Southwest Airlines announced today that it will begin daily, nonstop flights from Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Austin and Phoenix. The move significantly enhances nationwide connections and nearly doubles the number of Southwest's one-stop destinations from LGB.

“We thank Southwest Airlines for their vote of confidence in our airport and in our local economy,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Long Beach Airport is an economic engine for the region that is key to our financial recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.”

The new daily flights will begin in November and will consist of one daily flight to Austin and three daily flights to Phoenix. LGB currently has 16 nonstop destinations, although some services are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19. Austin is also served by JetBlue and Phoenix is also served by American Airlines.

“We are grateful that Southwest Airlines continues to invest in Long Beach Airport, especially during these challenging times,” said Long Beach Airport Director Cynthia Guidry. “With ample, relaxing outdoor space and a small-town feel, we are well-positioned as a desirable airport in the post-COVID travel world.”

Southwest Airlines first began service from LGB in 2016. Of the 53 available flight slots at LGB, Southwest holds eight permanent flight slots and nine supplemental flight slots. Today’s announcement does not affect the number of flight slots allocated to Southwest Airlines.

“Austin and Phoenix will be our sixth and seventh cities linked to Long Beach and address both nonstop travel demand to and from those airports, and also provide our customers many connections to places beyond them,” said Adam Decaire, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Network Planning. “Our value and hospitality pair well with the easy passenger experience that Long Beach Airport gives travelers.”

LGB has instituted a number of measures to enhance passenger safety, including physical distancing, new disinfecting protocols and a requirement that all employees and passengers wear facial coverings while at the airport. Read more about these measures here.

Located near the border of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, LGB is in close proximity to numerous major attractions in Southern California.