As Southwest Airlines grapples with significant operational and financial challenges, including a drastic reduction in its fleet expansion plans and just announced job cuts, the impact on its Hawaii service remains a concern for many travelers. Southwest has become a significant part of Hawaii’s air service over the past five years since it started flying from the mainland and then interisland.
Today, the airline announced that it would receive only about 20 of the 85 new Boeing 737 MAX planes this year. This development has forced Southwest to rethink its route strategy and operational capacity, affecting services nationwide. They also said that instead of increasing the number of employees, it will shed some 2,000 jobs by the end of this year.
At the same, Southwest flight attendants agreed to a lucrative contract that would make them some of the highest paid in their profession while the airline struggles with a net loss revealed today.
Southwest announced it had incurred a net loss of $231 million in the first quarter of 2024. Earlier this week, Hawaiian announced it incurred even more significant losses in relation to its size. See: Hawaiian Airlines’ Outlook After Posting $138 Million Loss.
How will the plans announced today impact Southwest flights to and from Hawaii?
Last month, we reported on the challenges Southwest faced with its Hawaii operations, including fluctuating flight schedules and capacity adjustments. With the latest developments, the situation appears more precarious. The reduction in new aircraft deliveries constrains Southwest’s ability to maintain existing services and will limit its ability to expand or enhance its offerings to Hawaii.
Word of what was to occur today started last month when Southwest said it was implementing a “schedule re-optimization.” That was just the beginning. In response to these constraints, Southwest announced today the cessation of flights to four mainland cities and significant reductions at other airports.
CEO Bob Jordan has emphasized the airline’s commitment to maintaining reliable service, stating, “We are reacting and replanning quickly to mitigate the operational and financial impacts.” This statement underscores the airline’s focus on adapting to these new challenges with a focus on minimizing disruptions for travelers.
Implications for Hawaii tourism, residents, and visitors are to be revealed.
While these cuts we have talked about do not currently affect direct services to Hawaii, the overall reduction in fleet capacity could lead to fewer available flights, potential increases in fares, and changes in flight schedules for those traveling on Southwest to and from the islands. This could affect visitor arrival numbers and negatively impact Hawaii’s travel economy.
As Southwest navigates these challenges and determines what more may be necessary, we will monitor what further adjustments remain, depending on the airline’s ability to stabilize its operations in the current scenario and manage ongoing Boeing aircraft delivery delays.
Red-eye Southwest Hawaii flights could be one key to aircraft utilization improvement.
Last month, Southwest said their first-ever red-eye flights from Hawaii and Las Vegas would be tested. We expect that will happen within months, if not sooner, due to these very significant aircraft delivery constraint issues. Previously, the airline had expected that to occur within two years. But things were much different then.
Overnight flights may help Hawaii travelers if these flights bring with them any mitigation in high airfares. That would be as a result of decreased demand for nighttime flying. That stands to appeal to those Hawaii travelers looking to save on airfare.
As we continue to monitor these developments, we invite your feedback. Does this initial round of changes impact your travel plans to and from Hawaii? Do you have any thoughts on Southwest Hawaii flights during this period of change and about their plans for Hawaii red-eye flights?
Southwest has to be losing millions of dollars on their interisland side. They are flying half empty planes while adding more carbon emissions. They will never be profitable in this sector and should just give up or reduce their capacity.
Hello, it would be sad to see any Hawaiian flights cut! We go at least once a year and the perks on SW especially the luggage is outstanding! And the lowing prices are always a plus. Friendly always! Would we take red eyes yes more than likely! Hopefully flights will continue as planned.
Diane, while you say it would be sad to see HA reduce flights you say you support SWA? SWA is the airline that has been trying to hurt them in the marketplace by operating at a loss to try and insert themselves into Hawaii. SWA has been guilty of flooding the market with cheap fares and upending the tourism industry here and then cutting way back after the damage was done. Hawaii is very sensitive to businesses from out of state that try to take far more than they give. The so called “SWA effect” was very bad for Hawaii.
Southwest is an unpleasant airline and unfortunately they hitched their wagon to Boeing.
The interisland flying is money losing and expect it to mostly go away when they can start flying red eyes.
A red eye on Southwest. Shudder.
Red eye flights if making prices cheaper will definitely be welcomed. Hawaii people would love direct red eye flights to vegas.
Some context on how bad the arrivals are at Kahului (OGG). The US Department of Transportation (bts.gov) publishes monthly airline statistics. For “load factor” (i.e., how full the planes are), the latest information is from January 2024. destination airport, the stats are:
DEST Description Loadfactor
HNL Honolulu, HI: Daniel K Inouye International 84.17%
MKK Hoolehua, HI: Molokai 83.86
KOA Kona, HI: Ellison Onizuka Kona International at Keahole 81.18
LIH Lihue, HI: Lihue Airport 80.16
OGG Kahului, HI: Kahului Airport 74.76
ITO Hilo, HI: Hilo International 65.59
LNY Lanai, HI: Lanai Airport 59.61
The national average was 78.78% in January. The 74.76% load factor is very low for Maui.
Great articles.