United Airlines recently announced one of the largest international expansions in its history for summer 2025, focusing primarily on new routes to Europe, along with additional connections to Africa and Asia. Other airlines, such as Delta, are also planning to expand routes for 2025, with its largest ever schedule to Europe. However, noticeably absent from these announcements is Hawaii, a destination that has long been a staple of leisure travel for Americans.
Why Hawaii is missing from 2025 airline expansions.
Over recent years, airlines have begun right-sizing their Hawaii services, choosing to operate primarily from their focus cities or major hubs. This consolidation means that travelers who don’t live near these airports may have fewer options for direct flights to Hawaii and will likely need to rely on connecting flights through hubs like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, or Denver.
Southwest’s strategy with Hawaii routes generally includes leveraging its existing focus cities on the mainland, primarily in the western U.S., where it has significant market share and a large customer base. This hub-centric flying also ties into the broader theme of airlines becoming more conservative in their approach to Hawaii, sticking with tried-and-true routes rather than expanding.
Southwest’s red-eye flights mark their expansion plan.
One airline that has announced minimal expansion involving Hawaii is Southwest Airlines. The airline recently added Hawaii red-eye flights departing late at night from the islands starting next spring. For many travelers, however, this may not be the ideal solution.
Red-eye flights allow airlines to maximize aircraft usage and offer more flights without adding daytime schedules. However, for passengers, they can mean disrupted sleep and a less comfortable travel experience.
While these red-eye flights may appeal to cost-conscious travelers, they could also signal a shift toward less desirable options for those seeking convenience and comfort in their Hawaii travel plans.
What this means for Hawaii tourism and travelers.
With United and other airlines expanding their focus on international routes and limiting new options for Hawaii, the future for island travelers could be concerning.
Fewer flights mean less competition, which often leads to higher ticket prices. For travelers who rely on affordable Hawaii airfare, this could make planning a trip to the islands more expensive in 2025. Additionally, the lack of increased capacity might mean fewer options for flexible schedules or last-minute trips, forcing travelers to book earlier and plan farther in advance.
As airlines focus on international destinations, could Hawaii see a further dip in tourism numbers, particularly if flights become more expensive or less convenient? This could impact the state’s economy, which relies heavily on visitors and will be interesting to watch.
The future of Hawaii flights: Is there room for hope?
While the current announcements don’t include any new Hawaii routes, future expansions still have potential. Airlines may be waiting for the arrival of long-awaited more fuel-efficient aircraft, which could reduce operating costs and allow for more expansion.
Additional flights may also still be added during peak travel seasons, like summer and the winter holidays, when demand for Hawaii surges.
A mixed outlook for Hawaii flights in 2025.
As airlines focus on consolidating their operations, Hawaii flights follow a more conservative approach than others. Travelers planning a 2025 trip to Hawaii should closely monitor flights, fare sales, and book early to secure the best prices. Checking alternative airports and being flexible with travel dates always help mitigate potential price increases.
We welcome your thoughts!
It’s hard to imagine why Hawaii would turn up under new routes.
Why? Because there aren’t any high-demand markets that aren’t already being served. Most major West Coast cities now have direct service. Capacity can be expanded or contracted on existing routes simply up-gauging or down-gauging the aircraft type. United does this quite effectively by swapping 737s for 757s or 777s as demand dictates.
Coming into Winter, most East Coast markets look towards the Caribbean, where shorter flights and lower costs make it a much more profitable destination.
Am I mistaken to believe that this is what the people of Hawaii want? That has been the consistent message being sent out of Hawaii, especially Maui. Don’t come crying now because your pocket book is gonna hurt, or because it will be less convenient. Something about sleeping in the bed you made?
Another thing, the FTC should have considered with the Alaska-Hawaiian merger. Phoenix currently has 3 Non-Stops, 1-American, 1-Hawaiian and 1-SW, with currently only Hawaiian offering Day-time Service, American a Red-eye Return and SW a non consideration, given the Aircraft. Pretty paltry Service, given Phoenix is currently the Nation’s 4th to 5th largest City! That said moving here in ‘91, at that time, Delta and AA necessitated connections through LA, until about the late Millennia when America West began Service Non-Stop, that as they became USAir and subsequently AA had increased Service, until the consolidation had them move HQ back to Dallas. 95 Trips to Hawaii since 1986-2019 we’re not greatly effected, but the Red-Eye is a non-Starter, and if Alaska were to make Connecting, Hawaii would be a memory!
Try more flights from Canada n Mexico n Europe
Not going back. Not wanted, outrageous prices, crowds at local restaurants, inconvenient flights to get there, car rental companies that rip you off. The scenery is spectacular, been there at least 30 times, but as I age I know it’s not worth the trouble anymore. Glad I went when things were better, but no more. The aloha spirit is gone.
We had a week in a HGV penthouse planned for early October but cancelled due to the workers’ strike. Luckily, we pulled together a trip to Japan for early November. Costs will actually be lower, we’re in a 787, & courtesy from the locals will be superior to what we have recently experienced in Honolulu, not to mention departure from HND is much easier than HNL’s TSA lines! Can’t blame the airlines for realigning their focus.
Sorry to say this, but the main reason Hawaii is not experiencing an increase of vacation traffic is simple: Hawaii has become too expensive!
>>> However, noticeably absent from these announcements is Hawaii, a destination that has long been a staple of leisure travel for Americans.
The airlines are merely following the lead of both locals and governor Josh Green, who plainly believe Japan and Europe are far more important than cheap, disrespectful, undesirable mainlanders.
Ironically while airlines look to expand in Europe, activists in Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece have taken to the streets (especially outside cafes) to protest & harass tourists with Go Home signs and worse attacking them with water pistols, chasing them from outside cafes during meals. Yeah I sure want to spend my vacation money there!
Was in Portugal for 17 days in July. Porto, Vilamoura and Faro, saw nothing of that. Locals were very pleasant and it is much cheaper than Hawaii.
Shoot, with big delays from aircraft manufacturers, an expansion to Europe in 2025 means larger aircraft will get repositioned. So probably more single aisle flights to/from Mainland/Hawaii. Boo.
Hi Alfred.
Thanks. True that.
Aloha.