Southwest stepped forward with a very unusual early announcement. They are offering all interisland airfares for just $19 each way (we just booked interisland travel and it was actually $16 rather than $19) for the next few days to help move people and pets around the state, as a result of the devastating fires on Maui and the Big Island.
At the same time it was just reported that United Airlines is cancelling all incoming passengers on flights to Hawaii and will instead fly empty planes to Maui in order to ferry mainland passengers home. We do not that they have 6 cancelled Maui flights today. American Airlines may in fact be doing the same thing, and is reporting 7 canceled Maui flights today.
This is a good will gesture in a dire situation, and appears to have nothing to do with promoting airfares at all, in this, a very stressful and challenging time in Hawaii.
Here’s the brief Southwest Hawaii offer:
“Due to the ongoing wildfires in Maui, and the need for people to get off of that Island, Southwest is offering $19.00 fares for all nonstop interisland flights today through Friday. There are also lower fares from Hawaii to the mainland for that same timeframe. The interisland pet fare is being decreased to $1.00 per flight. The fares have been published online, and Customers have already begun booking.”
Southwest Airlines
Southwest also indicated that their pet fee would be just $1 per flight during this time frame. While Hawaii to the mainland at reduced flights was also indicated, we did not find those.
Hawaiian Airlines $19 one way airfares.
Hawaiian joined and is also offering what appears to be a more limited number of interisland seats at a price of $37 round-trip. These special circumstances airfares are for Wednesday through Friday of this week only.
Travel to Maui, however, should be avoided entirely at this time.
The situation is very fluid and the infrastructure of the entire island is overwhelmed by the enormity of the devastating and unprecedented fire that destroyed Lahaina yesterday.
The state has asked that people please delay travel to Maui until further notice. Also read:
Maui Fire: Do-Not-Fly + Guide To Cancellations/Refunds/Travel Waivers
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Interested In Future travel to other hawaiian islands
Praying for All Maui people safety including: visitor’s natives & residents having to flee Evacuate due to very horrible wildfire disaster.
For those who want to help from Oahu there is a food and supplies drive at Pearl Country Club. Drop at the Clubhouse during business hours. Also, Blood Bank of Hawaii has is in dire need for donors and is a great way to help those hurting the most.
Aloha!
Southwest is a great company showing Aloha when its needed most.
Hopefully this will dispell the negative feelings some Hawaii residents have expressed since thier initial service to the islands.
Many thoughts and prayers to those hurting so deeply on Maui!
Why is it that you advertise $37 dollar r/t tickets and they are don’t exist
My prayers go out to all of people who are suffering from this disaster. The airlines shouldn’t be charging for flights to leave Maui. The people have lost enough
May God bless you and your staff you all doing this from your.
Heart.god bless mari
Can volunteers get to maui?
I just feel so sick about this devastation. I love Maui and have been there over 10 times. I already donated to the Red Cross and I wish I can do more.
Nice to see airlines stepping up to the plate.
What a Sad Time For The Island of Maui Hawaii. The People and the family of everyone. My heart Go’s out to you. God Bless Each and Everyone .
It’s sad what’s happening in Maui ,feel sad for the millions of houses been burn,it’s great what Southwest airlines is doing to help people fly out,Also theirs other airlines that are offering help too. Thank you Southwest for the great help y’all are. doing to help.Those fires have destroyed alot and many have lost their life’s.We always fly Southwest ,it’s great what they are doing.God bless you all.
God bless you southwestifly with you when i fĺy
Again SWA shows its true colors by slashing inter island travel. LUV ❤️ Southwest. Clean planes, friendly employees and No Assigned seats is the reason I fly SWA. I vote with my wallet.
Finally some Aloha spirit taking hold amid the tragedies of the past few days. The people of Hawaii have long memories like the Don Hon Song I will remember you…
Thank you so much for this information. I would like to come and offer food to the workers in the trenches. They need support as they work where needed. Please if you could help me in this.
Hi Debbie.
The requests have been for financial donations primarily. If anyone knows of a way to help with your desire, they are free to comment.
Aloha.
Aloha I have a lot of friends on Maui thank you for doing this the people of Hawaii Bless you all and Bless Maui!
All the roads are closed to the west side.
They are stuck there with no power no internet and very limited cell service. This will only help those already on that side and at the airport. Most tourists evacuated don’t have their belongings, there was no warning.
I also agree with Bonnie. The small fair is nothing and trust me Southwest is not making any money on this fair. It is probably some legal situation they gave to abide by. Let’s give credit where credit is due. For goodness sake, people Stoop finding something wrong with people trying to help. Be positive! What are you doing to help the people of Maui?
God bless Maui and all those that live there.
