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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We have travel booked for July 14th, pushed back from June 2. We’re waiting…can cancel everything without penalty for at least another few weeks, so we’ll see what things look like then. Obviously we don’t want to go if it’s not safe or if we won’t get to do the things we are hoping to see.
Thanks for keeping us posted on what is happening. I’m just not ready to give in yet!
Hi Lisa.
We’re thinking it may just work out. Please get back and let us know. But as we told Mike, with the way things are working in Hawaii, it is hard to call. Just guessing we’ll say there should be a definite statement by next week. Fingers crossed that comes to pass.
Aloha.
Aloha! I saw a news article that cruises may not resume until second half of 2021, including Pride of America. Have you heard anything about cruises?
Hi David.
NCL plans to resume Hawaii cruises in late summer. Subject to change of course, but it appears stakeholders like the airlines and cruise lines are now being apprised by the state.
Aloha
All travel agencies here, said Hawaii is not accepting tourists yet. We can’t even schedule until the quarantine is definitely lifted.
Hello,
Thank you for such an informative newsletter. I have purchased tickets on Southwest for August 2020 from San Diego to Kauai and I do not see that on your updated routes? I hope Southwest honors our trip. Thank you again for your help on all matters when it comes to traveling to your beautiful islands.
Mahalo Gina
Hi Gina.
From San Diego, they offer nonstop flights to Maui and Honolulu only. Kauai and Kona are via those two locations.
Aloha.
Hi, I have/had a ticket to Maui May18 -June 1st, which had been cancelled and funds were placed in my account for future use. My question is will I still be able to book a flight for the same price as I had paid for the reservation I made, once flights are available again? I thank you for your time and assistance. I greatly appreciated it.
Sincerely,
Karen
Hi Karen.
Each airline has specific rules on charging for fare differences or not. On the SWA website they state “Is there a fee to change my flight to a different date? Southwest does not charge fees to change or cancel flights, although applicable fare differences may apply.”
Aloha.
Hello! May I please get your thoughts on our flight to Maui for June 2-9th? We have a non-stop there from Seattle but have not heard any update on the Hawaiians quar antine being extended beyond May 31? Do you envision the travel quar antine being extended? And I don’t believe HAWAIIAN is currently flying directly to Maui? Any guidance or wisdom on what you are hearing would be most helpful!
Thanks so much!
Jeff
Hi Jeff.
We are waiting to get an update on the fast-approaching May 31 date as well. Gut says it will be extended at least two more weeks for mainland flights, but we cant say for sure.
Aloha.
14-day Quar antine Is EXTENDED until June 30…recommend re-scheduling.
I have a flight to Kauia July 2 – 12 – do you think this will be possible to fly there by then? Thank you so much for your opinion..
Hi Julie.
We expect to have more information in the next two to three weeks. Please check back or just subscribe to our updates.
Alohs.
Would Hawaiianairlines follow this decision? I booked Hawaiianairlines’ one way ticket which is going to Korea on June 4th. It niggles at me.
HUGE kudos to Southwest. We were originally scheduled to go to Hawaii the beginning of June. I had to change all 7 flights (we have to fly to CA to catch a flight from there, plus inter-island flights) to mid-July (hoping things will look better by then). They let me change all flights without any extra fees or fare differences. I was able to do most of this online very easily. However, there were a few I had to call about. They were even flexible on some of the flights, letting you fly in/out of different airports than the original reservation.
I love Southwest for their generous cancellation fees, as well as their lack of extra fees. My experiences in situations like these enhance my loyalty even more! They definitely have my loyalty, and I was so excited when they finally started flying to Hawaii! I hope they are able to continue their expansion plans. Thanks.
Hi Lisa.
Thanks for the feedback on your experience. That will be of help to others.
Aloha.
SWA is our go-to airlines for domestic flights. No fuss every which way (e.g. luggage fees, cancellations, seating, flight costs, award seats, etc).
Hi
I totally agree with you regarding SWA, they are wonderful with no change fees, no baggage fee, the best.
I will say I had a ticket to Puerto Vallarta in March, and got a full refund with American Airlines with no hassle.
Ron
Keep Up The Great Work!
Hi Marv.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I commented earlier on my son’s flight to Maui out of Oakland on June 13. I just checked SW and there is no mention of any cancellations as of 4/15 @7:30 am PDT. Where are you getting your info. Aloha
Jim & Leslie
Hi Jim.
You will see the information we indicated reflected on the airline’s online schedule.
Aloha.
BTW, I’m seeing comments here from April 5, yet I just got my issue of BOH 4/15. Wuzzup? Aloha,
Jim & Lelsie
Hi Jim.
Not sure we are following your question.
Aloha.
My son and his family were booked from San Jose to Maui on June 14 and had their flight cancelled yesterday 4/14. Their friends were were booked on June 13 to Maui out of Oakland had their flight moved to June 15. My son called and after several questions managed to book his family on the Oakland flight from which his friend was removed. His friend then called and cancelled his Monday flight and rebooked his original Saturday out of Oakland. Now they are all on the same flight. This all occurred around 6:00pm PDT last night. Haven’t heard anything yet today, 4/15. What is going on??
Jim & Leslie
Hi Jim.
There are the “essential” flights that are still on schedule. And Oakland and San Jose are still scheduled to have those. If we missed your question, please let us know.
Aloha.
Have been waiting and finally received the cancellation email for our May 13 flight.
Southwest has refunded the taxes and fees only,back to original payment form. The ticket costs have been returned to your account, in the form of Travel Funds (no refund). If you re-book and it is a a higher cost they will pay the difference, but only within 60 days of your original flight. Unfortunately, it is going to find anything within that time frame, because June is pretty much only 1 flight per day and July is not much better.
