Southwest Airlines Adds Austin’s Only Nonstop Flight to San José, Costa Rica
Austin and Central Texas travelers will soon have a simpler way to reach one of Central America’s most popular destinations.
Southwest Airlines has announced a new nonstop international route connecting Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, or AUS, with Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José, Costa Rica. The weekly service will begin March 13, 2027, and will operate on Saturdays.
The route will be the only nonstop flight between Central Texas and Costa Rica’s capital, expanding Austin’s international travel options while reducing the need for passengers to connect through another airport.
For local families, vacationers and business travelers, the addition means a more direct path to Costa Rica’s beaches, rainforests, volcanoes, coffee-growing regions and cultural attractions. The Saturday schedule is also designed to support weeklong vacations, with travelers able to depart Austin in the morning and arrive in Costa Rica during the afternoon.
New Austin-to-Costa Rica Flight Expands International Access
The outbound Southwest Airlines flight is scheduled to leave Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at 10:25 a.m. each Saturday and arrive in San José at 2:05 p.m.
The return flight is scheduled to depart Juan Santamaría International Airport at 3:05 p.m. and arrive in Austin at 7:20 p.m. the same day.
Flight times and frequency may change, according to the announcement.
Tickets for the new Austin-to-San José route went on sale July 16 through Southwest Airlines.
“We are proud to partner with Southwest Airlines to bring nonstop service between Austin and San José, Costa Rica,” said Ghizlane Badawi, chief executive officer of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. “This new route strengthens Austin’s growing global connectivity while making it easier than ever for travelers to experience Costa Rica’s breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant culture, and renowned hospitality. It further strengthens the ties between Central Texas and Costa Rica while supporting Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s continued growth as an international gateway.”
Southwest Deepens Its Longstanding Austin Presence
Southwest Airlines has served Austin for nearly five decades, and the Costa Rica flight adds another international option for customers using the airline’s Central Texas network.
“We are thrilled to bring this new service to Austin, where we have been the hometown carrier in the Texas state capital for nearly 50 years,” said Daniel Jones, vice president of network planning at Southwest Airlines. “Connecting Austin with San Jose, Costa Rica - one of the true gems of the Southwest international franchise – gives our loyal Customers in Austin even more reason to choose Southwest.”
The new flight also reflects Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s continued development as an international gateway. As the Austin metropolitan area grows, additional nonstop destinations can make the region more accessible to visitors while giving residents more choices for leisure travel, family visits and international business.
Direct air service can also strengthen tourism and cultural ties between regions by making trips easier to plan and reducing total travel time.
What Austin Travelers Can Explore in Costa Rica
San José is Costa Rica’s capital and largest urban center, but it also serves as a starting point for exploring destinations throughout the country.
Travelers can visit museums, restaurants and markets in the city before heading to nearby coffee estates, mountain communities and natural attractions. Poás Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s best-known active volcanoes, is within reach of the capital, as are rainforest destinations and wildlife areas.
San José also provides connections to Costa Rica’s Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, where visitors can find beaches, national parks, surf communities and resort destinations.
For many travelers searching for nonstop flights from Austin to Costa Rica, the new Southwest route could make it easier to build a trip that combines city experiences with outdoor adventures.
A Saturday Schedule Built for Weeklong Getaways
The once-weekly Saturday schedule may be especially useful for Central Texas residents planning a traditional weekend-to-weekend vacation.
Travelers are scheduled to arrive in San José during the afternoon, allowing time to reach a hotel or begin traveling to another part of the country before evening. The following Saturday’s return flight is scheduled to arrive back in Austin at 7:20 p.m.
Because the route will initially operate only once per week, passengers will need to plan carefully around the Saturday departure and return schedule. Travelers should also review passport requirements, entry rules, baggage policies and ground transportation options before booking.
What Happens Next
The first Austin-San José flights are scheduled for March 13, 2027. Service will operate in both directions each Saturday, although Southwest Airlines notes that schedules and flight frequencies are subject to change.
Travelers considering a Costa Rica vacation from Austin can now review fares and schedules through Southwest Airlines. As the launch date approaches, passengers should verify departure times and any applicable international travel requirements.
For Austin-area residents who have long wanted a direct connection to Costa Rica, the new route brings the country’s rainforests, beaches, coffee regions and Pura Vida lifestyle considerably closer to home.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for updates on new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport routes, Central Texas travel options and developments affecting local travelers.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.