Southwest will begin nonstop service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to three popular destinations in Mexico — Cancun (CUN), Los Cabos (SJD) and Puerto Vallarta (PVR) — starting Dec. 4, pending final approval from the Mexican government. Tickets for the new routes are on sale now. Flights to Cancun and Los Cabos will operate twice daily, while service to Puerto Vallarta will run once daily.
Approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation enabled these routes and marks the first set of authorizations under a new bilateral agreement between the United States and Mexico to expand air service. Paul Cullen, Southwest’s vice president and executive sponsor for Los Angeles, emphasized the significance: “This authorization lets us do what we’ve done for decades in California and cities across the country: enter a nonstop market, bring low fares with unmatched value, and connect people more affordably to destinations that matter in their lives.”
Southwest is also pursuing additional expansion from the Bay Area. Pending Mexican government approval, the airline plans to launch service from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, with flights slated to begin Feb. 12.
Los Angeles city leaders welcomed the new connections. Mayor Eric Garcetti noted that the flights strengthen cultural and commercial ties between Los Angeles and Mexico: “These new Southwest flights from LAX to Mexico will expand Los Angeles’ global reach, bring Angelenos closer to the people they love, and help our city’s economy continue to grow.”
Travelers looking for affordable nonstop service between Southern California and major Mexican destinations will find increased frequency and more schedule options once approvals are finalized. Southwest’s entry into these nonstop markets is likely to create added competition and more fare choices for passengers flying between Los Angeles or Oakland and popular beach and resort destinations in Mexico.