These are the airline’s main international routes from Houston Hobby

Houston Hobby Airport (HOU), Southwest Airlines’ second Texas hub, is playing an increasingly important role in the airline’s international operations, especially now that it is set to replace Houston Intercontinental Airport. While Dallas Love Field (DAL) is often considered Southwest’s primary hub in Texas, Houston Hobby has steadily expanded its footprint, especially for international flights. Let’s explore Southwest Airlines’ top international routes from Houston Hobby, backed by data highlighting the frequency, capacity and importance of these routes.

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Cancun, Mexico (CUN)

Cancun is one of the most popular destinations for Southwest Airlines from Houston Hobby, reflecting the city’s popularity among travelers seeking sun-drenched beaches and vibrant nightlife. According to current data, Southwest operates 90 flights (Ops) between Houston and Cancun with 13,382 available seats, averaging 148.7 seats per departure. The distance between the two cities is 792 miles and the route generates approximately 10,598,544 available seat miles (ASMs), a key metric used in the airline industry to measure the capacity of an airline’s fleet.

San Jose del Cabo, Mexico (SJD)

San José del Cabo, known for its relaxed atmosphere and charming downtown, is another major international route from Houston Hobby. Southwest operates 60 flights on this route with 8,580 available seats, an average of 143 seats per departure. The 1,000-mile route contributes 8,580,000 ASMs. The growing popularity of San José del Cabo as a more relaxed alternative to Cabo San Lucas has made it an increasingly important destination for Southwest Airlines.

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San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO)

San José, Costa Rica, a gateway to Central America’s rich biodiversity and adventure tourism, is also a major international destination from Houston Hobby. Southwest operates 30 flights to San José with a total capacity of 4,578 seats, an average of 152.6 seats per departure. Approximately 6,999,762 ASMs are generated on this route, which covers a distance of 1,529 miles. The attraction of Costa Rica’s national parks, volcanoes and beaches makes this a strategic route for the Southwest.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PVR)

Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, is a popular destination for travelers seeking a mix of beautiful beaches and rich cultural experiences. Southwest operates 30 flights between Houston Hobby and Puerto Vallarta, offering 4,290 seats. Each departure has an average of 143 seats, and the route is 877 miles long. The ASM for this route is approximately 3,762,330, underscoring its role as a major destination in Southwest’s international network.

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Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR)

Liberia, located in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province, is a gateway to the country’s most stunning natural landscapes. Southwest operates nine flights on this route with a total seat capacity of 1,415 and an average of 157.2 seats per departure. The distance between Houston Hobby and Liberia is 1,453 miles, and the route contributes 2,055,995 ASMs to Southwest’s total capacity. Liberia’s proximity to popular national parks and beaches makes it an increasingly important destination for ecotourism.

Belize City, Belize (BZE)

Belize City, the largest city in Belize, is a popular destination for those looking to explore the Belize Barrier Reef and other natural wonders. Southwest operates nine flights on this route with 1,287 seats available, averaging 143 seats per departure. The route is 943 miles long and generates approximately 1,213,641 ASMs. Belize’s rich marine life and historic sites make it popular with travelers.

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Summary of operations

Data provided by Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, shows that Southwest Airlines has made significant investments in its international routes from Houston Hobby. With 456 flights and 67,608 available seats on these routes, the average number of seats per departure is 148.3 and the total number of ASMs is 67,346,656. These figures underscore the importance of Houston Hobby in Southwest’s network, especially for destinations in Mexico and Central America.

Why Houston Hobby?

Houston Hobby’s strategic location closer to downtown Houston than George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) gives the airport a competitive advantage, especially for domestic and short-haul international flights. Southwest Airlines’ operations from Houston Hobby focus on its business strategy of offering high-frequency, low-cost flights from more accessible airports. Recent renovations at the airport have improved its facilities and made it more attractive to airlines and passengers.

A second home

Houston Hobby Airport is a key hub for Southwest Airlines’ international operations. With a diverse offering of popular destinations such as Cancun, San José del Cabo and San José, Costa Rica, Houston Hobby offers travelers convenient access to some of the most desirable locations in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. As Southwest continues to expand its international reach, Houston Hobby is poised to become an even more important player in its global network.