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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Something to remember is even though the Southwest fares are 10-20 dollars more, you get 2 free checked bags. You save more than that for 1 checked bag on most other airlines just one way!
I’m so excited about what this means to Hawaii travelers – not only inbound tourists, but equally important Hawaii residents who in the past have been burden with high costs to travel to the mainland. Kudos to SW.
FYI- SW opened their October calendar early this morning. Fares aren’t special, at least not by the time I discovered it.
Hello, when can we expect Sacramento to Maui flights to become available? March 18th early morning?
Would also like to know time of day they release these flights and is it EST or PST?
Hi there! You said that southwest will eventually transition to the Max 7 which will bring Denver into range of Hawaii. We are planning a trip to Hawaii for my sisters wedding in October. With the rates that were released today would it likely be best just to book now or would they possibly start running routes from Denver before October? Thank you so much for the work you do on this site. It’s been incredibly helpful!
Hi Clint.
Thanks for the nice words, we appreciate it. No it is almost guaranteed that won’t happen before October. You didn’t say where you are flying to. But, for example, the nonstop on United is under $700 in October which is a good price and saves a lot of time (if that’s where you are headed). Otherwise, choices with stops start at high $500’s and those could drop some by waiting.
Aloha.
The schedule through November 2 was released this morning (but not flights from Sacramento).
FYI Southwest flights through November 1 are up as of this morning.
Aloha!
We’ve been following your site since last year and absolutely love all your updates on Southwest! We’ve patiently been waiting for flights to be announced from Sacramento to Maui as we have plans to go to maui in early June, but we’re getting nervous! If the long awaited sacramento flights are announced on 3/18, what time are the tickets generally available? Is there a specific time they go on sale? We want to be at the computer with credit card in hand as i’m sure they will sell out quick! If you’ve answered this question elsewhere, I apologize, I try to read everything but may have missed it. Mahalo!
Hi Lauren.
We thoughts the flights in question would already have been announced. But with the Max 8 issues (although not directly related to Hawaii), things seem to have changed. It doesn’t seem prudent to wait on Southwest for an early June departure.
Aloha.
I haven’t seen any info about SW flights leaving for Hawaii from SFO. Wasn’t this planned? Do you have any info on those flights potentially being announced soon?
Please offer thoughts re: is it too early to be making flight reservations for Denver/Honolulu returning Kauai/Denver Nov.15-27. United has a non stop round trip around $770 but hoping that would/could come down.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Hi Jan.
Good deal actually. Considering the nonstop (we so prefer that to/from Denver) and your dates around Thanksgiving. Would buy at that price.
Aloha.
Will our July flts (sjc to hnl) be impacted due to groundings…thank you
Hi Wesley.
Your all good – nothing has changed in that regard.
Aloha.
I have been waiting for flights from Lihue to Kona on SWA in July but perhaps that will not be happening at that point. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks!
Hi Kathy.
We updated that today and unfortunately that’s all the info we have at this point.
Aloha.
Will nonstop sd- Honolulu flights be starting service by May 24th?! If so I will wait to buy tickets, otherwise I’ll need to fly another airline as their prices are already increasing
Please the only plane okayed by FAA to fly for SW is the Max.
So tell me they will use another plane? Nah nada think not. Quick get prices for airfare to the listed airports. I just cancelled SW from Dallas to Las Vegas in April and got better fare on American with upgraded seats. So there the proof will be by their announcement of flights delayed until the president says so. Thanks
Kimo S
Hi Kimo.
At this point (and even before the Max issues arose), the only Southwest Hawaii flights are using 737-800 aircraft, not Max 8. Max 8 will come later.
Aloha.
Hi! When will Sacramento tickets go on sale to Hawaii? And Maui?
Hi. Is it still to our best interest to hold out and wait for Southwest to release flights to Kauai out of the San Francisco Bay Area for travel in July? Other airlines currently have round trip fares for about $500 during the dates we plan to travel. Should we wait for Southwest or just consider the other airlines instead? Thanks in advance for your advice and also for your awesome website!!
Hi Mike.
As you’re aware, this situation remains very fluid and hard to predict. If you want a gut call, then given you’re flying in peak season, suggest buying at that price if the flights and schedules are to your liking.
