Southwest resumes Bush Intercontinental Airport service today

Monday, April 12, 2021

Southwest returns to IAH for first time in 16 years

Wanna get away? If you prefer to fly Southwest, you can now catch a flight with the carrier out of Bush Intercontinental Airport. Here's what to know.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Southwest Airlines announced its return to Bush Intercontinental Airport with 18 new flights starting today.

Service from IAH will include non-stop flights to Chicago Midway, Dallas Love Field, Denver, Nashville and New Orleans each day.

Flights will range as low as $29 one-way to New Orleans and as much as $79 for a one-way to Denver or Chicago.

Southwest is no stranger to the gates of IAH.

The airline first landed there when it began operating in 1971 and remained a fixture until 1972. It returned in 1980 and served the facility until 2005.

Southwest is the largest airline operating out of Houston Hobby Airport with as many as 161 daily flights.

Southwest's impact on Houston is significant. According to the airline, it provides nearly 4,000 jobs to the city.

The airline also said it plans to add Jackson, Mississippi, to its list of destinations in June, with non-stop connections to Houston Hobby, Atlanta and Baltimore/Washington. Long Beach, California, will also be added to the growing footprint, and will connect to Houston Hobby and four other cities. The carrier plans to add Miami and Sarasota, Florida, as sites in the coming year.

Bookings are being accepted now on the Southwest Airlines website.