Pittsburgh International Lands West Coast Service From Southwest

Southwest Airlines today announced that it will start nonstop service to Los Angeles International Airport from Pittsburgh International Airport beginning Aug. 7.

The flight will be once daily each way. The flight is scheduled to depart PIT at 7:10 p.m. and arrive at LAX at 9:10 p.m. The return flight departs LAX at 4:55 p.m. and arrives at PIT at 12:25 a.m.

“The addition of LAX from Southwest shows that they believe in the growing regional economy and the community support here,” Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said. “Additional west coast service has been a key goal for our business leaders, including those in the high-tech and film industries. We look forward to working with Southwest as they continue to grow in Pittsburgh to meet the pent-up demand for more flights.”

The announcement from Southwest brings its total number of nonstop destinations from Pittsburgh to 16 – more than any other carrier.

“The greater Pittsburgh region holds a unique place in Southwest’s network playbook,” said Dave Doty, Southwest Airlines Senior Manager, Network Planning. “We take great pride in providing customers who frequent Pittsburgh International Airport, with consistent low fares, unmatched convenience, and Southwest’s unique and world-famous customer service.”

More service to the west coast has been a top priority for Pittsburgh International and CEO Christina Cassotis. The Southwest flight complements service offered by American to LAX and United to San Francisco. Today’s announcement is the latest in a string of service additions from several different carriers that have pushed the airport’s nonstop routes to 54, including OneJet’s Hartford announcement last week. Southwest has been growing steadily and will launch nonstop service to St. Louis in March. The airline celebrated its 10th anniversary in Pittsburgh last year.

“We’re thrilled that Southwest has continued to invest in our market during the past decade by steadily adding nonstop destinations across the country from Pittsburgh International,” Cassotis said. “We know that more west coast service is key to helping our thriving business community grow, including enabling better access to venture capital to support the growth here.”

Russ Streiner, Chairman of the Board of the Pittsburgh Film Office, said Pittsburgh International Airport has been an important partner in growing the film industry in Western Pennsylvania.

“Nonstop flights to Los Angeles are an immense boost to how we do our business and that has a direct result in the amount of film work that goes on in Pittsburgh,” Streiner said. “That results in additional jobs for the region and general economic well-being.”

Thomas Tull, who has an ownership stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers, serves as Chairman and CEO of Legendary, and has long called Pittsburgh his home said the announcement is a win for the region.

“Bridging the economies and cultures of Los Angeles and Pittsburgh is a huge win for the businesses, people and tourists who will benefit from this new air transit link,” said Tull, who was instrumental in bringing films such as The Dark Knight and others to the city. “This direct path will bring together the worlds of sports, entertainment and technology in a meaningful and long-lasting way.”

Southwest launched service from Pittsburgh International Airport on May 4, 2005 with nonstop service to four cities. With today’s announcement, the airline will serve 16 nonstop destinations from Pittsburgh, including Las Vegas, Orlando, and Dallas with nearly 30 flights a day.

Pittsburgh International Airport currently serves 54 cities nonstop, up from 37 two years ago. Passenger traffic topped 8.1 million in 2015, up 1.6 percent. A complete listing of Pittsburgh International Airport’s nonstop destinations can be found