img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}Breaking an unusually long four-year hiatus, direct flights from Las Vegas to Cancun are finally returning, but before you start drawing up those winter travel plans, hold your horses. The relaunch is scheduled for June 4, 2026.
As announced by Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama, Southwest will be the one to re-establish the severed link between the Arizona hub and the Mexican Caribbean’s trendiest resort destination.
The last airline to fly on the LAS → CUN route was JetBlue, which operated a regular, nonstop service until April 2022, when they decided to pull the plug. Reasons for that are still uncertain, though some have pointed to operational costs and rising airport fees.
Southwest Is Officially Relaunching Las Vegas To Cancun Flights
The number one destination south of the border, highly sought-after for its five-star luxury resorts, powdered-sugar white sand beaches, and turquoise seas, Cancun has (oddly) not featured in Las Vegas–Harry Reid International Airport’s lineup for almost half a decade now.
Needless to say, the much-anticipated official return of flights between two of North America’s leading entertainment capitals is already making big waves across the industry, particularly due to the timeliness of it all.
Just in case you need a little reminder, the United States and Mexico are co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup from June 11. During this period, flight activity between the neighboring countries is expected to intensify significantly.
Besides FIFA enthusiasts, this is obviously great news for Vegas-based travelers, who will no longer need to face long, unnecessary layovers in transit hubs getting to their Cancun vacation. It’s not like the direct route isn’t long enough already, at 4h40, let alone with connecting flights.
So if you regularly fly out of Vegas, you can say goodbye to the long wait in airports like Dallas (DFW) and Houston (IAH).
More On The Flights
The fact that it’s Southwest that’s taken up JetBlue’s mantle is also sure to go over well with travelers. After all, theirs is probably the most customer-friendly baggage policy out of all the low-cost carriers in operation Stateside—we’re talking cheaper checked bag rates and less-strict size limits.
As mentioned previously, the route will be reactivated on June 4, 2026, amid Cancun’s low season, which is perfect for crowd-averse visitors and deal-seekers: beaches are typically less packed compared to the winter months, and hotels will usually slash prices to attract more guests.
As for frequency, flights will run five times a week, every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, ideal for sneaking into that sun-drenched long weekend.
Finally, the route is expected to be serviced on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with a 175-seat design. Coupled with the frequency, that’s plenty of seat availability.
Why Now?
Unless Frontier and JetBlue, which had both historically flown LAS → CUN plan a comeback in the near future, Southwest will remain the only carrier operating on this route.
As Governor Lezama stated, this will ‘strengthen air travel and bring more tourists’ during one of the busiest periods for the aviation sector in North America. Of course, we’re still talking about the upcoming World Cup.
The Cancun Sun also believes the timing of the announcement is ‘no coincidence‘, as airlines have been ‘aggressively’ expanding capacity flying to Mexico’s top destinations, and this includes Cancun, in the lead up to the world’s biggest sporting event.
Either way, the return of the route, overseen by none other than Southwest, is sure to increase competition. Las Vegas residents are no longer at the mercy of Delta’s or United’s rising fares, or suboptimal layover options when going to Cancun.
The Cancun Sun believes Southwest’s announcement will put ‘downward pressure’ on high fares seen across the market, particularly airlines that only offer connecting flights. In other words, cheaper tickets and better deals for travelers are almost certainly a given.
If you’re flying to Cancun International Airport (CUN) in the near future, make sure you read through these 5 must-know survival tips.
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