Southwest Airlines has now officially updated its Hawaii offerings by adding seven new overnight red-eye routes from the islands to major focus cities on the U.S. mainland. It positions Southwest as a competitive force in Hawaii’s late-night, highly connected travel market, a trend long dominated by Hawaiian, Alaska, and legacy airlines.
Depending on the route, these will offer travelers from Hawaii additional flexibility and options, particularly for those returning home from the islands, starting between April and June 2025.
First keep in mind that this expansion is in most cases just a replacement for existing daytime flights. Those include Kauai and Kona to Las Vegas, which currently operate during daytime hours. One of the advantages for BOH editors, for example, will be when traveling beyond Las Vegas. Previously that was complicated because the flight arrived late at night in Vegas, without an ongoing Southwest flight until the next morning. With overnight flights arriving early in the morning on the mainland, it will make available the entire Southwest route network for connections.
Southwest’s red-eye roll-out reflects several things. First, it shows a commitment to evolving traveler needs for visitors and residents. Secondly, these flights will result in better aircraft utilization, especially given that new planes on order from Boeing are delayed. With demand for Hawaii flights peaking in summer, these new routes provide timely overnight options to their major mainland focus cities.
Following are the details of these new overnight flights:
Southwest’s new Hawaii red-eye routes starting April 2025.
- Honolulu (HNL) to Phoenix (PHX)
- Flight Schedule: Departs 9:05 PM, arrives 6:05 AM (next day).
- Start Date: April 8, 2025
- Notes: Joins American Airlines in offering overnight service, catering to travelers who prefer to maximize their day in Honolulu.
- Honolulu (HNL) to Las Vegas (LAS)
- Flight Schedule: Departs 9:00 PM, arrives 5:50 AM (next day)
- Start Date: April 8, 2025
- Notes: Southwest’s entry into the Honolulu-Las Vegas red-eye market provides additional flexibility on this heavily trafficked route, commonly known as Hawaii’s gateway to “the ninth island.” Hawaiian also flies that overnight route.
- Kahului (OGG) to Phoenix (PHX)
- Flight Schedule: Departs 8:30 PM, arrives 5:20 AM (next day)
- Start Date: June 3, 2025
- Notes: Southwest joins American Airlines in offering overnight service, catering to travelers who prefer to maximize their day in Maui.
- Kahului (OGG) to Las Vegas (LAS)
- Flight Schedule: Departs 8:25 PM, arrives 5:00 AM (next day)
- Start Date: April 8, 2025
- Notes: The only nonstop red-eye option from Maui to Las Vegas, adding convenience for those frequently traveling this popular route.
- Kailua-Kona (KOA) to Las Vegas (LAS)
- Flight Schedule: Departs 8:30 PM, arrives 5:10 AM (next day)
- Start Date: April 8, 2025
- Notes: Expands direct overnight access from the Big Island to Las Vegas, meeting demand from Kona residents and visitors who frequent “the ninth island.”
- Lihue (LIH) to Las Vegas (LAS)
- Flight Schedule: Departs 8:40 PM, arrives 5:30 AM (next day)
- Start Date: June 5, 2025
- Notes: A unique overnight option from Kauai provides red-eye access to Las Vegas and minimizes daytime travel interruptions for island residents.
- Honolulu (HNL) to Los Angeles (LAX)
- Flight Schedule: Departs 9:05 PM, arrives 5:35 AM (next day)
- Start Date: April 8, 2025
- Notes: Joining an already overcrowded field, Southwest will be the fifth airline to operate nonstop red-eye option to LAX.
A Significant Shift in Southwest’s Hawaii Strategy.
Southwest’s new red-eye routes come amid a notable shift in its Hawaii strategy. Recently, the airline announced there will be upcoming reductions in interisland flights, which we believe will be significant, in a move to reallocate resources towards profitable mainland-bound flights. The changes mean that while Hawaii travelers will enjoy more red-eye options, interisland travelers may face fewer choices, higher prices, and potential added reliance on Hawaiian Airlines for certain routes.
