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”
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Will SW be offering $100 R/T fares from San Diego and Honolulu?
Aloha!
My girlfriend and I live on Kauai, and are planning a trip to the mainland for her sister’s wedding at the end of July. Will Southwest be flying from LIH to San Diego or Denver at that time? If so we will wait to purchase tickets!
Mahalo,
Adisson
Hi Adisson.
Yes they should be flying from Kauai by then, at least to San Diego. Not to Denver however.
Aloha.
Thank you so much for all the useful info. My question is about flights to Kauai from Sacramento. From everything I have read it seems like those will be announced soon. I’m just wondering how best to get that information as soon as it is released so that I can take advantage of the discount rates. The deals from Oakland were gone by mid morning so if you didn’t happen to check that morning then you were out of luck. I was just wondering if you know of any email or text lists to get on so that I can be informed as soon as those flights get announced. Thanks very muck for your time.
Hi Jason.
Suggest you sign up for emails from the airlines directly. We will be covering the next announcements and sales as well.
Aloha.
Seems as if fares are not competitive at all at this point. Certainly cheaper on other carriers which is very disappointing considering all the hype
Looking for flight from Omaha to kona the week of May 13 2019 1 way. Should I look elsewhere?
We live near Memphis, TN and that is the airport we fly out of. We flew Delta 3 years ago and paid $1,700.00 per person – regular uncomfortable – coach price with numerous connections.
We’ve been watching the fares for about 9 months through Delta and various other airlines months ago and we couldn’t find it for under $2,000 and it involved numerous connections almost being a 22 hour flight one way by the time it was all said and done. We flew there many, many years ago when it used to be Northwest Airlines and could go for about $500 R/T with one connection so I know that can be done from here, Delta can just charge whatever and we save to pay it or don’t go.
We are THRILLED Southwest is flying there and I gladly paid what they sold for fares from Oakland this week. We fly on points from here to Oakland and then Oakland to Maui for less than $500 for 2!
I suppose it all depends on where you live and have to fly out of because for us it’s a huge cost and time saver. This website is so helpful and because of it I rinse to get on line that very day to book our flight.
Mahalo to Beat of Hawaii!!!
Than
Hi Wendy.
Thanks for those nice words!
Aloha.
When will there be flights direct from San diego to Honolulu? I have my flight booked with san jose, but I rather stay in San diego. I’m on the east coast and I already have my hotel booked for June.
Thanks,
Hi Jesika.
As we just answered Luke, Hi Luke.
It shouldn’t be long until those flights are announced. We’d estimate within next few weeks at most.
Aloha.
Aloha ,
Will Southwest be flying from Honolulu to Kauai?
When will December flights be available for booking?
Do you have any idea when southwest is going to announce Sacramento to Maui? I’m sure as soon as they have schedules out it’s going to sell out in one hour specially with lower fair ones .. like it happened with bay area yesterday..
thanks.
Hi Charlotte.
We do not know but it should be within the next days to weeks.
Aloha.
We are planning a trip to Hawaii, the island of Hawaii, from Denver in December this year. Do you know when those flights will be made available on the website?
What a disappointment the SW roll-out was. The low-cost fares were very limited on each flight and sold out quickly. The remaining fares were higher than the other airlines. Plus the flights leave the west coast early and return late, so that unless you are within driving distance of one of the airports, you must lay over one night coming and one night going as the SW flights are too early/late for connecting flights. Major bummer. After all the hype, SW has lost my business.
Kathy, I think this was just used as a test being the 1st roll-out. I’m sure they are gathering market data and will adjust the next roll-outs accordingly. This is there 1st time in this new market and like with most things brand new, you have to work out the kinks. I’m sure SW will be smooth sailing to Hawaii with low fairs in do time. 🙂
Can you tell us approximately when an announcement or option to book flights from Sacramento to Hawaii might come?
We are planning a trip to Kauai in November, will SWA be flying there? If so, when can I start booking it? Thanks!
