Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and its wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways announced today an extension of flight schedules for travel through Nov. 1, 2013. In extending both carriers' bookable inventory, Southwest introduces four new nonstop routes, including the first Southwest service from Des Moines to the West through Las Vegas, and the return of seasonal service in three markets. The carrier also announced new Southwest Airlines service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and San Juan, a conversion from AirTran service in the market, beginning Sep. 29, 2013.  Southwest Airlines begins its initial service in San Juan, Puerto Rico on April 14 with nonstop service between both Tampa Bay and Orlando.  AirTran introduces additional seasonal flying to and from Florida. 

To celebrate the new service, the carrier announced introductory one-way fares between Atlanta and San Diego, Nashville and Pittsburgh, Des Moines and Las Vegas, and Jacksonville and Chicago, available today through Mar. 17, 2013, for travel between Sept. 27, 2013, and Oct. 31, 2013, and between Fort Lauderdale and San Juan, available today through Apr. 14, 2013, for travel between Sept. 29, 2013, and Oct. 31, 2013 (see Fare Rules below).  In addition to low fares, Southwest Airlines allows Customers to check two bags for free (weight and size limits apply) and doesn't charge a fee to change a ticket.

Southwest's new markets:

• Two daily nonstop flights between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and San Juan
• One daily nonstop flight between Nashville and Pittsburgh
• One daily nonstop flight between Atlanta and San Diego
• One daily nonstop flight between Des Moines and Las Vegas
• One daily nonstop flight between Jacksonville and Chicago

Southwest's returning seasonal markets:

• One daily nonstop flight between Indianapolis and Orlando
• One daily nonstop flight between Jacksonville and Las Vegas
• One daily nonstop flight between Orlando and Minneapolis-Saint Paul

AirTran's new markets:

• Seasonal service between Orlando and Houston (Hobby)
• Seasonal service between Orlando and New Orleans
• Seasonal service between Fort Myers and Columbus
• Seasonal service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Pittsburgh

ADDITIONAL FARE RULES

With the exception of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico, introductory fares are available only online and may be purchased today, through Mar. 17, 2013, 11:59 pm PT, with travel taking place between Sept. 27, 2013, and Oct. 31, 2013 except on blackout dates of Oct. 10-11, 14, 19. These offers are valid for travel every day of the week except on Fridays and Sundays for Jacksonville, FL to/from Chicago (Midway), IL, and except Sundays for Nashville, TN to/from Pittsburgh, PA,

The introductory offer to/from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and  San Juan, Puerto Rico, may be purchased today, through Apr. 14, 2013, 11:59 pm PT, with travel taking place every day of the week between Sept. 29, 2013, and Oct. 31, 2013, except blackout dates of Oct. 12 and 14.

Seats are limited. Fares may vary by destinations, flight, and day of week and won't be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. Fares are available for one-way travel. Fares may be combined with other combinable fares, except Senior Fares. When combining fares, all rules and restrictions apply. Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied toward the purchase of future travel on Southwest Airlines.  Fares are not available through the Group Desk.  Any change in the itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Standby travel requires an upgrade to the Anytime fare. Fares are subject to change until ticketed. Fares are valid on published, scheduled service only.

* Government-imposed taxes and fees are now included in the advertised fare. To comply with new government regulations, all airlines must include government-imposed taxes and fees in advertised air fares.