Sometimes the best way to get through a flight is to sleep through it. And red-eyes were made for that.
While Southwest Airlines notoriously doesn't offer red-eye flights, that may soon change, according to a statement by the company's CEO, Bob Jordan.
“We have the aircraft, it’s a great way to use an asset that you already have and use it more productively, which means more hours in the day,” Jordan told The Dallas Morning News. “So, we will be doing red-eyes.”
Jordan didn't offer more details about when or where these red-eye flights would be, but the imminent news may have some reconsidering Southwest for upcoming travel. Recently voted the best airline for families, Southwest is beloved for its low-cost, flexible flights with perks like free checked baggage.
Southwest's red-eye news may coincide with some of the airline's recently announced routes, including international trips from Orlando to Cancun, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Nassau, Bahamas; Providenciales, Turks and Caicos; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Additional longer flights coming to Southwest in 2024 include nonstop service between Colorado Springs, CO, and Baltimore/Washington, a route that takes approximately five hours, flying west to east.
Currently, Southwest's longest flight is between Oakland and Honolulu, a route that clocks in at just under six hours.
Red-eyes often work best when there is some type of time change—for example, leaving California at midnight and arriving in New York City right before the work day starts—so it will be interesting to see where Southwest adds red-eyes on its existing routes, or if the flight network is about to expand again.