Hi Susan.
Yes they will. It shouldn’t be too long until it is announced. But Southwest isn’t booking for that period for a while. “On March 14, 2019 we will open our schedule for sale through November 2, 2019.”
Aloha.
will there be direct flights from seattle too honolulu
We are eager to see a reduction in flight costs. Do you know if they have any plans to add flights out of Portland or Seattle, to Maui? Mahalo
Hi Sue.
As far as we know or have heard there are no plans now or in the foreseeable future for flights from Pacific Northwest.
Aloha.
Aloha! Do you know whether or not SWA will be flying into Lihue? And if Yes!! (I hope it is yes!), do you happen to know when? Mahalo!!! Love all of this information, so very helpful.
Hi Kali.
Thank you. Yes they will definitely be flying to Lihue. Should be announced within next few weeks.
Aloha.
So excited about today’s news!
Question… will SWA eventually be flying direct from San Diego to the islands directly, or will all flights be heading up to the Bay Area first?
Thanks for any input!
Hi Heidi.
Yes they are definitely flying directly from San Diego to Hawaii. Stand by for that announcement – within coming days to weeks.
Aloha.
Why was San Diego and Sacramento not direct immediately as intended?
Hi guys:
I will be flying to the BI with my dog next fall – we are finally moving from the East coast. Do you have any news as to whether direct airport release from Southwest flights will be an option? As you probably know, currently only 2 carriers are allowed: Alaska and United.
Thanks for any information you might have.
Hi Igor.
Sorry we do not have any information about Southwest as regards direct pet release in Hawaii.
Aloha.
Mahalo. Please keep this issue in sight, if you can… A lot of people will be thankful, not only me! )))
I was SO excited to see Southwest’s tweet this morning about the Hawaii flights being on sale, but so far, only Oakland seems to have a full schedule loaded. Some San Jose flights beginning in May are also loaded. I am hopeful that additional schedules (especially from my home city Sacramento) are ready very soon as well. Mahalo BOH for keeping us in the loop as all of this has been playing out over the last 18+ months!
Cleared for Takeoff! Book now https://www.southwest.com/hawaii/
I’m leaving from Atlanta to Maui on June 15th 2019. Will their be any flights for my family?
You can now start booking flights as of this morning 3/4/2019 on Southwest
The flights are posted on the Southwest website. 🙂 some $49 options even.
Flights are live!
We want to fly from Austin, TX to Honolulu in July 2019. Would we still search fares between the two cities even though AUSTIN is not an originating city and reservation software will plan the trip or do we need to book separately from Austin to Oakland (SD, Sac or San Fran) and Oakland to Hawaii? Please advise as soon as it opens!!! So excited!
I am thought flights to Kona *would* start shortly after Maui and Oahu. Am I wrong?
“Flights will be to both Maui and Honolulu. We do not expect flights to continue to Lihue and Kona soon thereafter.”
I have the same question. Specifically trying to determine if Lihue will happen in the October time frame.
I’m looking to book flights from Sacramento to Honolulu. When can I book flights on southwest? Thanks!’
Hi Deb.
We’ll let you know just as soon as it is announced.
Aloha.
They are on sale now!
Yes same here, we want to start planning to book flights in September 2019. Hopefully we can start to book soon. Do you know the amount of seats that will be available on these flights to Oahu from SMF?
I will be flying roundtrip from Minneapolis to Honolulu, end of May
Please! a Nonstop from San Diego to Hilo, Hilo is the second largest city in Hawaii!
Says who? Not google, not the census, nothing.
We have been banking on SWA flights starting up by March 29-31, with your speculation of an April 1st start, should we just throw in towel and book our flights with another airline for our 3/29 – 3/31 window for arrival to HNL, please?
Hi Joel.
We should know within next days. We have heard late March, but until it is formally announced, it is just rumors.
Aloha.
Aloha!
