Air connectivity between Costa Rica and the United States continues to strengthen. U.S. carrier Southwest Airlines officially announced the launch of a new seasonal direct route connecting Austin, Texas, with Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).

The new service will formally launch in March 2027, designed to cater to high travel demand during peak season. Service details include:

  Frequency: Once weekly, operating exclusively on Saturdays.

  Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8.

  Capacity: 175 seats per flight.

  Direct Connection: Between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).

This milestone comes as a result of ongoing strategy between the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) and AERIS, the main airport manager, under the Airline Attraction Program.

The United States remains Costa Rica’s primary source market for foreign visitors. Adding a direct route from Austin helps capture travelers who average 10-day stays focused on ecotourism, adventure, and beaches.

With this new route, Southwest marks over 12 years of operations in the country, reinforcing Costa Rica’s standing as one of its top Central American destinations.

Planning to travel or host visitors from Texas? Bookmark this story and keep an eye out for ticket availability on the airline’s official platform.

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