(This story was updated to add new information.)
Des Moines’ new airport terminal isn’t open just yet, but it’s already attracting new flights. Southwest Airlines is changing its schedule to include daily nonstop service between Des Moines and Nashville.
The Southwest change marks the first flight changes associated with the new terminal, scheduled to open in January 2027, according to a news release from the airport.
“A terminal isn’t just about bricks and glass, but about creating capacity for what’s next,” said Brian Mulcahy, Chief Executive Officer of the Des Moines Airport Authority. “When our community invested in a new terminal, we knew it had the potential to create opportunities for future growth. Today’s announcement is the first example of that vision becoming reality.”
When will Southwest add a flight from Des Moines to Nashville?
The nonstop flight to Nashville will begin in March 2027.
Southwest’s website shows the first flight leaving Des Moines on Thursday, March 11. The weekday service will depart Des Moines at 4:20 p.m. and arrive in Nashville at 6 p.m., according to the initial schedule. Times on weekends may vary.
Book flights at Southwest.com
Return flights leave Nashville at 8 a.m. and arrive in Des Moines at 9:55 a.m., according to the initial schedule.
The Nashville flight replaces an afternoon flight to Chicago’s Midway airport.
Chicago and Nashville represent two of Southwest’s largest operations, Southwest spokesperson Chris Perry told the Register. The flights will allow Des Moines passengers to connect to nearly all of Southwest’s network, including many of its international flights offered from Nashville.
Southwest will also add more direct flights between Des Moines and Phoenix to keep up with seasonal changes.
Previously, the only carrier offering a nonstop flight to Nashville was Allegiant Airlines.
Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New terminal helps Des Moines add new Southwest route for 2027
Reporting by Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
