As of 7/23/20. Today’s Southwest Hawaii updates are interesting in multiple ways. Here’s what we have learned recently in six bullet points and more below.
This comes as the airline just reported a $915 million loss in the past quarter as compared with a $714 million profit last year. Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines CEO said earlier today that. “It’s almost impossible to plan right now.” He went on to call the recovery “a saw-toothed slog,” adding “We know enough now that we’ve got a long, long way to go.” So here is what we can report for now.
1. Southwest Hawaii flights are set to resume normally on September 1, if the State of Hawaii allows visitors to bypass the 14-day quarantine via testing. Remember that through August, a mandatory 14-day isolation is required for all arrivals in Hawaii. See what might happen then.
2. Travel on Southwest can now be booked through January 4, 2021. The airline said, “We do not have a date for our next schedule extension” beyond January 4.
3. For increased safety and confidence, Southwest will leave middle seats open through at least October. All passengers over 2 must wear masks on board. Southwest is currently testing the use of thermal cameras and has asked the TSA to take on that responsibility.
4. Southwest and other airlines are continuing to modify their schedules based on presumed travel resumption dates. Please check the airline’s website directly for the latest schedules, as these can change frequently.
5. Until August 31, the only Southwest Hawaii flights operating are ones deemed “essential flights.” Those are mostly comprised of limited services between Oakland/San Jose and Honolulu/Maui plus inter-island flights.
6. Plans for the Boeing 737 MAX fleet’s return to schedule has just been updated too. See CEO Gary Kelly’s latest on that below.
Latest Southwest Hawaii routes and frequencies:
OAKLAND: Honolulu (2 daily ongoing); Maui (2 daily starting 9/1); Kona (1 daily starting 9/1); Kauai (1 daily starting 9/1)
SAN JOSE: Honolulu (1 daily ongoing); Maui (1 daily starting 9/1); Kona (1 daily starting 9/1); Lihue (1 daily starting 9/1).
SACRAMENTO: Honolulu (1 daily starting 9/1); Maui (1 daily starting 9/1).
SAN DIEGO: Honolulu (1 daily starting 9/1).
HONOLULU: Oakland (2 daily ongoing); San Jose (1 daily starting 9/1) Sacramento (1 daily starting 9/1); San Diego (1 daily starting 9/1); Interisland: Maui, Kona, Lihue, Hilo (4 daily ongoing).
MAUI: Oakland (2 daily starting 9/1); San Jose (1 daily starting 9/1); Sacramento (1 daily starting 9/1); Interisland: Honolulu (4 daily ongoing), Kona (1 daily ongoing).
KONA: Oakland (1 daily starting 9/1); San Jose (1 daily starting 9/1); Interisland: Honolulu (4 daily ongoing); Maui (1 daily ongoing).
KAUAI: Oakland (1 daily starting 9/1); San Jose (1 daily starting 9/1); Interisland: Honolulu (4 daily ongoing).
HILO: Interisland: Honolulu (4 daily ongoing).
737 MAX return update.
The FAA said this week it will likely issue an airworthiness directive in the “near future.” That will be followed by a 45-day public comment period. Thus, it is likely that the planes will be permitted to return to the air in October or soon thereafter.
Until then, Southwest will continue using 737-800 planes for Hawaii flights.
Will Southwest Hawaii expansion ever resume and, if so, when and where?
Further Southwest Hawaii expansion remains unsure during these turbulent times. If and when Hawaii expansion resumes, the following is our list of possible expansion cities, in the order of likelihood.
Phoenix
Las Vegas
Denver
Burbank
Salt Lake City.
Spokane
Albuquerque
Note that we have moved Los Angeles from likely to now be doubtful, while Orange County will simply never happen.
Updated. 7/23/20.
Photo credit: SWA.
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Vicky C. says
Thanks “Mahalo” !
David says
It appears that the beginning date for OGG, KOA and LIH nonstops is now 10/1 as a result of further restrictions/conditions reported last week— also having been updated on their website’s reservation link. Please verify, and thank you.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi David.
It would not be safe to assume that 10/1 is a firm date for any island. It is still an unknown. We will know more, probably around the middle of September.
Aloha.
Valerie M says
Hi Guys, can you clarify something for me re: Covid testing. I have an upcoming trip to OGG on September 4th (government permitting, without 14 quarantine of course). If the new regulation is to provide a Negative Covid test 72 hours prior…… I am scheduled to take my test Thursday, August 27th. Typically turn around time in SF is 1-2 days. Assuming my test is returned on Saturday or Sunday (Aug. 29th or 30th), is this acceptable? 72 hours prior, does this mean the test date showing negative needs to be returned on Aug 31st (specifically) in order to board the flight September 3rd? Not sure I’m finding that information amidst all the chaos of Hawaii travel news and the government press is confusing. Mahalo for your help!! Val
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Val.
There is very little chance that September 1 happening. When travel does resume without quarantine, we expect the state to provide much-needed clarification, as you are asking for.
Aloha.
Valerie says
Oh, ok. I asked because I received an update from Hawaiian Airlines advising me of an update to my outburst Maui flight. That’s why I inquired about test date clarification. Instead of updating flight information, they should be canceling itineraries. And the confusion continued (not upset, just frustrated and sad), but my priority is having a safe & healthy Hawaii population.
JWI says
We are at a crossroads – we cancelled a multi week Maui star last month. We are now planning another one for next summer. Should we pull the trigger???
Hirsch says
I have one question for all the people that want Hawaii to open and do business as usual. Does anyone realize that this virus is most likely carried on every flight, and picks up passengers, and delivers them to a new destination?
Jiggs A. says
As a flight attendant of 44 years duration and continuing,the most proven contamination is likely to occur traveling within the airport terminals! Cabin air on all modern aircraft changes every 2-3 minutes with a air particle filteration of 99.9% including viruses. In the older days of flying till around mid-80’s, flight attendants were plague by catching constant colds from passengers! Now with the new filteration on planes, respiratory infections, colds etc have been reduced by more than 70%!! Face mask are required due to the possibility of transfer of particles in the air when in less than 6 feet distancing. The air filtering on a aircraft however is catching majority of such said. In addition,after each flight, a new method of santization is happening with a thorough cabin spraying of a disinfectant that kills all viral germs and more. The CDC has noted the safest part of a airline journey is on the aircraft!! Less exposure and better air environment! All airlin’s crew and staff were heavily briefed on this subject with constant updates. So fly and enjoy it!
Dayla C. says
Thanks for this helpful info!
JWI says
Just a follow up. We pulled the trigger and started booking our next singer Hawaiian visit, but instead of the normal 2 weeks, we added on another 2 weeks as “make up” for this past summer’s cancellation ; )