When Southwest Airlines reported its second-quarter earnings, the news was not good. In fact, while Southwest had originally projected profits of $1.7 billion in 2025, this was updated to just $600 to $800 million.

Southwest Airlines is struggling for many reasons including current economic conditions. Unfortunately, a large part of the airline’s problem is that its target market can’t really afford to travel much right now. Tariffs and inflation have caused weakening demand among domestic coach flyers, which has hit the airline hard because it does not really offer premium products.

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Amid its struggles, Southwest Airlines has been making some big changes in a bid to improve profits. This has included unpopular moves, such as eliminating the beloved Bags Fry Free policy that set apart its brand. It also includes cutting a substantial number of flights.

Southwest has cut many routes, including making a recent announcement that it will be canceling a daily flight to a major U.S. airport beginning in March.

Travelers won’t have as many options for Southwest Airlines flights in March. 

Image source: Yakobchuk/Shutterstock

Southwest Airlines to permanently cut daily flight starting March 4

Southwest Airlines has announced that it will permanently cancel numerous flights in the upcoming months, as the airline shifts its focus toward adding more routes targeting connecting travelers.

“We will still have the largest point-to-point network in the industry but with additional connection options layered in, driving improved network utility and more options for our customers,” Southwest CEO Andrew Watterson said in late July. “The connection opportunities will vary by season, day of week and time of day with less structure connectivity in peak times.”

As Southwest changes its strategy, one of the flights to be cut serves BWI Airport.

Related: Southwest Airlines cancels hundreds of flights from July to Sept.

Specifically, Southwest Airlines is ending flights that previously provided daily service between BWI in the Baltimore/Washington area, and Jackson Municipal Airport, which serves Mississippi. 

The end of the BWI to Jackson flights is part of a broader series of cuts, with the airline slashing as many as 30 routes from its map starting in March.

This news also comes after Southwest laid off some staff in June at the BWI Airport Hub, although the airline has not disclosed the number of workers affected by the staffing cuts.

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BWI is a mid-size airport, but thousands of travelers could be impacted

While BWI is far from the largest in the U.S., the airport still sees an average of over 70,000 passengers per day. Southwest has by far the largest market share at the airport, accounting for 70.19% of flights. Top Southwest flight destinations out of the airport include:

• Orlando
• Atlanta
• Fort Lauderdale
• Tampa
• Miami

While the Jackson trip is not one of the top flights, it used to go daily, giving travelers many options to work with their schedule. Now those options are gone, and passengers will be left in the lurch and scrambling to find a different carrier.

Southwest Airlines also makes additions to its BWI schedule

While Southwest Airlines is cutting the flight to Jackson, it plans to add some additional routes to BWI. Specifically, the airline will launch a new flight to St. Maarten. The new flight will start on April 9 and run on Saturdays and Sundays.

This is the first international destination Southwest has added to its lineup since 2021, and the airline carrier will also add a daily St. Maarten trip from Orlando beginning in April.

Related: JetBlue cancels all flights to major US airport, offers customer refunds

As Southwest makes these changes and shakes up its network in a bid to improve profitability, travelers will need to pay attention to all of the route modifications and make adjustments if their preferred flight option disappears for good. 

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Make a free appointment with TheStreet’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at [email protected] or call or text her at 386-383-2472.

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