ORLANDO, Fla. – Southwest Airlines will soon connect Central Florida travelers with the Caribbean island of St. Maarten, adding another direct international option out of Orlando International Airport.
Beginning April 7, 2026, the Dallas-based carrier (NYSE: LUV) will launch nonstop service between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) — Southwest’s first new international destination since 2021. The airline will also begin service that month between St. Maarten and Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI). Southwest will be the only carrier offering direct service between Orlando and St. Maarten, giving Florida travelers a new link to one of the Caribbean’s most sought-after vacation spots.
St. Maarten, known for its split Dutch and French cultural influences, attracts visitors from around the world with its beaches, culinary scene, and the world-famous Maho Beach, where airplanes pass just above sunbathers before landing at SXM.
Southwest’s Growing Orlando Hub
Southwest is already the largest airline at Orlando International Airport, carrying 12.47 million passengers in 2024. The airport handled 57.21 million passengers last year, making it not only the busiest in Florida but also the ninth busiest in the United States.
The new St. Maarten route comes as Orlando continues to see an uptick in international tourism. Visit Orlando reported 6.5 million international visitors in 2024, a 5.9% increase from the prior year. Canada was the top market, followed by the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
More Domestic and Caribbean Service
Southwest’s expansion is not limited to St. Maarten. The airline will also:
- Add daily service between Orlando and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, starting Feb. 5.
- Launch flights to Knoxville, Tennessee, on March 5, expanding domestic options for Orlando-area travelers.
These additions are part of a broader push by Orlando International Airport to expand international service. Several carriers have already announced new routes, including LATAM Airlines to Lima, Peru (Oct. 26), Viva Aerobus to Mexico City’s newest airport (November), and Porter Airlines to Hamilton, Ontario (Dec. 12).
Tourism Growth Drives Flight Demand
The demand for new international routes is being fueled in part by Central Florida’s booming tourism industry. Universal’s Epic Universe theme park, which opened in May, has already boosted visitor traffic. In June, Orange County collected $33.7 million in tourist development tax revenue, up 10.3% year-over-year and the highest June total on record.
Airport leaders and airlines alike expect that trend to continue as Orlando strengthens its position as both a top U.S. tourist destination and a gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America.
