Turks & Caicos getting Southwest for Summer 2024  

#TurksandCaicos, November 25, 2023 – The Turks and Caicos’ Providenciales International Airport (PLS) is one of several new routes picked up by Southwest Airlines for summer 2024.

Described by the company as an ‘International Six Pack’ out of Orlando,  PLS joins Cancun, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Nassau, Bahamas; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and San José, Costa Rica. The nonstop routes begin June 04 2024.

The new flights will bring Southwest’s schedule to an “all-time high” of more than 4,500 departures, according to the airline.

A Travel + Leisure report informs: Southwest’s expansion comes as the airline made it easier for customers to earn status in 2024, lowering the number of qualifying flights needed to reach both A-List and A-List Preferred status as well as making it easier to earn points with qualifying credit cards. Additionally, the airline is making it easier to earn a popular Companion Pass for a limited time by giving registered travelers who fly by Nov. 30 double Companion Pass qualifying points on those flights.

Southwest, which is in the process of upgrading its onboard experience, famously doesn’t charge change fees and allows travelers to check two bags for free (which has led to some interesting checked items). And earlier this year, the airline moved to allow all passengers to fly same-day standby for free, bringing it in line with other major airlines in the United States.