As of 11/18/20. Today’s Southwest Hawaii updates are interesting in multiple ways. Here’s what we have learned recently in five bullet points and more below.
1. Southwest Hawaii flights from Long Beach to Honolulu have just been announced. See details below including the current fare sale starting at $99 each way, while most other routes start at $129. On the Long Beach route, Southwest will compete directly with Hawaiian Airlines.
2. Remaining Southwest Hawaii flights have resumed. See details of their complete flight schedule below.
3. Travel on Southwest to Hawaii and elsewhere can now be booked through April 11, 2021. On December 10, Southwest will open their schedule for reservations through June 5, 2020.
4. Middle seat comfort and safety update. Southwest is no longer blocking middle seats. Southwest has indicated it will advise passengers 2 to 3 days in advance if their flight is likely to be full. The airline says that based on availability, passengers can change flights within 3 days of their original flight at no cost. Also, unlike every other airline, note that Southwest does not permit passengers to buy the extra middle seat.
5. 737 MAX returns. Now that we know the problematic planes are close to returning to the skies, plans for Southwest’s Boeing 737 MAX fleet’s return to their Hawaii schedule should soon be updated. See more below.
Yesterday the FAA removed a nearly 2-year grounding of the planes following two crashes that killed 346 peopl
Latest Southwest Hawaii routes and frequencies:
LONG BEACH: Honolulu (1 daily starting March 11). Priced from $99 each way.
OAKLAND: Honolulu (2 daily); Maui (2 daily); Kona (1 daily); Kauai (1 daily)
SAN JOSE: Honolulu (2 daily); Maui (2 daily); Kona (1 daily); Lihue (1 daily).
SACRAMENTO: Honolulu (1 daily).
SAN DIEGO: Honolulu (1 daily).
HONOLULU: Oakland (2 daily); San Jose (2 daily) Sacramento (1 daily); San Diego (1 daily); Interisland: Maui, Kona, Lihue, Hilo (up to 4 daily).
MAUI: Oakland (2 daily); San Jose (2 daily); Interisland: Honolulu (4 daily), Kona (1 daily).
KONA: Oakland (1 daily); San Jose (1 daily); Interisland: Honolulu (4 daily); Maui (1 daily).
KAUAI: Oakland (1 daily); San Jose (1 daily); Interisland: Honolulu (3 daily).
HILO: Interisland: Honolulu (3 daily).
737 MAX return update.
The return of the troubled plane is near at hand although the FAA is still completing its review of the Boeing design changes and related pilot training. Yesterday the FAA removed a nearly 2-year grounding of the planes following two crashes that killed 346 people
The FAA said, “The agency will not approve the aircraft for return to service until it has completed numerous rounds of rigorous testing. The FAA will take all the time it needs. The planes will be permitted to return to the air soon, however, after which an additional period of time will be required for them to reenter regular service. That may happen in late winter or early spring.
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. 11/19/20.
Photo credit: SWA.
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Colleen says
Be sure to check the flight numbers before booking if you have qualms about flying the MAX 8 to Hawaii. They will be back in the air any minute. SWA and other airlines are giving customers the opportunity to choose NOT to fly the MAX 8 BUT make sure the flights will work for you before booking. They are supposed to contact you IF they decide to use the MAX on the flight you booked on another plane model. Checked PHX flights and they say they are using the 737-800 but ‘MAY’ be using the MAX.
Here is what it says when you click the flight number:
Boeing 737-MAX8 Aircraft are currently grounded by the FAA. Until the MAX8 aircraft returns to service, Southwest plans to operate MAX8 flights with a different aircraft type. Flight schedules and aircraft type remain subject to change per the Contract of Carriage.
That means that these planes will be back in service as soon as possible and they are planning to use these planes for their Hawaii flights. No thank you. Too soon for us. Even $99 fares won’t get us on one. Not yet. :0/
Sam N. says
The 737 MAX will be the most closely scrutinized plane ever. I have not concerns about flying on it and will be happy to be one of the first to do so. 🙂
Patty Jo says
ONT would be wonderful. We can dream…
Will F. says
Planing a two island stay July 2021. We will fly Hawaiian Airbus, my family will never fly a max. SWA used to be our default carrier, now we choose flights by aircraft.
Patricia K says
I’m trying to find out what days Southwest flies to Hawaii to visit family that transferred in June. It seems each day I try there isn’t a flight. Looking to go mid December and return early January 2021.
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 ; )