Some updates today regarding Southwest Hawaii connecting flights not from the west coast. The airline published a list early this morning of gateway cities that now offer one-ticket travel to and from Hawaii. We have received a huge number of inquiries about what cities currently have or will have one ticket service. Read on for exactly what the issue is, and why other airlines offer connecting service from across the US, while at this time at least, Southwest does not.
The Hawaii section on Southwest’s website is still a work in process. As of today it still said: “Soon Southwest will be flying to Hawaii,” which we know has been the case since March. This morning, Southwest posted the list of cities from which visitors to Hawaii can purchase tickets either non-stop or on Southwest Hawaii connecting flights. Later today, that list was removed. What that means, we’ll continue to monitor.
Here, however, is what we saw. The list includes both west coast and non west coast departure cities for flights to Hawaii. All of these require just one ticket:
Direct flight cities:
Oakland
San Jose
Connecting West Coast cities:
Burbank
Long Beach
Ontario
Orange County
Portland
Sacramento (direct service pending)
San Diego (direct service pending)
Seattle
Connecting non West Coast cities:
Albuquerque
Boise
Denver
Las Vegas
Minneapolis
Phoenix
Salt Lake City
Spokane
Why aren’t cities further east included for Hawaii Hawaii flights and when will they be?
Southwest does not offer red-eye (overnight) flights. Those are used by airlines to enable the long flights and many time zones between Hawaii and the eastern US. That could change for Southwest in the future, but apparently not in the short term. There are a number of issues including staffing and logistics that would need to be addressed to accommodate overnight flights. If and when that does happen, Southwest can offer connecting service from further afield. CEO Gary Kelly said, “we don’t really desire to fly red-eyes right now…. for our style of operation, it would complicate things.”
Until Southwest has overnight flights, travel from other originating cities will require two tickets.
Image courtesy of SWA Facebook page.
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Any word on Kauai when you are going to start flying there?
As a SWA employee that is here in OGG. I can say for now all main land flights will be nonstop to OGG or HNL. Reason for this is because those two stations are equipped to clean up the plane and get it ready for Interisland.
Thank you again for keeping up with the SW Saga. My mom is eagerly awaiting news of flights from PHX to OGG.
Hi Kiawe.
Most welcome. Saga is right.
Aloha.
Thanks so much for all of your info re: SW flights. I was able to book a flight from OAK to OGG no problem back when they first released them! And I fly free on my companion pass!!!! Thanks again. I’m hoping the OAK to OGG is not on the fated max jet – would you know? Mahalo!
Hi Tracy.
Everything to do with the Max return to flight, and consumer confidence, is still to be figured out.
Aloha.
Hi Tracy,
We just returned tonight from OGG (Maui) via OAK and it was on the 737-800 “series”. It was a smooth and comfortable flight both ways.
I can say that having flown coach on Delta & American to Hawaii, I felt like the SW plane did give a little more leg room than the others.
The safety card in the back pockets concerned a few mentioning “800” and I overheard people asking exactly what type plane we were on and of course, they explained the number “800” had nothing to do with the Max 8. People are definitely paying close attention now to this and rightfully so.
Thank you Beat of Hawaii for all of your helpful information!
Hi Wendy.
Thanks for that mini-flight report. It is helpful.
Aloha.
We can fly from Pittsburgh to Honolulu via Alaska Airlines with an overnight stop in Seattle – all on one ticket. Why can’t Southwest do something similar but with a stop in one of the California gateways?
Excellent question… for Southwest.
I saw a Southwest plane on the tarmac in Kona last week from my Hawaiian Airlines plane. Out of curiosity I searched some flights and man, is it difficult coming up with the right combo of dates and times for a flight to appear for San-Koa, I had no problem with OGG although the layovers were strange and some were long. I was looking in the October dates not sure the 6 weeks out rule us applying to these SW fares. Anyway, I had great flights on Hawaiian, picked my seats, the hot pockets were meh, and the aloha seemed a little lackluster, but the connecting flight in Maui gave me a couple hours to look around and the rum punch was ONO! I know SW claims to be cheaper but I’m starting to think an extra $100 for business class/extra comfort earlier boarding might be worth it, also MORE MILES. just some thoughts. Mahalo!
Hi Tammy.
Thank you. This is all going to get sorted out over time, once Southwest gets their planes back in the air and competition resumes. It will get interesting again.
Aloha.
Aloha. When you mention “direct flights” do you mean to say “non stop” ? – in airline terminology direct flights mean “no change of aircraft “..
Mahalo for your great information about future SWA flights to HI…
Hi Cheryl.
The direct flights are a combination of nonstop to Maui and Honolulu and connecting to Kona. That’s the current situation at least.
Aloha.
Thank you for continuing to keep us informed. Still waiting for Sacramento flights to be announced!
Hi James.
Thanks. We are all. This is all about the Max aircraft returning to flight and that is a big unknown in the industry.
Aloha.
aloha!
we keep hearing of expanding interisland service (including Lihue and Hilo. would you know of the timeline for these start ups?
mahalo- thanks
Hi Reg.
Unfortunately, there won’t be a timeline for new flights until the Max aircraft are set to resume flights.
Aloha.
Hi, my family is looking to fly to Hawaii any of the dates listed December 21, 2019 through January 4th for a week log vacation. I’ve finally started to see flights with dates available that far out. I’m just wondering if you think there is a possibility of ticket prices being decent, or am I dreaming that it’s a possibility? Right now I’ve seen pricing from $900-$1,500 per ticket. If that’s the case, we may have to reschedule as that’s very high fares. What is your experience with that time of year? Thanks!
Hi Jamie.
You didn’t say where you are flying from or to. However, you should expect to pay $700 from the west coast and $1,000+ from further afield at that time. Cheapest dates are usually on the holidays themselves or the days before.
Aloha.
Hi,
Any word on when Los Angeles to Lihue will be announced? 4th time posting here with no answer.
Hi Daniel.
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Aloha.
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I guess their main hub, Dallas Love, is south so waiting for direct flights to the islands from LA and San Diego for connecting Dallas. Looks like the Max 8 grounding is really hurting the progress right now. Very frustrating!