These adjustments align with recent airline industry trends, where airlines are increasingly evaluating the profitability of specific routes and then taking rapid, decisive action. On the positive side, with the overnight mainland flight supply increasing, Southwest’s red-eye options may be well positioned to provide valuable cost and time savings for travelers who prioritize an overnight return to the mainland.
Visitor Reactions and Anticipated Impact.
Southwest’s expanded red-eye options have already generated lively discussion among travelers and Hawaii residents in our comment community. Here’s what some of them have had to say:
- Loretta: “Agree 💯” on expanding red-eye options to cater to customer demand.
- Aloha M: Expresses concerns about airport infrastructure limitations, noting that “without airport service expansion, there’s little hope” for additional services to be available in Hawaii airports for night flights.
- Ray: “Hey Southwest! How about a direct red-eye Hilo to Las Vegas?” This shows a demand for more direct inter-island flights to mainland hubs.
- J: “Southwest needs to include L.A. on the red-eye flight schedule,” reinforcing the desire for increased options.
- Southwest L: Hopes that Southwest that these flights retain its “no baggage fees” policy and unique customer-friendly model, particularly in light of the recent focus on investor expectations and route profitability.
As Southwest prepares to launch these seven new Hawaii routes, travelers to and from Hawaii will gain new opportunities to maximize their time on the islands while reducing layover hassles. The expanded red-eye services are expected to have a notable impact, offering flexibility to those who prefer overnight travel, including business travelers, weekend tourists, and younger visitors. For interisland flights, however, downsizing coming to Southwest may bring challenges, and Hawaiian Airlines may further dominate local travel in the islands.
Related Southwest Hawaii news:
- Southwest Hawaii Red-Eye Flights To Be Announced This Month?
- Updated: Southwest Testing Red-Eye Flights to Hawaii Amid Growing Trend.
- Southwest Hawaii Overnight Flights Are On + Red-Eyes Coming.
- Hawaii Left Behind? Why 2025 Airline Expansion Plans Could Spell Trouble.
We’ll continue to monitor and update readers on these Southwest Hawaii developments as schedule changes approach.
What are your thoughts on the new Southwest Hawaii overnight flight roll-out?
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For our family, the change in the non-stop Lihue to Vegas time is very disappointing. We loved flying during the day, arriving at 4 p.m., checking into the hotel and enjoying the evening.
Now with the red-eye we’ll have to sleep on the plane (ha!), arrive at 5:30 a.m. , pay for an extra hotel day in order to check in immediately…probably be tired and lose a few hours napping.
What time will the return flight be? I’m guessing not the comfortable 11 a.m. that it is now. We loved that late morning departure from Vegas.
Hawaii to Houston Hobby??
The two downsides are you can only fly out of limited airports to Hawaii and SFO is not one of them; and while SWA is very generous with their snacks, its all junk food 😢
Not happy about red-eye route changed from a day time route, Kona-LV. It was perfect flying into LV at 3:30pm. Perfect check-in time to casinos, just in time for dinner and a relaxing evening. Now we have to figure out what to do from 5:30am to check-in time. 😤
Exactly my sentiments. Our whole family is so disappointed with this new schedule. Apparently SW doesn’t care about those of us who are taking the Hawaii to Vegas flight to actually going to VEGAS. And yet the planes are always full every time we take this flight.
So much Southwest on this blog!
Visit Hawaii a lot and they’re not an airline I would fly. Overnight is even less interesting or useful. If I lived in Hawaii I would go to the mainland as seldom as possible.
Would not bother me if SW has plans to corner the Hawaiian Market. Through cheaper flights. There is no loyalty for me. Not for politics. Loyalty. For the businessmen. SW
I’m for the businessmen. Capitalism. I’m not for loyalty to one airline. I’m for business. It is a great deal take it. I think SW which is the bigger airlines is trying run over Hawaiian Air into bankruptcy.
