As of Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Southwest Airlines is making waves in the travel industry with the official launch of bookings for its newest international destination: the dual-nation island of St. Maarten. Starting April 7, 2026, the carrier will initiate daily nonstop service between Orlando (MCO) and Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), marking its first major international expansion since 2021. This strategic move is accompanied by additional weekend service from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) beginning April 9, effectively connecting the “Friendly Island” to over 45 cities across Southwest’s extensive domestic network.
This expansion is a key component of a massive schedule extension that now allows travelers to book flights through September 30, 2026. The shift toward St. Maarten signals Southwest’s intent to compete more aggressively in the premium leisure market, offering a unique destination that blends Dutch and French cultures. To support this growth, Southwest has also formalized a new interline partnership with EVA Air, enabling seamless baggage transfers and coordinated ticketing for passengers connecting between North America and Asia through shared gateways like Los Angeles and Seattle.
The St. Maarten announcement comes during a transformative month for the airline, which officially ended its 54-year “open seating” tradition on January 26, 2026. Travelers heading to the Caribbean this spring will be among the first to experience Southwest’s redesigned cabin, which now features assigned seating, premium extra-legroom options, and universal in-seat power. By combining its legendary “two bags fly free” policy with these modern amenities and high-demand international routes, Southwest is repositioning itself as a formidable global contender for the 2026 travel season.
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