Go?
Southwest doesn’t fly everywhere, and they probably never will. They don't do "long-haul" in the traditional sense because their entire fleet is made up of Boeing 737s. You won't find a Southwest wide-body jet with lie-flat seats. If a destination is more than about six hours away from the U.S. mainland, it’s probably not on their map.
The Mexico Stronghold
Mexico is where they really shine. They've got the big ones covered: Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta. Recently, they’ve been doubling down on Las Vegas as a gateway. Starting in June 2026, they launched nonstop service from Vegas to all three of those Mexican hotspots. It’s the only nonstop option for some of those routes, which is a huge deal for people in Nevada. Cozumel is also on the list, perfect for the scuba crowd who doesn’t want to deal with the ferry from the mainland.
The Caribbean Expansion
This is where it gets interesting. They’ve been aggressively adding islands.
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- Aruba (AUA): A fan favorite because it’s outside the hurricane belt.
- Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ): Constant flights from Baltimore and Orlando.
- Nassau, Bahamas (NAS): A quick hop from Florida.
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ): Great for all-inclusive seekers.
- Grand Cayman (GCM): For the slightly more upscale vibe.
- Sint Maarten (SXM): This is one of the newer ones, with flights recently added from Orlando and Baltimore.
- St. Thomas (STT): As of February 2026, they’ve officially moved into the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Central America
It’s a bit thinner here, but the options are solid. You’ve got Belize City and two spots in Costa Rica: San Jose and Liberia. If you’re looking for sloths and volcanoes, Southwest makes it pretty easy to get there without a $900 price tag.
The Big 2026 Changes: No More "Open Seating"
For decades, the hallmark of Southwest was the cattle call. You get a position, you walk on, you pick a seat. Some people loved it; most people hated it. Well, that’s over.
As of January 27, 2026, Southwest officially transitioned to assigned seating. This is a massive shift for their international routes. If you’re flying three or four hours to Mexico, you no longer have to worry about being stuck in a middle seat because your connection was late. You can actually pay to pick your seat now. Prices for seat assignments range anywhere from $4 to $250 depending on the length of the flight and how much legroom you want.
The Partnership Plot Twist
Here is the thing nobody talks about: Southwest is finally letting other airlines handle the "overseas" stuff. For years, they were a closed loop. Now, they’ve signed agreements with carriers like Icelandair, Condor, and Turkish Airlines.
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What does this mean for you? You can’t necessarily book a single ticket on Southwest.com to Istanbul yet, but the "shared gateway" system is live. They are using hubs like Boston (BOS), Los Angeles (LAX), and Seattle (SEA) to funnel passengers into these partner networks. It’s a bit clunky compared to a Delta or United alliance, but it’s a sign that the "domestic only" era is officially dead.
Dealing with the Baggage "Gotcha"
We have to talk about the bags. For years, the mantra was "two bags fly free." In mid-2025, Southwest pivoted.
While certain fare classes like "Choice Extra" and "Business Select" still get two free checked bags, the new "Basic" and "Choice" fares—the ones most people book because they’re cheap—now charge for bags.
- 1st Checked Bag: Around $35.
- 2nd Checked Bag: Around $45.
If you’re heading to an international destination on Southwest Airlines, check your fare class carefully. If you’re bringing snorkeling gear or a week's worth of tropical outfits, those fees add up. Also, watch out for "seasonal baggage embargoes." For example, Belize City often has strict limits on oversized bags or extra luggage during the winter holidays. They literally won't let you check a third bag because the plane’s hold is too small for everyone’s Christmas gifts.
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Expert Tips for the International Check-in
Don't just roll up to the gate with your digital boarding pass. International travel on Southwest has a few manual hurdles.
- The Passport Verification: You cannot just go straight to security. Even if you checked in on the app, you usually have to visit a kiosk or a desk at the airport so an agent can physically verify your passport. Do this at least 60 minutes before departure, or they might cancel your seat.
- QR Codes and Forms: Places like Aruba and Belize often require online immigration forms. You have to show the QR code from these forms to the gate agent before you board. If you don't have it, you’re that person holding up the line while frantically trying to get the airport Wi-Fi to work.
- BWI is the Secret Weapon: If you live on the East Coast, Baltimore (BWI) is the unofficial international hub for Southwest. They have a dedicated international terminal area (near Door 6) that is surprisingly efficient.
Is it Worth it?
Honestly, it depends on your vibe. If you want a meal, a seatback screen, and a "premium economy" cabin with a curtain, Southwest will disappoint you. There are no screens. You have to bring your own iPad and use their onboard Wi-Fi to stream movies.
But if you want to fly to the Caribbean using points that are actually easy to earn, it’s hard to beat. The Rapid Rewards system is still one of the most straightforward out there—no blackout dates, and if there’s a seat for sale, you can buy it with points.
Your next move: Before you book that trip to Cabo, log into your Rapid Rewards account and check the "Low Fare Calendar" specifically for Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The price difference for international hops is often hundreds of dollars just by shifting your flight by 24 hours. Also, make sure you download the Southwest app before you leave the house; you’ll need it for the in-flight entertainment since there are no screens on the planes.