Southwest Airlines Expands Nonstop Routes in Milwaukee and Des Moines

Southwest Airlines is expanding its flight operations across the Midwest with new nonstop routes scheduled for 2027. In Milwaukee, the airline will introduce seasonal Saturday flights from Mitchell International Airport to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City starting March 13, 2027. This spring break expansion also includes increased frequencies to Miami and Sarasota, as well as more flights to destinations such as Orlando, Tampa, Phoenix, and Cancun.

In Des Moines, the airline will launch daily nonstop service to Nashville, Tennessee, beginning in March 2027. This route marks the first new service enabled by the Des Moines International Airport's new $550 million terminal, which is slated to open in January 2027. Southwest also plans to increase seasonal daily direct flights from Des Moines to Phoenix.

Airport officials have linked these expansions to infrastructure and demand. In Milwaukee, Director Brian Dranzik noted that the new Florida service provides an affordable beach vacation option for families. In Des Moines, the new terminal—featuring expanded baggage capacity and high-tech ticketing—is designed to accommodate passenger growth that reached 3.25 million in 2025.