If you thought it couldn’t get worse or more confusing for Hawaii visitors and residents in relation to getting stuck traveling over the holidays, think again. It just has. We had a note from regular commenter John, who also pointed out what we can confirm. Southwest interisland flights appear to be either canceled or made unavailable based on information directly from their website.
What’s happening wasn’t entirely clear, and at this time, there was no information from Southwest or on their website in this regard. Undoubtedly they were very busy trying to get things straightened out, which took priority. Southwest removed all flights from sale and actually stopped the vast majority of their flights while they resolved the situation over a period of three days.
Update from visitor stuck on Southwest from Hawaii.
Kelly updated us earlier today, saying, “We just came back from Maui. Our first flight was canceled they let us know after 4 hrs, and they rebooked us on a flight to Oakland at 1:40. That flight was delayed. Finally, at 5:40, all the flights were canceled. The communication was poor, and the terminal was chaos. We had to book ourselves on a United flight that left at 10 pm to SFO. Our travels were over 24 hrs to take a 5-hour flight home. The flight attendants and pilots were also frustrated. Very disappointed in Southwest it would have been better just to cancel in the morning, and we could have enjoyed our day in Maui. They seem to be having system problems with the personnel- they were not communicating with them either! United booked us, and the tickets were less than SWA.”
Thomas, who has still not reconnected with his luggage, added, “Our flight was canceled 4 times, two times in Maui and two times in Oakland which we had for our connecting flight… [We] got home 2 1/2 days later from the start of our first flight. Maui at least got us a hotel. Oakland told us we were out of luck and we had to sleep in the airport. They gave no compensation in Oakland.”
Updated. First, interisland flights through December 30 became unavailable earlier today. Later, so too have all flights to and from the mainland. In addition, Southwest has now seems to have stopped selling tickets systemwide until this mess can be cleaned up.
There is, as expected, a major ripple effect on Hawaiian Airlines interisland flight availability and pricing, as described below.
Canceled, not for sale, or unsure?
Some interisland flights this morning still appear to have been operating. Because information is so sparse as to what is happening at Southwest, it is impossible to determine whether some flights may continue to operate or not. It isn’t clear what Southwest is doing at this point since these flights probably aren’t their biggest problem.
If you are scheduled to fly Southwest interisland or to/from Hawaii this week, there is very little information to rely on.
We’ll update you with more information as soon as we can. In the interim, the safest bet might still be to check FlightAware and check to see if the incoming plane that your flight would use is actually operating.
Southwest cancels Hawaii and interisland flights and/or blocks all reservations through at least December 30
If you have tickets and are hoping to move around Hawaii between now and then, it appears that may not happen. Ironically, Beat of Hawaii editors Jeff and Rob are traveling around the state this week and originally looked at both Southwest and Hawaiian. In the end, we booked Hawaiian mainly due to the schedule of flights. It turned out to be a lucky move at least for this week.
Once we get closer to December 30, we’ll see if Southwest can bring the interisland flying schedule and ticket sales back or if that will come somewhat later in their overall flight restoration planning.
According to the SW website, the list of Southwest interisland flights no longer available includes the following.
- Honolulu to Maui – Unavailable at least through 12/30
- Maui to Honolulu – Unavailable at least through 12/30
- Honolulu to Lihue – Unavailable at least through 12/30
- Lihue to Honolulu – Unavailable at least through 12/30
- Lihue to Maui – Unavailable at least through 12/30
- Maui to Lihue – Unavailable at least through 12/30
- Honolulu to Hilo – Unavailable at least through 12/30
- Hilo to Honolulu – Unavailable at least through 12/30
- Maui to Kona – Unavailable at least through 12/30
- Kona to Maui – Unavailable at least through 12/30
Major impact on Hawaiian Airlines interisland flights.
We are seeing diminishing availability and increasing prices on Hawaiian Airlines flights interisland during this unforeseen mess, as people realize that there’s a good chance of not being able to fly Southwest in Hawaii for the time being.
While there is far more competition on flights to and from Hawaii from airlines including Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian and United, that simply isn’t the case here within Hawaii. There are two primary interisland carriers, and those are Hawaiian and Southwest.
Here are some examples of what’s available interisland through December 30 on Hawaiian Airlines. Availability is at the time of publishing, and inventory is likely to disappear quickly.
