With yet another snowstorm punishing the northeast today, Southwest Airlines knew we needed a dose of sun-soaked daydreams. The airline has expanded its international travel itinerary to include more sandy beaches.

Southwest announced Monday that it’s entering the Mexican market by offering flights to Cancun and Los Cabos.

Beginning Aug. 10 the airline will operate daily, nonstop flights to Cancun from Atlanta and Baltimore/Washington. A Saturday-only nonstop flight will be available from Milwaukee to Cancun. Daily, nonstop flights to Los Cabos will also be available from Santa Ana/Orange County.

Beginning in October, Southwest will offer daily, nonstop service between Denver and Cancun and Saturday-only flights to Los Cabos.

In late January, Southwest announced their first foray into international flights would begin July 1 with daily trips to Aruba, Jamaica and the Bahamas. The inclusion of international travel was one of the most anticipated aspects of Southwest’s 2011 merger with AirTran.

The new routes will be eligible to be purchased using Rapid Reward points and travelers can begin booking flights now.

The integration of AirTran is expected to be completed by the end of 2014. At that time, all international flying will be converted to Southwest airlines.

Southwest’s first international routes won’t be its last. Officials said in January that they will look to expand international travel outside the scope of AirTran’s current routes as early as 2015.

Southwest Airlines Bringing New Service To Mexico! [Southwest Airlines]

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