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Re: Updated Southwest Airport Codes

John_Ocampos
Explorer C

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the forum and just came across this thread about the updated Southwest airport codes. As someone who frequently travels with Southwest, staying updated on any changes, including airport codes, is incredibly important for planning trips and ensuring a smooth travel experience.

I appreciate the effort to compile and share this information with the community. It's incredibly helpful, not just for frequent flyers but also for those who might be planning their first trip with Southwest soon. I was wondering if there are any tips or advice on how to easily remember these codes or if there's a particular resource, like an app or a webpage, that keeps an updated list that we can refer to quickly.

 

Additionally, if there have been any significant changes or additions that could affect travel plans, such as new destinations or removed routes, I'd love to learn more about those as well. Understanding the logistics behind these updates can also provide insights into Southwest's operational focus and future direction, which is fascinating.

3 REPLIES 3

Re: Updated Southwest Airport Codes

SoCalFlyer97
Frequent Flyer A

@John_Ocampos wrote:

I was wondering if there are any tips or advice on how to easily remember these codes or if there's a particular resource, like an app or a webpage, that keeps an updated list that we can refer to quickly.


Hello!

 

When it comes to memorizing anything, I almost always need to practice by physically writing the required memory items down with a pen and paper (not electronically) and repeatedly giving myself "tests" until they are memorized 100%. I would also split the memorization process into groups of smaller lists if the "big" list appears overwhelming.

 

As a free resource for airport codes, I would utilize Wikipedia's "List of Southwest Airlines destinations"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Southwest_Airlines_destinations

 

Save and Print the "Current destinations" section of this webpage page, and do a practice "pre-test". In the printout, I would first mark up the airports that you already know their codes plus the more common ones (e.g. LAX, SFO). Skip the airports that you don't know.

 

After that, count those up and "grade" the "pre-test". For those you missed or omitted, use the linked airports from the same Wikipedia page to look up the current codes for the ones you need to memorize and highlight those. Take a few moments and look over the completed worksheet.

 

At that point, repeat this "test" process but split up the list by focusing first on memorizing your favorite or nearby origin and destinations airports. Print out another copy of the "Current Destinations", but highlight your favorites, and test yourself again by writing in their codes specifically.

 

E.g. For me, they are:

Origins:
San Diego - SAN
Ontario, CA - ONT
Santa Ana/Orange County - SNA
Long Beach - LGB

 

Destinations:
Las Vegas - LAS
Sacramento - SMF
San Jose, CA - SJC
Oakland - OAK
Phoenix - PHX

 

Repeat this process until you have your favorites memorized 100%. After you memorize your favorite origins/destination airport codes, then go for a different small region and repeat the process (e.g. SW's Mexico destinations):

Cancun - CUN
Cozumel - CZM
Puerto Vallarta - PVR
Cabo - SJD

 

Repeat this process for each of these small groups until you feel comfortable completing the entire table by memory. At that point, give yourself a "final exam" and complete the entire list by memory. If you get a "bad" score, revisit the small groups and do another practice run. Keep repeating this "final exam" until you achieve 100%. At that point, you should have these codes committed to memory.

 

All the best!

Re: Updated Southwest Airport Codes

5280Av8r
Frequent Flyer C
@John_Ocampos wrote:

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the forum and just came across this thread about the updated Southwest airport codes. As someone who frequently travels with Southwest, staying updated on any changes, including airport codes, is incredibly important for planning trips and ensuring a smooth travel experience.

 

Additionally, if there have been any significant changes or additions that could affect travel plans, such as new destinations or removed routes, I'd love to learn more about those as well. Understanding the logistics behind these updates can also provide insights into Southwest's operational focus and future direction, which is fascinating.


I'm confused on what you mean by updated airport codes because usually those don't change. Now, the airports that Southwest serves can change if that's what you mean.

 

Here are some quizzes to learn some airport codes (not limited to Southwest):

https://www.jetpunk.com/tags/airport-code

 

You can also go to Southwest's route map in list view and it shows all the airport codes next to the city. 

https://www.southwest.com/route-map-list-view/?clk=RTMAPLIST

 

I follow https://swamedia.com/ to stay updated on route changes and additions. Also, their flight schedules page shows when their next schedule release is. 

https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/?clk=GSUBNAV-AIR-SCHEDULES


DEN (CLT) Based | Aviation Enthusiast | Full of Passion for Southwest

Re: Updated Southwest Airport Codes

DancingDavidE
Aviator A

@5280Av8r wrote:
@John_Ocampos wrote:

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the forum and just came across this thread about the updated Southwest airport codes. As someone who frequently travels with Southwest, staying updated on any changes, including airport codes, is incredibly important for planning trips and ensuring a smooth travel experience.

 

Additionally, if there have been any significant changes or additions that could affect travel plans, such as new destinations or removed routes, I'd love to learn more about those as well. Understanding the logistics behind these updates can also provide insights into Southwest's operational focus and future direction, which is fascinating.


I'm confused on what you mean by updated airport codes because usually those don't change. Now, the airports that Southwest serves can change if that's what you mean.

 

Here are some quizzes to learn some airport codes (not limited to Southwest):

https://www.jetpunk.com/tags/airport-code

 

You can also go to Southwest's route map in list view and it shows all the airport codes next to the city. 

https://www.southwest.com/route-map-list-view/?clk=RTMAPLIST

 

I follow https://swamedia.com/ to stay updated on route changes and additions. Also, their flight schedules page shows when their next schedule release is. 

https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/?clk=GSUBNAV-AIR-SCHEDULES


I used to play a game called "Airportle" as well but the airports are international and not just domestic or of course SWA destinations so limited use for this purpose, but still fun.

Home airport MDW, frequent visitor to MCO to see the mouse.