Aloha.
A little scary as trump has made this political. He issued the order rather then the FAA. Ethiopia has yet to realease the flight recorders and is apparently concerned about the U S getting them and the political implications (home of Boeing and trump just proved decisions can be political)……it’s all speculation but I’m a little concerned this could drag on for a long time. Boeing had to ground the Dreamliner but that situation was remedied relatively quickly and those planes are doing great. Different times now and this could spin out off control.
What time does SW usually make their announcements and start selling tickets? Right at midnight tonight (3/14/19)?
Today the US grounded all 737 Max flights. Can’t be good news for the next wave of Southwest Flights to Hawaii. 🙁
They have other planes they can fly to Hawaii.
When will there be flights from St. Louis Missouri to Hawaii and will there be returning flights for the same price from Hawaii to St. Louis thank you ! Danika
Hi Danika.
We do not expect there to be one-ticket service on Southwest from St. Louis at this time or in the near future. Thus it would require a stopover on the return and multiple tickets.
We will update on this as soon as we know more.
Aloha.
Last summer I made the decision to fly to Hawaii for the first time. That’s when I discovered BOH and learned that SW would be flying there. So I finally booked a week in Honolulu for this coming July and waited. I checked BOH almost every day. I was so excited to see each step in the approvals process completed, through the test flights and FAA certs. The moment they went on sale (and I do mean THE moment as BOH tipped me off that it was coming and I was refreshing my browser waiting for the SW site to update!) I was disheartened to see that I could fly TO Hawaii but not back since – as you certainly know, as do some of your other commenters – they have no flights from Hawaii back to Oakland in time to catch any connecting flight to the east coast. My only option on SW was to stay overnight in Oakland and fly back the next day. I’d have to book at least three separate flights AND a hotel room. After months of anticipation, waiting for Southwest and their legendary low fares and service to get me to Hawaii, I will end up on another airline. Hopefully SW’s entry into the market will lower that airline’s prices and it will be worth the wait after all.
Aloha Beat
Im in so cal and was wondering if the flights from san diego to oahu and LA to oahu will be offered at the same time….im closer to LA but so excited about the introductory fare i will book whichever comes first. Mahalo for the heads up 😎🌴👙🐢🦀🐚🐙🐋
Hi Laura.
At this point we’ll all have to wait until Thursday and see if we learn more. Sorry to not have more information at this time. The situation is quite fluid.
Aloha.
What day are you expecting the direct flights from San Diego to Honolulu to go live for purchase? I’m anxious to finalize our travel plans for May and check multiple times daily. =)
Hi! Do you know what time the tickets will be released for Southwest for the Hawaii flights through November 2nd?
I have been a loyal southwest customer and are waiting each day to hear when flights will start in Sacramento can you tell me when
I recall reading that Chicago to Hawaii tickets were being released on the Southwest website March 12th. Is that still true and is there a general time when these tickets will be placed on the website
We are traveling to Kauai in June 2019. When will flights be available to purchase?
Is Southwest going to be using the Boeing 737 Max 8 for their Hawaiian flights?
Yes, they will be using the 737 Max 8, however, while the report isn’t in on the Ethiopian Air flight, the Lion Air flight was found that the crew didn’t follow the emergency checklist which included disabling the automatic trimming MCAS system. The flight before the fateful crash had experienced the same issue where the crew did disable the faulty MCAS and it took care of the problem. Unfortunately this wasn’t communicated to the replacement crew. All of the Southwest pilots are fully aware that if they experience this issue how to disable it. The real problem here is that the FAA at Boeing’s request didn’t require pilots to be informed of this new system or be trained in the simulator because, the emergency procedure is the same and the handling characteristics are the same as the other 737’s.
While knowing the check list on the MAX 8 is great for safety, the question is why is this dangerous system on the plane to begin with? It seems like an ongoing issues with all of the planes and one mistake, lives can be lost. No one want’s to get on a flight hoping that the Pilots remember to disable a faulty system that could take there lives.
Is there any way to know ahead of time when flights go on sale to Kauai?
