It’s been a rocky road when it comes to when Southwest international flights will return.
So many things depend on these dates like at a minimum if the countries are open to American travelers (or ANY travelers for that matter).
The Bahamas, for example, did open for travel, but then closed to American travelers only to open again.
It is now open with some requirements in place to travel there, though Southwest has not yet resumed flights as of January 14, 2021.
[16 Unforgettable Things to Do in Nassau, Bahamas]
Southwest now has many other destinations that are listed as open with specific entry requirements where it has resumed flights, but some destinations are still closed with no scheduled date for service to resume.
See below for a list of the entry requirements needed.
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When Will Southwest International Flights Return?
A Southwest plane over Grand Cayman
Southwest has resumed or scheduled flights to the following destinations:
- Aruba
- Cancun
- Cozumel
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic-Punta Cana
- Jamaica-Montego Bay
- Los Cabos
- Puerto Rico
- Puerto Vallarta
For the below destinations Southwest has not resumed flights and currently has no scheduled date for flights to resume:
- Bahamas
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- Grand Cayman
- Turks and Caicos
Southwest says it’s monitoring each country’s government for easing of restrictions in order to determine when each destination will return to the schedule.
I know this is disappointing, but these destinations will still be there when this is all over, and hopefully we can get there as soon as possible.
The Requirements to Travel to Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Aruba
Credit Nassau Paradise Island Bahamas Promotion Board
There are some added steps you’ll be required to take if you want to fly Southwest (or any airline) to these international destinations.
Jamaica
When flying to Jamaica, you’ll need to fill out this travel authorization form, prior to boarding.
All passengers traveling from the US:
- Are required to upload a valid negative COVID-19 test no more than 10 days old from the arrival date.
- Are required to bring the negative test result with them.
- If they arrive from a high-risk area without a negative test result, they will not be allowed into the country.
Cuba
All passengers will be required to pay a sanitary fee of $30 USD that will be collected either during the booking process or at the time of departure from the United States.
All passengers must have a negative PCR-RT test result and supply proof of the results.
The PCR-RT test must have been taken within 72 hours of flight arrival.
Dominican Republic
Upon arrival airports and other points of entry will perform rapid COVID-19 testing on randomly-selected travelers and anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19.
Mexico
In Mexico, you will need to fill out a Questionnaire for Identification of Risk Factors in Travelers and present to immigration upon arrival.
You may also be subject to temperature checks and health screenings when you arrive.
Puerto Rico
As of July 15, to fly to Puerto Rico passengers must complete a travel declaration form and have proof of a negative molecular COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
If someone does not have this information, they will be required to take a rapid test upon arrival at the airport.
If negative, the traveler will still be required to quarantine and cover any medical or daily expenses resulting from their extended stay until they have received a negative molecular COVID-19 test, as well.
If a negative molecular test is not provided, the traveler will have to quarantine for 14 days or the length of their planned stay if it’s shorter than 14 days.
Testing sites in Puerto Rico will be available on site and online.
Aruba
To fly to Aruba, you must have a pre-approved embarkation-disembarkation (ED) card, which requires you to complete this mandatory health assessment within 72 hours of your departure to Aruba.
Additionally, they advise you to take a PCR COVID-19 test and upload a negative test result in the application for the ED Card within 72 hours prior to departure.
If you do not provide the test results as required, you need to prepay for a COVID-19 test that will be administered upon arrival in Aruba, and you will be required to quarantine in Aruba for 24 hours while awaiting the results.
Lastly, you must now have Aruba Visitors Insurance, which is also part of the ED card application.
What Happens If Southwest Cancels a Flight
If Southwest cancels your flight, you are entitled to a full refund of the flight and anything else you paid for like EarlyBird seating or bag fees.
Refunds are given in the same form you used to purchase the ticket: travel funds, cash, credit cards or points.
So if you purchased a ticket using a Southwest travel fund (a Southwest “credit”), you will get your money back as another travel credit.
Southwest has extended the expiration of any travel credits resulting from cancellations between March 1 and September of 2020 until September 7, 2022.
Before a full refund, however, Southwest will first offer to re-book you at a later date or give you a travel credit.
But you can opt for a full refund if you’d like by contacting Southwest via phone or in the Southwest app‘s Live Chat feature.
[Here’s more about how to contact Southwest Airlines]
[Here’s more about how to use the Southwest app]
[All about Southwest Travel Funds]
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Denene A Sikora says
I did not get reimbursed for any of my early bird purchases even though they cancelled my flights. I told them I did not think it was fair and they responded by telling me early bird is non refundable.
Lyn Mettler says
That is not cool! As I understand it from this link from the US DOT, if they cancel the flight, you are entitled to a refund of all “Optional Service Fees”. See that portion of the page. Let me know if you read it differently.
I would let Southwest know that the DOT says otherwise, if you agree that I am reading this right :), and offer you will be reporting it to the DOT.
Eddieras says
I have Tix for Belize September 20. I have not received any cancellation notice from southwest. Do you think they’ll possibly resume sooner than October 30??
Lyn Mettler says
I suppose it’s possible, but it’s unlikely. I’m surprised they haven’t canceled your flight. You may want to reach out to them and ask, but it’s possible they haven’t gotten to it yet since it’s further away.
Brenda says
I moved my flight to the Domician Republic in June to September. It now looks like they won’t be flying then. My travel agent is still waiting for my initial credit for my flight to apply to my new trip. Southwest has refused to apply my $100 credit voucher to my new trip because they said they can’t mix payments with vouchers. Guess I will wait until they cancel this trip and then and educate them on DOTs refund policy.
Lyn Mettler says
Hmm, that stinks. You can have 3 different payment methods (each voucher counts as 1 payment method) per purchase. If you’re not having luck with one Southwest agent, call again and get a different one or try their Live Chat in the Southwest app. Good luck!
Lyn Mettler says
Hi Brenda, Quick update. The DR is planning to open borders on July 1, so unless that changes, hopefully Southwest will be able to add back in some flights at some point after that. I did confirm with a Southwest customer service rep that they are adding flights as there is demand. Thanks!
Lyn
Katie says
Our 8/15 flight to Belize was cancelled by SW and we were never proactively notified. I had to call to get my points put back into my account. I was very surprised to not have any notifications about this from
SW. I found out from you that they canceled everything through 10/30. We have postponed my daughter’s wedding in Belize as a result.
Lyn Mettler says
Oh wow, so disappointing for you! They have had to make so many notifications clearly they have let some slip through the cracks :(. Glad at least we were able to let you know!