Southwest adds new nonstop flight to start just before spring break travel

Southwest will add a daily nonstop flight from Indianapolis to Nashville starting on March 6, 2025, the company announced Thursday.

Airport executives praised the addition of the flight, saying it is a result of market demand seen by the Indianapolis economic community.

“We’ve been pursuing this nonstop flight with Southwest for over 7 years,” said Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, in a release . “And it will launch just in time for the Spring Break travel season — and operate year-round.”

Airport staff said Indianapolis advocated for the flight to connect the cities' corporate, tourism and economic development interests.

“This flight will connect business and leisure travelers to the Music City and serve as a conduit for passengers connecting on other flights through Southwest’s Nashville focus city,” said Maggie Cunningham, director of air service development at the Indianapolis Airport Authority, in a release.

Get ready for assigned seats: Southwest Airlines ushers in big changes

The Indianapolis-Nashville route is part of a slew of additional flights Southwest added for spring break travel, including several direct flights from Nashville to Cabo San Lucas and Punta Cana.

It will be Southwest's 19th direct flight operating at the Indianapolis International Airport, joining routes to Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Cancun, Dallas-Love, Denver, Panama City, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston-Hobby, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Orlando, Miami, Phoenix, Ft. Myers, San Diego, Sarasota/Bradenton and Tampa.

Earlier this year, Southwest said the airline will do away with open seating, ending its longstanding unique way of boarding planes in the commercial airline industry. The Dallas-based airline said its free checked bag policy for two items would continue.

Alysa Guffey covers commercial growth and development for IndyStar. Contact her at amguffey@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Southwest adds new nonstop flight to start just before spring break travel