Southwest Airlines is entering new territory this fall. On Oct. 1, the carrier will launch its first-ever international redeye flight, a daily nonstop between Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport and San José, Costa Rica.

The new route will be the only nonstop service between Las Vegas and Costa Rica’s capital, and it marks a scheduling shift for an airline that has historically avoided overnight international flying.

A First for Southwest

The Las Vegas–San José service represents two milestones for Southwest. It is both the airline industry’s only nonstop between the two cities and Southwest’s first international redeye flight.

Redeye operations — overnight departures that land the following morning — are common on transcontinental routes. Southwest has traditionally limited that model within its domestic network. Extending it to an international destination signals a strategic move into longer-haul leisure markets.

The flight will operate daily, giving travelers consistent access to Costa Rica’s primary gateway at Juan Santamaría International Airport.

An overnight departure from Las Vegas allows passengers to arrive in Costa Rica early the next morning, maximizing time on the ground in destinations such as Arenal, La Fortuna and the Pacific coast.

A Bigger Role for Las Vegas

The new Costa Rica route underscores Southwest’s growing presence in Las Vegas.

The airline is slated to operate 282 departures on Sundays from Harry Reid International Airport, reinforcing the city’s role as a major base within Southwest’s network. The addition of San José positions Las Vegas as a western launch point for Central America.

For travelers in Nevada, California, Arizona and surrounding states, the nonstop eliminates the need to connect through traditional international gateways such as Houston or Miami.

Costa Rica Demand Continues

Costa Rica remains one of the most in-demand destinations in the Caribbean Basin, driven by eco-tourism, surf travel and nature-focused vacations.

San José functions as the country’s primary air hub, with road access to rainforest lodges, volcano hikes, coffee regions and both Pacific and Caribbean beaches. Airlift from US cities has steadily expanded in recent years as demand has grown.

Southwest already serves Costa Rica from multiple US gateways. The Oct. 1 launch from Las Vegas extends that reach further west and adds overnight scheduling to its international mix.

The daily Las Vegas–San José flight begins Oct. 1 and stands as Southwest’s first international redeye service