What do you think the likelihood is of Southwest offering service from Seattle? Right now there is plenty of nonstop options on other airlines, wondering if Southwest can offer flights too.
Mahalo!
Hi Lauren.
We have never heard anything about them flying from the Pacific Northwest. If that happens, seems it would be a long ways off.
Aloha.
Aloha! This sounds awesome but what about flights FROM Hawaii TO California?
Specifically kona to Oakland? Or Hilo to Oakland?
Thank you for your Help!
Hi Natasha.
Everything that is offered from the mainland is also offered from Hawaii. Same deals.
Aloha.
Hi 😁
So excited about SW air flights to Maui. Will there be flights from St louis to Maui anytime soon?
Thanks
Hi Dave.
We are seeing STL flights available. You will be connecting in California of course.
Aloha.
I’ve heard SW coming in at $99 one way from the west coast. Any thoughts on what the west coast to Kona routes might start at?
Will it be nonstop from Sacramento to Maui?
If you expect the start date to be in April, when will the end date be? Am looking to fly October 19 from San Diego to Maui. Will October dates be included in this announcement of tickets for sale? If not in April, when will October dates be released, please?
Hi Linda.
Here’s what their website says: “We are currently accepting air reservations through October 1 , 2019. On March 14, 2019 we will open our schedule for sale through November 2, 2019. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently.” Hope that helps.
Aloha.
Hi! I was looking for the actual number of ETOPS aircraft they will have in the fleet but am unable to find. Would you all happen to know? Thanks so much for your help.
Hi Reed.
We don’t recall, and couldn’t find the number either. Hopefully someone else who knows will chime in.
Aloha.
Any idea what the timeline is now for SWA to announce flights? I’ve been refreshing my page hourly figuring they would be announcing something very soon. It’s been silent. Thanks!
Hi Michelle.
We just updated with the most current information. It won’t be much longer!
Aloha.
hi!
i was wondering if ticket sales will start immediately following the official announcement
thank you!
Hi Alexis.
First there will be the announcement. Ticket sales will start within 24 hours thereafter. We’ll update this very soon.
Aloha.
It’s March, and still no announcement. Are you thinking there is a possibility for something over the weekend, or are we more than likely looking at next week?
Hi Kim.
We are doubtful of a weekend announcement. So I think that answers your question. 🙂
Aloha.
Good luck with the The “Southwest Effect”. That only works when they enter a market with the full force of the airline. Only some of their aircraft are ETOPs certified and small group of their pilots. They will not have a pilot or aircraft base in Hawaii and they will only be flying from a few locations in California. So, what gives SWA advantages over other airlines does not apply in this case. There will be a price war but it will be short lived.
While I agree that the “Price War” probably won’t be as significant as they would like us to believe, there is 1 key thing I think you are leaving out. Most of the US has to layover in Oakland / LA / San Fran before continuing to Hawaii. Prior to SouthWest they would have to fly with multiple carriers, that is going to change and SouthWest will be able to pull a much larger market share.
Chris, how so? Alaska, United, American, and Delta offer tons of one-stop options via all their hubs. United will fly you to all four islands via Denver, American will do so via Phoenix. No need to fly multiple carriers.
What is the timeline for flight from Honolulu to the continental US, west and east coast? What type of pricing will we be looking expecting.
As a retired operator of B737’s classic and NG there is not an issue with engine cooling. Cooling is required after the engine is taken out of reverse and before shut down, typically 2 to 3 min’s (Req’d vs recommended) The Max does take longer to start but this is no more than approx 1 minute give or take. The real issue will be brake cooling and that is not for the heat built up due to brakes on landing but is done in consideration for the ‘potential’ hi speed abort on the next takeoff. (accumulated heat) Short turn times will be a key player with this but there are ways to mitigate. The long term issue will be with high humidity and salt air requiring increased maintenance. Time for SWA to get contract issues worked out with their very experienced mx tech’s vs farming the work out to contract mx.