Leaders from the city of San Jose joined with Southwest Airlines passengers and staff for a festive celebration at Gate 25, marking inaugural service to Mexico of the airlines’ first of 80 new weekly flights to launch from Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC).
Southwest Airlines celebrated this milestone in its 25-year history at SJC on March 10, 2018, with first-ever international service and the inaugural nonstop flight to Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos (SJD).
San Jose Council Member Johnny Khamis, Airport Commissioners Ronald Blake and Allison Stember, SJC’s Interim Assistant Director of Aviation Judy Ross and Southwest-SJC Station Manager Robert Alderete together cut the ribbon to mark this important milestone since Southwest began serving SJC on June 1, 1993.
“Offering new international service from Silicon Valley’s airport continues our purpose of connecting Customers to the places that matter most in their lives, with friendly, reliable and low-cost air travel,” said Brad Hawkins, Southwest’s International Spokesperson. “As California’s most-flown airline, Southwest is offering more options for South Bay travelers to travel to the Mexico destinations they have been asking for.”
The once-weekly Cabo flight departs SJC each Saturday at 8:45 a.m. and returns to Silicon Valley at 2:05 p.m. Flight time averages three hours, with flights departing Terminal B and travelers arriving to SJC’s International Arrivals Building.
“We’re thrilled to continue our 25-year partnership with Southwest Airlines by launching the carrier’s first-ever international service from SJC to Cabo San Lucas, a top-requested destination by Silicon Valley travelers,” said Director of Aviation John Aitken. “Southwest continues to expand its routes, flights and facilities in San Jose, and we’re pleased to support their ongoing growth as we mutually serve our Silicon Valley business and leisure travelers.”
Southwest is SJC’s largest carrier with up to 92 nonstop departures offered daily to these 24 cities: Albuquerque*, Austin, Baltimore/Washington, Boise*, Burbank, Cabo San Lucas, Chicago/Midway, Dallas/Love Field, Denver, Houston-Hobby*, Las Vegas, Los Angeles/LAX, New Orleans*, Ontario, Orange County/Santa Ana, Orlando**, Phoenix, Portland, Reno, Saint Louis*, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Seattle and Spokane*. The carrier directly employs over 300 people at SJC.
* Flights launch on April 8, 2018.
**Flight launches on May 6, 2018