My wife and I are planning a trip to Maui and the Big Island in Feb 2020 from the east coast. Obviously SW is not scheduling this far out as of yet. Any idea on when they might be opening scheduling for that time frame? Also what are your thoughts on the leg room differences between the carriers?
We would like to fly to Maui from the East coast between May 21-27. Should we hold off booking on another airlines to see if there are any new deal from Southwest? We would book flights from Raleigh to somewhere in CA and then go from there…
You can also look at United via Denver or American via Dallas. Both airlines will get you back to Raleigh with one-stop (United via San Francisco or Denver, American via Dallas), though involving a redeye. Southwest will require an overnight layover and the purchase of separate ticket, unless you plan to have a couple day stopover in Oakland or San Jose.
When do you guys think you will put flights for sale to Kauai??
Any idea when it will be possible to travel from Chicago to Honolulu, Kauai, etc without paying for two separate round trip tickets? One round trip Chicago to San Diego, etc and one round trip San Diego, etc to Honolulu, Kauai, etc.
Thanks
Hi Connie.
We do not expect that to happen in the near future. That’s all that we know at this time, and when we learn more, we’ll be sure to update. You aren’t the only person asking.
Aloha.
Is there a certain time of day that Southwest releases its sale fares? I am wondering if I should start trying at 12:01 AM (pacific) for sale flights from San Diego. Please share if you know one time of day they release sale fares, if you happen to have any insights. Thank you!
Hi Janice.
We will all learn together how they release Hawaii sales and routes. Last week’s may have been different, since there was so much anticipation as well as secrecy. So, it could remain very early in the morning, but it could just as easily change to a bit later, as the other airlines flying to Hawaii do.
Aloha.
Will there be service to Kaui coming soon? What about inter island flights between Maui & Kauai & cheap fares Maui to PLB? Do you allow multiple day stops enroute in layover cities enroute Btwn Hawaii & east coast? Thatʻs an option that many people living in Hawaii might be excited about! Glad that you are starting to serve Hawaii!
Hello Beat!!
Thanks for all you awesome updates!! I received your email about the SWA Hawaii launch this week 6 hours before the SW email came! You guys rock!!!!
I’ll be going to Kauai May 18-25 and still haven’t purchased flights. I’m closest to LAX but we are willing to drive to San Diego if prices are ridiculously low. Do you think I should just purchase now from LAX to LIH or maybe wait a week for SAN to LIH announcement?
My family has been going to Kauai for decades and we absolutely love your emails! We talk about them and text each other whenever a new one is out! Thanks for all your work!!
-Mahalo, Emily
Hi Emily.
Thanks so much! At this point, given you’re traveling off-peak and the possibility of more announcements, it might be best to hold off for another week. We can’t honestly say with certainty if those routes will be released by then, but there is a definite possibility. Otherwise, usually Tuesday’s are generally the best day to buy. Hope that helps.
Aloha.
Thank you so much for your updates! They are so helpful.
My family of 4 is planning a trip to Kauai in early October. We would be leaving from Phoenix. In your opinion, should we be booking on the 14th with (I assume) a connecting flight, or should we wait to see if Southwest opens a nonstop flight from Phoenix later this year?
Our preference would be for a nonstop because our children will be 4.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Mahalo!
Hi Maria.
Thank you. We don’t know when Phoenix non-stops will happen. So it would be safest to assume that connecting is the only choice, until we hear something else.
Aloha.
Looking forward to what will be offered out of Las Vegas…thanks for keeping us posted!!
Hi Jean.
Thank you! It will happen.
Aloha.
Do you know if they will give discount from Dallas or Austin to Hawaii?
Aloha, please tell me how to book a southwest flight from Honolulu anywhere east of California on the same day. There doesn’t seem to be any connecting flights. I can’t even find a fare on their website. I am hopng that I don’t have to spend the night in Oakland and use a point to point fare over two days. Mahalo.
Hi Stephen.
They do offer some connecting points beyond the west coast already, such as Phoenix, Las Vegas and Denver and those can be selected on the website. That will evolve further east (but not to the east coast). If and when they bring red-eyes to their schedules, it will open the rest of the country. This seems to be how they have designed it for now. And we are just at the very start.
Aloha.