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In a bold move blending aggressive expansion and creative routing, Southwest has announced its first-ever service to Tokyo — with award prices starting at just 7,500 Rapid Rewards points.
The catch? You’ll need to make six stops along the way.
According to a Southwest spokesperson, the new Dallas Love Field (DAL) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) route is “designed to maximize both customer value and aircraft utilization,” with stops including: Houston (HOU), Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), Honolulu (HNL), and Guam (GUM):
“Thanks to our new variable award pricing, you can score this globe-trotting itinerary for as low as 7,500 points,” the rep said. “Of course, actual pricing may vary based on demand, weather, and the current whims of our new corporate overlords.”
Can't stomach that many stops? You can book a more direct routing (Dallas to Seattle to Anchorage to Haneda) for a whopping 37,500 points — assuming you’re okay with a 12-hour layover in Anchorage and the occasional refueling stop in the Aleutian Islands.
Due to crew scheduling, travelers must disembark and collect their bags at each stop. After rechecking bags, travelers will reboard. That means seating will reset on every segment.
“We believe this gives each customer a fresh chance to play the middle seat lottery,” the airline said.
Southwest is calling the new program Global Hopscotch™, and executives say it may roll out to other international destinations in the future. Early testing is underway for:
- London Gatwick (LGW) — via Baltimore, Boston, St. John’s (Newfoundland), and Reykjavík.
- Paris Orly (ORY) — via Orlando, Providence, Bangor, the Azores, and Lisbon.
- Sydney (SYD) — via San Diego, Maui, Pago Pago, and Auckland
“Why go direct when you can earn bonus points on every segment?” the spokesperson added.
Global Hopscotch™ service begins April 1. Just don't forget your passport — or your sense of humor. Because, yes, of course, this is an April Fool's Joke.
… at least for now. After ditching Bags Fly Free, gutting earnings on Wanna Get Away fares, adding basic fares, who knows what Southwest will do next!
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