Southwest successful in bid to fly from Vegas to this restricted airport

The U.S. Department of Transportation has tentatively approved Southwest Airlines’ bid to offer nonstop, round-trip flights between Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington D.C.

The Dallas-based commercial air carrier — the busiest at Reid — applied for one of five new routes to the Washington airport in June and Southwest and a contingent of Las Vegas supporters lobbied Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to grant a route to Southwest.

It’s unclear when Southwest will be able to start operating the flight because the tentative approval is only the first step in the process.

Southwest would use its largest aircraft, a twin-engine Boeing 737-800 jet capable of carrying 175 passengers, on the route if formally approved.

The prospect for a new route was granted when lawmakers approved the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

Reagan National is restricted by a 1,250-mile perimeter rule that limits the number of flights to the airport from beyond that distance. There are 40 flights that have exemptions to the rule and the new reauthorization adds five round trips to that total.

Currently, only American Airlines offers daily nonstop round trips between Reid and Reagan National. Southwest officials say they’ll be able to offer flights at lower fares than legacy air carriers.

“We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation for its tentative approval of our application to provide nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Las Vegas, along with the only one-stop, no change service between DCA and Sacramento,” an airline spokesperson said in a Wednesday release. “This route will provide consumers with lower average fares and more choice when traveling between these important markets, and we look forward to offering Southwest’s unmatched hospitality, flexible policies, and competitive fares.”

Sen. Jacky Rosen and Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., applauded the Department of Transportation decision.

“Travel and tourism are critical for the Las Vegas economy, which is why I’ve been working to increase transportation options and bring more visitors to our city\,” Rosen said in an emailed statement. “I’m proud to announce that I helped secure a new direct flight route to Las Vegas from Ronald Reagan National Airport. The addition of this flight will bolster Nevada’s travel and tourism economy that sustains thousands of good-paying jobs.”

Separately, Titus said, “The U.S. Department of Transportation decision to approve Southwest Airline’s application for service between Harry Reid International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a milestone in connecting Southern Nevada with our nation’s capital. Currently, there is only one direct Southwest flight from LAS to the East Coast and that is to Baltimore. Southwest accounts for over one-third of passenger volume to LAS every year and providing greater access on the East Coast will only drive tourism and convention attendance to Southern Nevada. This decision opens the door to bringing more people to experience everything we have to offer in Las Vegas.”

Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.