Whoa! Competition. Omni Air International is my airplane to LV. Package deal Vacations Hawaii. Then SW is my second option. Hawaii resident.
I would take a serious look at South Wests maintenence records. Seems to be alot of issues with engines. 5 hrs over water on 2 engines leave little room for errors.
I hate red eyes! It destroys your sleep and impacts your performance (work or athletics). I’ll pay far more tourists Not fly overnight.
Just watch. These red eye flights will become the entry level prices that is available today. This is for the budget traveler. No conveniences, no bells and whistles nothing. IMO what does this do? It makes the price of other flights desireable therefore the price will go up. How much. Probably the same percent as a seat upgrade. Maybe it would be called the Preferred Time Flight Price. The airlines have to make up the difference in costs somewhere for their inconvenience. That’s how the system works.
I hate red eyes and layovers! My home airport is Phoenix and that’s why we started flying Hawaiian vs American Airlines. American only has red eyes home. Hawaiian gives me a small layover in HNL.
Plus I loved the wide body (330) Hawaiian plane better.
Aloha BOH,
Looks like you duplicated the OGG > LAS route.
Thanks for all the great info you keep putting out!
Hi Amy.
Thanks for that! Fix. Much appreciated.
Aloha.
Cautiously optimistic this will work well for us when returning from Kauai. Not crazy about flying to Las Vegas, but it will be nice to arrive LA (Burbank) in the morning instead of 8-9 pm.
I just checked SW for next summer! $2500 for two people??!?!? I thought Delta was high!
The biggest problem with red-eyes are check-out times at hotels and other accommodations. If you must be out by 10AM, you must bring your luggage wherever you go on your last day and where can you go to take a pre-flight shower?
Are there half-days rates at any accommodations to enable travelers to go from their accommodation directly to the airport?
In Maui Zach at Above the Wave has a luggage storage business 5 minutes from the airport and you can use his co-working space at the same building.
Unlike losing all you money in Las Vegas gambling Southwest now makes it possible to catch a flight and throw all your money away in Hawaii. Same result different location. Lets see how much of Las Vegas casino revenue Hawaii can aquire.
As a regular passenger between Maui and Denver, Southwest provided all daytime connecting flights. I checked the extended, new Southwest schedule into mid 2025 and all but one option are redeye flights. Like me I believe many passengers will only select daytime, not redeye flights options. Daytime flights gave Southwest a considerable market advantage. No more!
I don’t get it this; and the change will kill Southwest in the Hawaiian market. With daytime departures from Maui, Airlines can fly and connect into mid-continental markets in the mountain and central time zones arriving before midnight local time.
HNL-LAX red eye also starts on Jun 5.
Well, I used to ask myself, ‘Why don’t the airlines offer red-eyes to HI, particularly for those folks flying from the Eastern U.S.?’. So then here’s Southwest stepping up to the plate. Great! But one thing concerns me, how are they going to get any sleep on the flight with those cramped seats and ‘don’t adjust your seat back practices? Are they going to be too exhausted from lack of sleep to enjoy that first day or two in ‘paradise’? Good luck!
Sorry bring a jacket and use for a pillow. Southwest’s obligation is only to get you from point A to point B. If you don’t think you will sleep then opt to make reservations during an early morning flight or afternoon flight which is way more expensive. One good thing is you get into Hawaii real early in the morning and have a full day on the first day of your vacation. You really don’t get your cake and eat it too. Good luck.
The red eye on DL to Seattle is not the most joyful flight either! It messes up my time but I wish I could go back to HNL and do that red-eye to ATL!
Did you read the article? The red eye flights are eastbound to the US mainland. All of those flights listed leave the island around 9pm, and arrive at the mainland airports around 6am local time.
Southwest seats have more leg room than the United flight (economy class) I took yesterday!