Syracuse, New York – Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) celebrated the inaugural flight of Southwest Airlines’ seasonal nonstop service from Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) to Tampa, Florida (TPA) this morning, Saturday, April 9, 2022. The nonstop route is scheduled to operate on Saturdays through Sept. 3, 2022, alongside additional same-plane and connecting service offered daily and year-round.

“Adding this time-saving link on Saturdays between Syracuse and Tampa will have universal appeal,” said Adam Decaire, Vice President of Network Planning for Southwest Airlines. “Whether flying our Syracuse customers to the Gulf Coast, or on quick connections beyond to several dozen warm weather destinations, Central New York and the Finger Lakes are now within faster reach for people looking to cool off this summer and enjoy unique beauty in and around Syracuse.”

Southwest service to TPA increases SYR’s existing nonstop service to the Tampa area. Southwest is the world’s largest operator of the Boeing 737 aircraft and will fly the jet exclusively on this new weekly, nonstop route.

“Southwest Airlines’ weekly service to Tampa is an exciting and welcome increase to their footprint here at SYR,” said SRAA Executive Director Jason Terreri. “Both business and leisure travelers now have increased options to quickly make the trip from SYR directly to Tampa in less than three hours.”

Passengers and crew were treated to a party at Gate 1 of the airport, including balloons, cookies, a decorative cake, and giveaways. The inaugural inbound flight from Tampa arrived just after 9:30 am and was given a ceremonial water cannon salute by the airport’s Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) team.

For more information about Southwest Airlines, its fares and routes, please visit the carrier’s website, Southwest.com. To learn more about the 29 destinations served by nonstop flights from SYR, please visit our Destinations Page.