- Honolulu to Maui – Available from $39-$164
- Maui to Honolulu – Available from $39-$164
- Honolulu to Lihue – Sold out Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday limited $39-$164
- Lihue to Honolulu – Nearly sold out Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday $39-$164
- Lihue to Maui – Sold out Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday $95
- Maui to Lihue – Sold out Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
- Honolulu to Hilo – Sold out Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday $49-$95
- Hilo to Honolulu – Available from $39-$164
- Maui to Kona – Available from $94-$164
- Kona to Maui – Available from $39-$164
Examples of interisland flight availability on the Southwest website:
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RodW says
I wouldn’t be getting giddy about SWA troubles. Hawaiian has its own problems and not the $$$ or interest in fixing any.
Personally, I hope both learn important lessons and survive and thrive.
I will continue to fly Hawaiian as long as they are the only nonstop from Ontario to HNL. But, will give others a try if they add nonstop for that route. Hawaiian knows they have a monopoly on that route and will, naturally, squeeze us for all they can.
Dan L says
HA comes through…
On 12/22, the flight from HNL to SEA was diverted to OAK due to SEA being closed because of snow and airport closure. HA provided all the passengers food vouchers for the day, and when it was determined SEA would not reopen, provided all of the passengers a hotel room to sleep that night. In the morning, they provided 3 buses for a 15 hour trip to Seattle. This was the only real alternative, since many flights were cancelled or full. All made it to SEA by Christmas.
While not required since this was a weather related incident, HA came through for those passengers.
RodW says
I think Southwest is/has been one of the great airlines.
But, after this mess, it may take them 10 years to fully regain the trust of passengers. A lot of dollars will be spent rebuilding the brand.
I had one employee flying Tampa to Vegas yesterday 2.5 hour delay. But he got in. Today me employee flying LAX to Vegas – canceled
Kathy A says
Aloha.
Thousands of passengers are stuck at DIA (Denver) that were traveling on Southwest. Flights canceled canceled canceled. Some people have been here in Denver for four days!
Thanks for your info.
Jeanne says
MaYbe they are transferring crews and planes to the mess in the East!
Carl M says
this article is misleading. It’s simply not true that Southwest is canceling all interisland flights. Their problems on the mainland may have affected their Hawaii operations to some degree, but they are still flying to Hawaii, and continuing to do interisland service.
Kelly L says
We just came back from Maui our first flight was cancelled they let us after 4 hrs and they rebooked us on a flight to Oakland at 1:40, that flight was delayed finally at 5:40 all the flights were cancelled the communication was poor and the terminal was chaos. We had to book ourselves on a United flight that left at 10pm to SFO. Our travels were over 24 hrs to take a 5 hour flight home. The flight attendant and pilots were also frustrated. Very disappointed in Southwest it would have been better just to cancel in the morning and we could have enjoyed our day in Maui. They seem to be having system problems with the personnel- they were not communicating with them either! United booked us and the tickets were less than SWA
Michael D says
This is system wide. Phoenix to anything thru 12/31 is unavailable. Not just Hawaii…
Liam G says
Didn’t take long for hawaiian to start gouging consumers again. There’s your aloha. When will people realize just because they have all the Hawaiian name etc doesn’t make it a Hawaiian company it’s owned by people all over the world whose one goal is money.
Don K. says
And what company isn’t in business to make money!? Unless a business is privately owned it can indeed be owned by people all over the world so beyond stating the obvious, what’s your point?
JohnW says
Interesting, I checked on the HA website, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday was $79, Sat was $39, Sunday was $99. Seems pretty reasonable to me. If you want $39 tickets you are supporting a company that will provide that on the backs of the employees . There is no free ride.
Cheryl H says
Aloha, I have a comment from a SWA pilot I can share with you if you are interested? Regarding the meltdown at SWA? Let me know and I can copy & paste.. mahalo
JohnW says
Just saw a letter the head of the pilots union wrote to the membership, he outlined how deep rooted their problems are and how truly divided SWA has become between the employees and the management as well as the need for change…. he closed the letter with… “Until that happens, I fear the final meltdown may be right around the corner”.
Hard to believe, but PanAm dominated in the 60’s, Braniff at one point was the most profitable airline of the 70’s and Eastern the largest US carrier in the 80’s…no airline is bullet proof. SWA has higher costs now and a relatively cheap product that obviously doesn’t always work so well.
Mandy says
Planes & man power needed on mainland. to get people out of Hawaii back to mainland. It’s a mess and SW needs to do a reset. Sad it means doing this and more. It can’t take on new passengers when it has passengers stranded everywhere. I’m part of being caught in this mess. finally made it into the USA after 4 days delay now rented car to get home. 20 hr drive. grateful for a rental car. 2 luggage pieces are 😞 lost. SW employees are super employees they are working hard. It’s an upper corp issue they do need to be held accountable but Gen staff plz send a woo hoo to them. They are working their butts off even as they too are displaced – some like us with no lodging and they are still helping us. Govt needs to step in to help get people home
Liam g says
I’m sure the execs will reward themselves with huge bonuses and and buy back more stock to increase their bonus while laying off the staff. They actually said anyone calling in sick would be fired that’s how you run a business lol.
Paul L says
Mandy, what would you like the gov’t to do if they “step in to help get people home?”
Mark says
Aloha guys – SWA hasn’t “cancelled” those flights. They have stopped selling seats on all flights systemwide until they can clean up the mess. They don’t want people booking seats on flights that might be cancelled the next day. Once they determine what flights CAN be operated, the seats on those flights will be re-opened for sale.
Michael R says
FYI, the FAA says it will investigate Southwest’s high number of cancellations, including the Hawaii flights.
Thanks for your ongoing coverage of the commercial aviation fiascos with the Islands.
Joan l says
I am on sw 1183 lih to hnl today- 12/27- just arrived hnl. So far my return flihht tomorrow is operating
Andy M says
I’m just waiting for the lawsuits against SWA. What a mess. Really? what’s the point of cancelling inter island flights? Terrible move on SWA’s part. Many people I know are stranded all over the country because of SWA and they are having to rent cars and drive hours and days to their final destinations.
Adam says
I don’t think this is true. While you cannot buy a ticket on a SWA flight, if you already have a ticket, the flights are still flying
Laura C says
I’m assuming they need all possible man power to fix the mess they have with all the current stranded passengers… Is my guess anyway!
Traci B says
My kids flight from LIH to HNL on southwest just took off so some flights are going
Carolyn S says
Why is SWA doing this? Planes need on mainland? I heard the had big problems on mainland due to weather. Is that Ffecting Hawaii. Weird.
John says
Carolyn SWA operates their inter island flights from the mainland. They are dispatched from a mainland dispatch office with no local knowledge, the airplanes are from mainland flights that have just arrived from the west coast and the crews are from the mainland and only here for a day to fly what can easily be their first time in Hawaii.
It’s a completely different deal from HA’s full time inter island operation.
Carl M says
Actually, while it is true, that all of the aircraft that do inter island flights also do mainland to Hawaii flights as well, but the way Southwests crew system works, there are many local Hawaii residents who work for Southwest and are able to trade with flight attendants coming from the mainland and work the interisland flights. So there are many local residents working interisland flights. It’s not all mainland personal as you suggest.
JohnW says
Carl, not sure you caught it but I said “could easily be their first time”, not all. But the bottom line is SWA is a remote part time inter island operation whereas HA is a full time highly experienced inter island operation. They are based here, they have spare crews immediately available and have spare airplanes and parts on hand. As the recent Mauna Loa eruption and now this weather event shows, there is a distinct advantage to having a local airline.…and of course when you fly HA you are supporting the Hawaii economy, SWA ticket revenue goes to Dallas.
Carl M says
John , you also said … “and the crews are from the mainland” … which is what my reply was about. There is no argument that Hawaiian has the edge with local bases, more local personnel, etc. I worked for Hawaiian several years ago. I am not knocking Hawaiian, I just think, as a new comer to the islands, Southwest is at least giving options, and some needed competition. Also, Southwest does employ many local residents as ground personnel, and those jobs do benefit the local economy.
Hal M says
What’s the over/under for how long Southwest will last?
Joe says
Over 100%. Hawaiian is almost done. Haven’t made a profit for years
JohnW says
Nothing could be further from the truth than that Joe. Safe to say you you are pretty clueless about HA’s balance sheet, Amazon contract in the works or the fact that they were very profitable leading up to Covid. International is their bread and butter and Japan is starting to open up nicely.
JohnW says
Joe, I will say you have done a nice job of highlighting the issue of the SWA supporters that make throwing stones at a Hawaii institution as a means to try to promote themselves. People who love Hawaii don’t take to well to people not from here throwing stones at people from here. Pretty much the opposite of what Aloha is.