My heart breaks for Hawaii people,I love those islands
We live in Ohio. My wife and I traveled to Maui several times. We was married on the beach in Maui. We love Maui and all the people on this island. It breaks our hearts to see what has happened. Our thought and prayers are with you.
We feel the same way. It is so sad to see it burn like that.
We love going to Maui every January when it is cold in NJ.
We also have to consider that these airlines are paying for the utilities, gas and people who are going to help the passengers, I would say what they are charging is just fair. The airliner s and their supports in that plane is also taking their chances.
We are considering visiting the hawaiian islands next winter. Nov -Dec 2024 thru February March 2025. The length of the stay would provide us 3 to 4 weeks on each island. Enjoying everything that the Hawaiian Islands has to offer.
Looking for suggestions as how to make the most of this extended experience. Thank you in advance for any and all advice. Also, what is the best way to find extended stay, ocean view, beach access properties?
Thanks again
The “sale” is to expedite travel off of Maui for those displaced to either family or friends on other islands, or to the Oahu Convention Center and to Maui for any aid workers.
It would’ve been really humanitarian of Southwest Airlines and American Airlines, to offer the people of Hawaii free flights to other islands. Also, $50..00 R/T fares to the mainland until they could settle things with their insurance companies. This is a humanitarian thing, not to capitalize on people in crisis like this. Just my thoughts.
Agreed
Charging a small fare may be a legal situation that we are not aware of. Be kind, as they are assisting those in need. God bless all those affected and ones in harms way trying to help others.
It breaks my heart as we watch Lahaina burning fires. My husband and I travel to Maui almost every year and it will be so sad to see Maui in this situation. Our hearts go out to the people that were affected. We are praying for you Maui and Big Island… Love you all!
I am currently on a United flt (Thurs 8/10) from Houston to Oahu. It is completely full. I doubt United is cancelling flights accept to specifically Maui..
Thank you Southwest for always being first to help out in disaster time of need. Your my favorite airline and just hate when you get bad press .
I’m with you Bonnie.
However, Hawaiian is the only non-stop from Ontario and that’s how we fly to HNL.
May the people of Maui, all of Hawaii recover and prosper.
It seems like a great time to see carriers responding to the humanitarian needs of the people caught in Maui during this crisis. Evacuating those who have a place to go on another island for $16 and their pets for a $1 is a good thing.
My news feed tells me that 36 people have died on Maui due to the fires. That’s some true ugliness,
My prayers and thoughts are with the people that lost there life,the injured, and those who lost there home..
Hi there, Hawaiian Airlines charged us $1196 each to fly back to the SF Bay Area today 8/9 on their 2:25 flight from Maui to Oakland. We tried to book online and found several seats for around $300 a piece. The website took all our info and credit card and said it was booked but never received an email or confirmation. So I called the airline and talked to reservations. They informed me that the booking did not go thru and they only had 2 first class seats available. Originally they quoted $1250 each. Then offered a discount of $1196 each. We had already tried Alaska, United and Southwest. Were told no flights available to the mainland. Home safe now…$2392 later.
I think this is great, Southwest! Prayers to our brothers and sisters in Maui.🙏
I applaud Southwest, Hawaiian and United for providing help when the residents of and visitors to Maui can use a break.
Isn’t that what Aloha is all about? I think we all know how expensive it is to fly an empty plane from the mainland to Maui – kudos to United.
Everyone impacted by the wildfires are in my thoughts for safety and recovery. This is absolutely devastating to the local community.
Aloha and thank you for the constant updates. I live in Honolulu and so many huis here are gathering donations for our severely wounded neighbor island. But how to get donations there? Since there will be relatively empty inter island flights with destination TO Maui , couldn’t airlines open it up to transport donations of food and supplies from HNL to Maui airport? Even Mainlanders could “same day deliver” from Honolulu Costco and Walmart to a specified location at HNL and have these empty planes deliver ASAP to Maui. Amazon deliveries for mainland donations will take 5-7 days at best. Maybe BOH inside track with airlines and politicians could make this happen(?). I’ve messaged the Gov but his hands are full so who knows if/when my message would be seen…just trying to get creative in this horrible time. Mahalo Nui Loa
Hi Michelle.
We’re are wondering about how that might be coordinated as well. Let’s see what we can find out. Thanks.
Aloha.
Southwest is doing such a great thing to help the people of Maui and their pets. Thank you Southwest Airlines !
Prayers for those that are fighting the fires and those affected by displacement and/or loss of home and belongings.🙏
I have visited the island multiple times. My heart aches when hearing this news❤️
God bless Maui
Anyone needing accommodations we have space on Kauai… lots of friends we know are open in August. Check airbnb.
My heart goes out to Maui.❤️❤️😢❤️❤️