Introduction: Southwest’s Home at San Diego International

San Diego Airport Southwest Terminal 1 (T1) operates exclusively at San Diego International Airport (SAN). As San Diego’s single largest carrier in terms of departures and passengers carried, Southwest enjoys a dominant presence at the airport. The airline’s operations are currently undergoing a historic transformation with the opening of the New Terminal 1, a multi-billion dollar project that promises to revolutionize the passenger experience at one of California’s busiest airports.

The New Terminal 1: A Historic Transformation

After four years of construction, the first phase of the New Terminal 1 opened to the public in September 2025, marking a significant milestone for San Diego International Airport. The initial phase features 19 gates occupying 940,000 square feet—more than triple the size of the old terminal, which was only 274,164 square feet. The new facility represents a dramatic upgrade from the outdated 1960s-era terminal it replaces. Demolition of the old building began shortly after the new terminal’s opening, with construction on the remainder expected to continue through early 2028.

Future Expansion Plans

The transformation of Terminal 1 is a two-phase project. When Phase 1B is completed in early 2028, the terminal will feature a total of 30 gates. Southwest Airlines will be the single-largest tenant in the expanded facility. Currently, Terminal 1 hosts seven airlines: Southwest, Frontier, Sun Country, Spirit, JetBlue, Allegiant, and Breeze Airways. Air Canada and WestJet relocated to the new Terminal 1 in early 2026, further enhancing its international connectivity. Delta Air Lines is scheduled to join when Phase 1B opens in 2028. The project budget for the New Terminal 1 is $3.8 billion and is estimated to create between 15,000 to 20,000 construction-related jobs.

Southwest’s Expanded Service from San Diego

In anticipation of the new terminal’s opening, Southwest announced significant service expansions from San Diego. The airline is resuming flights to several destinations it previously discontinued, including Maui with daily service, Puerto Vallarta five times weekly, Seattle daily, Spokane on weekends, and Bozeman for spring break seasonal service.

Additionally, Southwest is expanding the frequency on existing routes to Nashville, Boise, Eugene, Orlando, Chicago-Midway, and Portland. The airline also announced twice-daily nonstop service between San Diego and Fresno Yosemite International Airport beginning October 2025, along with expanded service to Tampa and seasonal routes to Colorado Springs, Columbus, Milwaukee, and San Jose Del Cabo.

Arrivals and Baggage Information

Southwest flights arrive at Level 1 of Terminal 1, where passengers can claim their baggage from eight carousel belts. The Baggage Service Office is also located on this level for reporting delayed, damaged, or lost luggage. For international arrivals, passengers should note that the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office is located in Terminal 2. International travelers arriving on Southwest must clear customs at Terminal 2 before claiming their bags. For departing flights, the ticket counter operates from 4:15 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Self-service kiosks are available throughout the terminal for quick check-in and boarding pass printing.

A New Era for San Diego Travel

“Our San Diego customers patiently have anticipated this experience that will showcase our friendly customer service in the airport’s most modern and comfortable space, the new T1,” said Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer for Southwest Airlines. For Southwest, the additional breathing room in a new facility with more gates allows the airline to provide even more relevant air service as the perennial largest and most recognized airline in San Diego and throughout California. Whether you are catching a flight to Maui, returning from a business trip to Seattle, or heading to a weekend in Bozeman, the new Southwest Airlines Terminal at San Diego Airport promises a spacious, efficient, and modern gateway to the world.