It’s a brand new year and that means it will soon be even easier for travelers to reach the U.S. Virgin Islands as Southwest Airlines prepares to launch new flights there next month.
Southwest will kick off its travel to the popular Caribbean island on Feb. 5, 2026, with flights between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and the Cyril E. King Airport (STT) in St. Thomas, according to the carrier. Two days later, the airline will launch flights to STT from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
The new routes, which the airline first teased over the summer, will last just under three hours from Orlando and last just over four hours from Baltimore. One-way flights start at $128 from Baltimore and start at $168 from Orlando, according to a Google Flights search by Travel + Leisure.
“The launch of nonstop service from Baltimore enhances our connectivity to the Delmarva Peninsula and surrounding Mid-Atlantic region—an important and growing market for the U.S. Virgin Islands. At the same time, the new Orlando route deepens our reach into Central Florida, a high-traffic hub for both domestic and international travelers,” USVI Commissioner Joseph Boschulte said in a statement over the summer. “Together, these additions significantly strengthen our presence along the East Coast and provide travelers with even more convenient, direct access to the beauty and warmth of the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
As a United States territory, American travelers who head to the USVI are not required to have a passport, according to the government. Instead, they must show proof of citizenship (like a birth certificate with a raised seal) along with a government-issued ID to board flights.
St. Thomas boasts plenty to do for both beach goers and outdoor enthusiasts and offers easy access to an amazing nearby national park along with plenty of incredible all-inclusive resorts to base yourself in.
The new flights will arrive amid a dip in air travel for the U.S. Virgin Islands. Air arrivals were projected to be slightly lower for 2025 compared to a record showing in 2024, according to a mid-year review from the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
Beyond the new routes, it has been a season of change for Southwest. Earlier this year, the airline ended its long-standing free checked bag policy and changed its plus-size seating policy. And starting Jan. 27, 2026, the carrier plans to debut a brand-new reserved seating system.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
