Southwest expands flights to accommodate Taylor Swift crowds at Eras Tour fall shows in the US

Southwest Airlines wants to make money with Taylor Swift Manipulate the service by offering additional flights to the crowds of fans who want to see the pop star in concert when her Eras Tour returns to the U.S. this fall.

The budget airline said on Thursday that it was adding additional flights to meet the expected high demand from so-called Swifties traveling to their performances in Miami and New Orleans in October.

“Due to strong demand for last year’s US tour, the airline is adding more than 10 flights to its schedule to make it easier for Swifties to get to and from their concerts,” the airline said in a statement to CBS News, noting that the flights can be booked now.

As part of their Epoch tourSwift is scheduled to perform at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on October 18, 19 and 20. She will then perform at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on October 25, 26 and 27.

Flight number 22

In a nod to Swift’s music, Southwest will offer two additional routes on October 17 that may sound familiar to her fans. Flight number 22 – a reference to the singer’s song “22” – will fly from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Flight 1989 – a reference to Swift’s birth year and an album of the same name – will fly from Nashville International Airport to Miami International Airport.

On October 20, Southwest will operate flight 1313 (a nod to Swift’s favorite number, 13) from Miami to Nashville, the airline said. It will also operate flight 1213 from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood to Baltimore, Washington, to send fans back to their home states.

The following week, the airline set its sights on New Orleans, timed to coincide with Swift’s concerts in the city.

On October 24, Southwest will add flights from Austin to New Orleans and from Baltimore/Washington to New Orleans. The following day, the airline will offer additional flights from Dallas Love Field Airport to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and from San Antonio International Airport to New Orleans.

On October 27, Southwest increased its flight schedule to bring Swifties home from the concerts, offering an additional flight to each departure city.

“Southwest is thrilled to welcome the Swifties and looks forward to celebrating with them as they hit the road to see one of the most successful artists of all time!” said Southwest.

According to the airline, the flights can now be booked on Southwest.com. For flight number 22 from Baltimore/Washington to Fort Lauderdale, tickets are available for prices between $468 and $543. The cheapest fare for this route is sold out. Flight 1213 is also still available and offers tickets for the same price.

Southwest is not the first company to respond to the so-called “Taylor Swift effect” sparked by her superstar status and legions of loyal fans. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said last year that Swift’s tour helped boost the travel and tourism sectors in the regions where she performed. The U.S. Travel Association also said Swift fans spent an average of $1,300 in the local economy on travel, hotel costs, food and merchandise.