Southwest Airlines eliminates two transcontinental routes from Atlanta – The Points Guy

The signs were evident, but it’s now confirmed: Southwest Airlines is further modifying its network, focusing particularly on Atlanta.

The Dallas-based airline submitted plans over the weekend to discontinue two transcontinental routes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), as initially noted in Cirium schedules and subsequently confirmed by airline spokesperson Dan Landson.

The impacted routes include those from ATL to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK).

Monitoring routes: The accolade for the ‘most appealing new route’ of the year is awarded to …

The airline initially intended to cease operations in these markets during the winter; however, that schedule has now been advanced to August.

Be aware that although Southwest is discontinuing these nonstop flights, the airline will still provide one-stop service from Atlanta to both Oakland and Los Angeles.

Earlier this year, the airline revealed that it would be discontinuing service to four cities and reducing operations in two others: Atlanta and Chicago.

Southwest didn’t initially detail the reductions it planned for Atlanta, but we are now beginning to understand what will be eliminated.

The extended stage length of transcontinental flights makes it more challenging for Southwest to achieve profitability on these approximately 2,000-mile nonstop routes, which is likely a factor in the decision to discontinue this service.

Up to now, Southwest has attributed a number of its recent reductions to delays in Boeing’s deliveries, but the airline appears to be facing structural challenges.

Some investors claim that the airline, which has been profitable for 47 straight years, has lost its touch. (This week, Elliott Investment Management announced a $1.9 billion investment in Southwest, noting that the airline has suffered from ineffective execution and leadership in recent times.)

Interested in more airline-related updates? Subscribe to TPG’s complimentary biweekly Aviation newsletter.

Southwest’s subpar performance is making the airline reconsider several of its distinctive selling points, including the open boarding policy and the allowance of two free checked bags.

In a statement released in April, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan expressed, “To enhance our financial performance, we have increased our focus on optimizing our network to address markets that are underperforming. I genuinely appreciate the remarkable support from our employees, the airports, and the communities over the years.”

In 2012, following its merger with Atlanta-headquartered AirTran Airways, Southwest commenced flights to Atlanta. Since then, the airline has effectively established the city as a hub, with approximately 90 departures each day, according to Cirium schedules.

Without Southwest operating, Delta Air Lines, the local carrier, will have exclusive nonstop flights to Oakland. The route between Atlanta and Los Angeles is more competitive, with Delta, American Airlines, and Spirit Airlines all offering flights.

Southwest recently made another change to its route network. In the previous month, the airline introduced seven new routes while discontinuing four.

Southwest, on its end, chose not to provide specific remarks regarding its latest reductions in transcontinental flights.

Related reading: