Southwest Hawaii Flights

Southwest Hawaii Stiffens Competition: 11 New Daily Flights Exposed

Hawaii Travel News / / 1,796 Comments

Lastest news on Southwest schedules and fares. Some routes continue to have great deals for summer. Find out more in today’s post.

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1,796 thoughts on “Southwest Hawaii Stiffens Competition: 11 New Daily Flights Exposed”

    1. John W

      Still kind of wondering. Saw something to the effect that the proving flights were given the thumbs up from the FAA,
      not the final sign off. If the FAA still has an open investigation on how SWA does their weight and balance and handles baggage
      weight how could they possibly sign off on their ETOPS? Flying a 737 to Hawaii means you are often at the max allowable weight and sometimes have to bump bags due to headwinds. It’s a very critical item with 737’s. Especially an airline that markets “no baggage charges no matter how many bags you bring”. Just wondering if they have found a way to bring their weight and balance calculations up to par with their competitors?

  2. Bradley P

    Has SWA addressed the issue of mobility impaired passengers boarding and exiting the aircrafts in Hawaii?

  3. Don S

    You guys have done a nice job of covering this topic. However, I will suggest your timeline is off a bit… the earliest we are likely to see revenue service is April 1st. Pilot training awards just came out Feb 25th. Pilots will do ETOPS training in March… they’ll bid for April flying schedules in early March (to include Hawaii flying). March schedules are already set.

  4. David

    Hello,
    What do you think about the Sun Country airlines’ service from HNL to US mainland? They seem to have the lowest price compared to other airlines.

    Thanks so much!
    David

  5. Susan W.

    Aloha! Do you think only the Hawaiʻi destinations initially served will see fare reductions? For instance, even though Kona is scheduled for later service, will that route see fare reductions from the start? Or later? Mahalo for your response!

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Susan.

      It would seem that those not served initially will also not benefit, or not benefit as much, until they have their own service.

      Aloha.

  6. Brad

    That doesn’t seem like a good enough price for all the issues Southwest is having ! And they are having to many, to fly over a ocean;( I would rather fly Hawaiian . Not that much more $$ if you look

  7. John L

    First of all, mahalo for keeping us all up to date! Secondly, we are looking to fly from LA. When the fare sales start, it’ll just be from the four cities. Do you expect fare sales from the other cities (like LAX or Long Beach when those flights begin?

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi John.

      No one really knows when they will fly from LA. We have just heard that they will. Some think it will be sooner, others think later, and some think not at all.

      Aloha.

  8. kathy

    So..if I want to fly to Lihue in July, do I buy a ticket to HNL or OGG right away then try to add a connection later? or wait?? hard to know what to do

  10. Chris W

    Hi! Thanks for hosting this site! It’s a great source of information!

    I noticed we haven’t really seen any updates since the 14th though. Is it looking more and more like they will not be ready to fly for spring break? Please let us know!

    Thanks!

    Chris

  11. Steve

    Will SW’s recent admission to FAS regulators that they have been overloading cargo compartments, maintenance problems on some planes, and planes taken out of service because of lack of mechanics, due to labor slow downs, impact the start of service to the islands?

    2. Calvin W

      The problem with SWA”s issue overloading their aircraft is especially critical flying to Hawaii. 737’s are often at their max allowable
      weight with a full load and the fuel required to fly to Hawaii. In fact on days with a strong headwind they have to bump bags. It’s critical
      those numbers are accurate. I’d be shocked if the FAA signed off on their ETOPS certificate without closure of all the pending investigations.

  12. David Y

    I am hoping to take my mom (85), twin boys (17), wife and I to Maui in late July. I have about 275,000 points at this time as well as a companion pass.

    Do you think that will be enough points to get us back and forth (MKE to OGG)? Next step is to try and get non-stops from MKE to the west coast. I am anxiously waiting for the tickets to become available on the web site and truly appreciate you keeping us up to date.

    Thank you in advance for your reply,
    Dave

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi David.

      Stand by for that and more. We don’t have the answer to your questions yet. It won’t be much longer.

      Aloha.

    2. John W

      Todays newspaper had an article that Southwest faces an FAA probe over measuring baggage weight.
      When flying a 737 to Hawaii accurate weights are critical since the smaller airplanes are very close to max weight on most flights and strong head winds often require bumping bags for fuel on 737 flights.
      Do you really think the FAA will sign off on ETOPS with this crucial point being investigated as well as the maintenance practices
      surrounding two catastrophic engine failures? I believe that inquiry is still ongoing?

    1. Leah

      Hi! As far as I know SW staffed all Hawaii stations with current employees from the states. You can always go to SWA website and click on the careers tab at the very bottom left hand side. You can search open jobs there and I believe you can upload your resume there. Good luck!

  17. kiawe

    Thanks for keeping us updated on what’s happening with SWA flights to and from HI. BoH is my first stop for information; you have your finger on what’s happening sooner and more accurately than any other source. I will be watching to see when SWA starts flying from Phoenix to HI. Mahalo!

  18. Jackie

    I was sorry to see LAX was not included in SWA’s list of airports at the start of their venture to Hawaii. However, when I went online, flights to SAN, SFO and OAK were very reasonable– I think it’s feasible that the price will still be less than Hawaiian or any of the other legacy carriers. It’s going to be interesting to see how this affects flight prices in the near future. I usually go several times a year, and the prices seem very inflated compared to flying within the continental US for like distances. I realize ETOPS may require additional expense, however the prices still seem out of proportion.

  21. Paige

    Now a senior citizen, I arrived in Hawaii, age 7 with Pan Am, the original Pacific routes carrier. I can hardly describe the ups/downs & in betweens Ive seen in my lifetime concerning Hawaii’s air carriers. From Pan Ams first flight by Captain Ed Musick in 1935 through its last departure from Honolulu in 1991(by Captain Ed Karasek), the airline pioneered the Pacific Routes for all who followed. Inter-Island routes were already being pioneered by Inter-Island Airways beginning passenger service in 1929, initially to Hilo aboard one of thier two amphibian planes which would later be known as Hawaiian Air. Over the past ninety years of Hawaiian aviation, Honolulu has shared our Aloha to many cockpit crew members, cabin crew members and planes full of anxious passengers. Southwest is the latest or newest member of our Hawaii aviation ohana. We welcome them, wishing them blue skies and pleasant ka’ahele.

  22. Karen M

    Hello
    I am hoping to fly from Sacramento to Honolulu on March 30 returning April 7th. Do you thing Southwest will offer flights for this time frame. I always travel on Southwest and would really to plan this travel with Southwest rather than to buy the tickets through another airline. I hope you can answer this question for me.
    Thank you,
    Karen M

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Karen.

      We’d say that odds are in your favor. More information will be coming out within next week at latest.

      Aloha.

  23. Matt

    First off, thank you for the continued updates!

    Do we know if test flights will continue this week?

    My wife and I are going to Maui with her family March 30, and I have not booked any airfare because I have the companion pass… Any insight on new projected flight dates?

    Thanks again!

  24. nicholas

    thank you for these updates. Can’t help but notice the increase in prices to Maui this year. I usually go in November and for some reason prices are 1k plus right now a piece. I really hope this makes prices competitive.

  25. Laura K

    Thanks much for the thorough updates! We are having a family reunion on the Big Island in August. I’m unclear about the Kona plans: will there be direct flights to Kona from the mainland or just inter-island connections? If just connections, should we purchase the cross ocean flights right away to score the great prices or wait for the Kona fares?

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Laura.

      There will be nonstop flights to Kona, we just don’t know when those will start. We hope to know more soon.

      Aloha.

