Southwest Airlines Makes Debut in Alaska

Image: Southwest Airlines' inaugural flight to Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo Credit: Southwest Airlines)

by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 9:40 AM ET, Mon May 18, 2026

Southwest Airlines celebrated its entry into Alaska over the weekend.

The low-cost carrier launched service to Alaska with twice daily nonstop flights to Anchorage from Denver and Las Vegas on May 15.

The Last Frontier marks the 43rd state in Southwest's domestic network.

"Southwest continues to give customers more opportunities to connect with the travel experiences that matter most to them. Anchorage stands out as a great destination for its culture, unforgettable scenery, and hospitality," the airline's VP of Airport Affairs, Ted Gordon, said in a statement.

Southwest celebrated its inaugural flights to Anchorage with commemorative boarding passes, Alaskan-themed swag and a special gate welcome from Seymour the Moose.

The carrier's expansion into Alaska comes just as it completes a dramatic and polarizing transformation designed to address some customer pain points and enhance profitability.

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Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher