Forget LAX: The Hawaii Flight Disruptor You Didn’t Expect

When Southern California travelers think about flying to Hawaii, major hubs like LAX or even San Diego often come to mind. But now, one smaller SoCal airport is taking an unexpected step to become an even more serious player for Hawaii-bound travelers.

That airport is Long Beach (LGB), only 30 minutes from LAX, and it’s quietly redefining how regional airports might position themselves in the competitive world of Hawaii air travel.

A new strategy takes flight.

Long Beach Airport just launched a flight search tool directly on its website. That doesn’t sound revolutionary until you realize what it actually does.

The tool, powered by KAYAK and branded as FlyMyAirport, lets users search for nonstop and connecting flights from Long Beach to almost anywhere—including all available Hawaii routes—across all airlines operating at the airport. Rather than favoring a flagship carrier or promoting loyalty programs, LGB wants you to start your Hawaii vacation with them or consider LGB as a connection point to Hawaii.

Long Beach Airport becomes an online travel agency of sorts.

It’s an unusual move in an industry where airports typically serve as passive hubs for specific airlines. LGB is flipping that dynamic by acting more like an online travel agency, directly courting passengers regardless of carrier. For Hawaii travelers, this means more visibility into Hawaii flight options starting or connecting at LGB, including those you might miss on airline-specific sites.

Why this matters to Hawaii-bound travelers.

Long Beach isn’t a huge airport — it has just three airlines with regular service: Southwest, Hawaiian, and Delta. And only two of those directly serve Hawaii. Yet between them, there’s more connectivity to Hawaii than you might have expected.

Southwest flies nonstops to the islands from LGB. Hawaiian offers connecting flights to all islands via its hubs in Honolulu and Maui. On the other hand, Delta has no direct Hawaii flights from Long Beach, but instead provides one-stop connections through Salt Lake City or other mainland gateways.

The new tool makes it easier to discover these less apparent options. That could open the door for price-sensitive travelers looking to escape the chaos of LAX while still getting competitive fares to the islands.

One frequent flyer put it simply: “It is so much easier going in and out of Long Beach than the chaos of Los Angeles. It would be wonderful to have a direct from LGB to Lihue… but in the meantime, the connection in Honolulu or Maui is appreciated.”

More importantly, LGB is now actively shaping Hawaii travel patterns by promoting all available options without bias. As airfare volatility continues and grows, and airline policies shift rapidly, that kind of transparency could resonate with travelers who care more about getting to Hawaii affordably than racking up loyalty points.

Connecting the dots on Southwest and Hawaiian.

This comes when both Southwest and Hawaiian are navigating major changes. Southwest has announced sweeping cuts to Hawaii flights from several California cities, including some reductions at LGB. Meanwhile, Hawaiian has been acquired by Alaska Airlines, raising questions about how its Hawaii-first network will evolve as that integration progresses.

Despite this, LGB’s tool gives both airlines equal footing — and, in doing so, highlights something often overlooked: smaller airports can still offer real flexibility to Hawaii travelers. The traditional idea that you need to fly out of LAX to reach the islands is increasingly outdated.

For example, Southwest’s nonstop LGB-to-Honolulu flights still run regularly and offer an alternative to its larger hub operations.

While it may be more limited at LGB, Hawaiian’s presence also leverages the FlyMyAirport tool to make it easy to find multi-leg itineraries that even combine various carriers in ways most people wouldn’t typically think to search for manually.

One LGB enthusiast shared, “LGB is an amazing airport, so fun and easy. Hawaiian flight crews told us they much, much prefer a flight out of LGB or ONT.”

In that sense, LGB is breaking down the walls between airlines and platforms, helping travelers build their own Hawaii trips rather than being locked into one airline-centric ecosystem.

A sign of what’s coming for other airports?

Long Beach’s approach could set a precedent. As regional airports struggle to compete with massive hubs, offering better search tools may be one way to stay relevant. For Hawaii-bound travelers in Orange County, LA, or even San Bernardino, that means more potential jumping-off points to begin their next island trip.

LGB has already undergone $125 million in renovations and celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. It’s working to shed its reputation as a backup option and become a full-service choice — particularly for leisure travelers heading west across the Pacific.

This strategy also taps into growing frustration over airline booking restrictions, hidden fare classes, and shrinking free benefits. By being airline-agnostic and focusing on the destination, LGB is flipping the script on behalf of passengers.

They’re not saying “Fly Southwest to Hawaii.” They’re saying, “Fly to Hawaii from here — however works best for you.” And that’s a shift worth watching as it continues to evolve.

What does this mean for your next Hawaii trip?

If you’re flying from or connecting through Southern California, it might be time to reevaluate your airport strategy. LGB is smaller, often faster, and now more user-friendly for comparing fares. It’s one that visitors continue to leave favorable comments about. Now its new search tool could help uncover Hawaii deals — hidden gems that might be missed entirely on other booking platforms. Or at least that’s LGB’s hope.

For those who prioritize ease, price, and convenience over airline loyalty, LGB’s message is clear: we’re open to anyone who wants to get to Hawaii — and we’ll help you figure out how to do it.

And with Southwest changing its free bag policy and Hawaiian’s future still somewhat uncertain under Alaska’s new umbrella, having a third-party tool that lays it all out could make a difference when you’re planning your next trip to the islands.

As one traveler shared about Hawaiian, “At least they’ve maintained LGB-OGG as a direct flight. Long Beach is a far more pleasant experience than LAX if you can swing it.”

One last thought.

As another reader recently said, “I just want to get to Kauai without the hassle. If Long Beach makes that easier, I’ll start there every time.”

That sums up the opportunity here. When smaller airports meet Hawaii travelers where they are — flexible, price-conscious, and looking for clarity — it might just change the Hawaii air travel game.

And LGB might be the first of many airports to realize this opportunity.

Will you be considering LGB on your next Hawaii vacation?