  26. Kyle

    Thank you for the updating frequently and keeping us informed. We are planning our first trip to Hawaii (Kauai) and I have been checking this site daily on new information. From what I have been reading it looks like the trips to Lihue won’t be until the end of the year. We are traveling end of June and returning first of July. What are your thoughts on SWA traveling by then to Lihue or should we be booking other flights that already are flying there? TIA

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Thank you Kyle.

      We don’t know when they’ll have either direct flights or extensions to Lihue. Hope to know more within next week at latest. I’m sure you know that you’re traveling at one of the most expensive times, so still expect to pay perhaps $500+ no matter what.

      Aloha.

  27. Becky

    I keep coming back to your site for updates on SWA coming to Hawaii. Thanks for being on top of it!!!

    My question is, with the timeline looking to be so close to our trip date, should I just bite the bullet and buy my tickets elsewhere? We travel mid-April, the week leading into Easter. We would normally fly out of LAX but will go SAN if SWA is ready. But I’m seeing prices start to rise again and I’m getting nervous. We’ve waited much longer than we normally would to book our flights. Any thoughts on a price drop before April?

    Thanks in advance!

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Becky.

      Thank you. It looks like LA is going to be running $100 or more higher than San Diego. There are good mid-week fares throughout April. Weekends, not so much. With Southwest announcing it should bring those San Diego fares down further, including for your dates. No one knows for sure, but our sense is low $200’s round trip for mid-week travel.

      Aloha.

      1. Lori

        What do you expect weekend rates to be like for Southwest? Our stay is a Saturday to Saturday and right now the rates are $1400 plus for non-stop for our mid-April dates (13th-20th). Also do you have an idea of how many points a roundtrip flight might be from SMF to OGG? We are anxiously waiting for southwest and hoping they will fly before our dates, I have never waited this long to book a flight. Thanks again for all you updates, I check your site everyday!

        1. Beat of Hawaii

          Hi Lori.

          I think pricing and competition from west coast departure cities are anyone’s guess right now. We’ll have to wait and see. Perhaps $99 and that could or could not include weekends.

          Aloha.

      2. Linda T

        When SWA starts selling tickets, how long out do you think they’ll put routes on sale? Am planning on going from SAN to OGG in October 2019? When do you think they’ll have those flights on sale? Love your updates and have been reading them nearly daily for quite awhile…very helpful information. Thank you!

        1. Beat of Hawaii

          Hi Linda.

          They are currently selling tickets to October 1. At some point the’ll get the Hawaii sales in line with all the others. On march 14 they are due to extend schedule by one month.

          Aloha.

  28. Linda

    Can’t wait to plan another trip to Hawaii! 🌴 We were there there last January and plan to go back again. Can’t wait to be on board Southwest!

  29. Julie H

    Thank you so much for the updates! I’m anxiously awaiting to go visit my Military family (Daughter, Son in law and 2yr. old Granddaughter). I miss them so much, I just can’t wait to see them. I will use my points and Companion pass so that my Husband and I can go visit. We’d fly from our home base, Indianapolis to Oakland I assume then on to Oahu?
    Your updates keep me hopeful that we’ll be together soon! I would LUV to be on the first flight out!
    Grateful,
    Julie H

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Julie.

      We hope it all works out well for you and your family visit. We don’t know how SWA will handle flights from across the US. That’s one thing we are watching for, and how it will be possible to get to and from the east to connect with the Hawaii flights.

      Aloha.

  30. Melissa

    Woohoo! Excited to read this update about SWA!
    However…their plan says “later in 2019” for flights out of Los Angeles. Do we have any idea what “later” means? I plan to travel mid-May from Los Angeles so I’m wondering if I should continue to wait for a price drop or not…
    Any insight on this?

    Thanks!

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Melissa.

      That’s anyone’s guess. Our crystal ball says it is doubtful for mid-May. Maybe for summer.

      Aloha.

      1. Melissa

        Ah, ok. That’s what I was thinking.

        Follow-up to that: Even though SWA may not be flying out of Los Angeles by mid-May, do you think the release of flights as a whole would cause other airlines to drop their prices? Or should I just book now?

        Thanks!

        1. Beat of Hawaii

          Hi Melissa.

          Good question. We’re in uncharted territory, so it’s just a guess. There are fares under $400 early in May and more of that, and even perhaps lower, for later in the month are still to be announced. It could not hurt to wait. Let us know how it turns out.

          Aloha.

  31. michael l

    Please let me know if you think there will be Phoenix to Hawaii flights, that would really be awesome as we live outside of Phoenix. And we would love to see I Oahu again, also Maui
    Thank you so much for your continued coverage and updates, you people are awesome thank you michael l, Prescott Arizona

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Michael.

      Thank you. Yes we believe that Phoenix will be on their radar. Probably not this year, which will be taken up with getting the 5 west coast cities hooked to the 4 or 5 island destinations. But thereafter for sure.

      Aloha.

  32. tea

    Aloha and mahalo for continued coverage of this exciting news. We head out Thursday to Maui for a couple of weeks, flying with HA. It will be interesting to see how much the flights on SWA are in comparison. We go to the islands about once a year so adding an additional carrier (with free checked luggage!) will be interesting. Unfortunately our airport of choice (John Wayne) is hardly on anyone’s radar so we fly out of LAX – San Diego poses a whole new set of logistics – like taking the train to the airport. Safe and fun travels everyone! And again mahalo BOH.

    3. John C

      Just curious, since John Wayne isn’t an option, rather then go to LAX how come you don’t use Hawaiian out of Long Beach?
      Just tried it and it was great….

  33. Steve

    Thanks BOH for your updates…you have better updates than the carrier itself! I have been hearing about this since the last quarter of 2017. Seems as if the other carriers are selling cheap to capture flyers befwhat reservations they can before the bottom drops out on the pricing! Hoping flights start by April…Thanks again!!!

  34. Jt

    Seeing Southwest first proving flight scheduled to land at HNL 14:45 on February 5! Getting so close can’t wait!

    1. John W

      Just saw on the news that the SWA Maintenance practices are still under investigation by the FAA. The investigation was from having had two flights were the engines exploded and the plane had to make an immediate emergency landing. Obviously had they been over the Pacific at the time they could very likely have had a very bad outcome.
      Any idea if these test flights are an attempt to nudge the FAA into action or is the FAA actually going to grant approval while
      their investigation is still ongoing?

  36. Kellie

    What would you guys say is the appropriate amount of time to wait for Southwest to fly to Hawaii? We have a condo booked June 5th in Oahu. I dont want to keep waiting and pass up on a decent price, then the prices skyrocket. Help, please!!!

    Thanks in Advance!

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Murph.

      We do not expect there to be flights from SNA to Hawaii as much as that would seem desirable.

      Aloha.

  38. Joan

    Thanks for keeping us informed on SWA flights to Hawaii. We live in Denver and want to be on the Big Island for a family reunion in June. SWA has lots of flights from here to the west coast every day, so we don’t think it will be a problem to connect with a flight to Hawaii. Please keep us updated. Mahalo!

  39. Michael S.

    Many Thanks to BOH for their fantastic and timely updates on SWA’s Hawaii flight plans. I did not appreciate the negative comments about SWA’s delays in getting to HI when the government shutdown was out of their control! I for one am excited to once again being able to plan a flight to Kauai in the near future. My wife and I went last March and had a wonderful time and I would like to take her again this summer or early fall when the weather their is even better than it was in March. BOH, keep up the great job you are doing with the updates on SWA’s plans for Hawaii service. Thanks again!

  40. Ken

    Thank you for the thorough coverage! I just got back from a visit to Oahu and I miss it already. I had found your site when just searching for general Hawaii tips and was nicely surprised to see updates about Southwest!

    I’m based in LA and really do hope they are able to add LAX to HNL flights soon. I would love it even more if eventually they can even do flights out of Burbank as there aren’t any direct flights from there to Hawaii currently. It is a smaller airport though but it’s SO much easier to fly from there than from LAX!

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