Just wanted to share,
Thank you
Hi Mary.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Aloha,
Really appreciate the information!
Yesterday we noticed Hawaiian Air added flights to and from Seattle/Kahului beginning May 1! We then found that travel is with a layover in Honolulu. We sure wish we knew why Hawaiian is changing their schedule so much and why they would open up flights May 1. It doesn’t seem like people should be going to Hawaii in two weeks!
What do you think of this? We value your opinion so much.
Stay healthy and safe!
Mahalo
Lanell
Hi Lanell.
Thank you! Yes we see those flights, and it contradicts what the airline said they were doing Hmmm. Not sure what to make of that, and it doesn’t seem likely to us that that will be operating. We are hoping to know a lot more in the May 1 time frame.
Aloha.
Just wanted to report that I received an email moments ago stating that my Southwest flight from San Jose to Maui scheduled for June 11 has been cancelled.
Does anyone know if Hawaiian Airlines will be flying in May? Thanks
Hi Linda.
We have published all information currently available here: https://beatofhawaii.com/hawaiian-airlines-flight-cancellations/.
Aloha.
Please comment (if you have info) as to the SouthWest plane being washed in your photo (by two firetrucks). Is this a decontamination for Corona Virus precaution or simply a fire department training exercise? I am a firefighter and HazMat trainer on the mainland and just curious.
Thank you
Hi Jim.
That is called a water canon salute. It is done for special occasions, such as an inaugural or final flight, or a special event like a beloved crew member retiring. Not all the time either. We have been through many of them, and they are always very special. Thanks for asking.
Aloha.
Thank you for this update. I don’t see it anywhere on the Southwest site. We currently are scheduled to travel June 1, so I’m hanging tight to see if we can re-book without paying fare difference if we are able to make it work later in the summer. I’m hopeful, as I’m afraid what fares will look like next summer!
Thank you for keeping us posted. Hawaii is our “capstone” trip with our kids after doing the other 49 states/capitols, so we’re looking forward to making this happen!
Hi Lisa.
You can see it on the Southwest site inasmuch as when you search, you will not find flights for those dates. Not sure when or if they will make an official statement, but if there are no flights showing, then by default, they must be cancelled.
Aloha.
Thank you. I appreciate all the information you’ve been sharing. It’s nice to be able to get a leg up on re-booking accommodations.
Love your site and look forward to seeing Hawaii!
Hi Lisa.
Thanks for your comments. Our sense is we should know more in the next few weeks.
Aloha.
Can you please clarify if this includes flights between islands?
Hi Tonya.
Interisland flights are not cancelled. Rather they are on a reduced schedule during that time.
Aloha.
Makes sense – thank you. I just re-checked our flights, and they switched our flight from flying into HNL to flying in to OAK on June 1, which obviously makes no sense, and we haven’t received any notification. However, wait times are too long when I call, so I guess I’ll hold tight and see what happens.
Obviously there are others with more pressing issues, and things are so rapidly changing!
I appreciate the updates you’re providing, as it keeps me informed of the ever-changing situation!
Hi Lisa.
Sounds good. Please stay and touch and let us know how it shakes out. You have a good attitude!
Aloha.
Any idea when Alaska will be canceling their flights to Lihue? I have one scheduled for April 17, from San Jose CA and I’m wondering when the best time to cancel it is. Thanks.
Hi Kris.
We don’t know what is going on with that to be honest and definitely don’t believe they will be flying that. Have you tried contacting them?
Aloha.
Everyone who is still trying to fly to Hawai’i during this, be a little more considerate. It may sound harsh but we don’t want you coming here right now. Stay home. Your “sanity” is not as important as the lives you put at risk.
Our one advantage in this is island isolation. Please, help us save as many lives as possible by maintaining that.
The Southwest Airlines’ schedule release date has already changed. “We are currently accepting air reservations through October 30, 2020. On May 28, 2020 we will open our schedule for sale through January 4, 2021. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently.”
Hi Rob.
That changed fast. Thanks. We’ve updated the post.
Aloha.
Hi – Will southwest give a refund for a flight cancelled on 4/10/2020? I have travel credits but would rather have the refund. If so, how does that happen?
Thank you for your continuing updates of all the news in this uncertain time. With this date being putting out there, what is the likelihood that the mayor of Kaua’i and/or the state governor will start allowing visitors back? I have a flight scheduled for June 6 to my favorite place — Kaua’i.
Hi Debbie.
It is too early to say. Check back in a month and we should know a lot more.
Aloha.
Mahalo for all your information. This small connection to Kaua’i during these times help to keep me (semi) sane!😊
Hi Barney.
Thank you.
Aloha.
I suspect it will only be a matter of time that Alaska, American Airlines, and United follow what Southwest and Hawaiian airlines have just done. Sad day for everyone.
American and Alaska already have cut to a ske link et ok n schedule. United is the outlier, probably because of the Guam and Micronesia service.
We cancelled PHX to ABQ mid April with no trouble but could not get a refund or credit for early seat assignment. Should I try harder? Mahalo for keeping us informed.
Hi Dee.
If you cancelled due to either a flight cancellation or a significant change in the flight date/time, then the DOT rules will apply and yes you should. If that isn’t the case, then it will be discretionary.
Aloha.
Hello, I was just wondering if the fare differences could go up on Southwest if our trip is postponed due to this? I was looking at buying tickets for July 1-13. The prices are great of course, but I worry that if I have to re-book for next summer, I will have to pay the difference as prices go back up by hundreds of dollars. Thanks so much! Love your website!
Kelly
Hi Kelly.
We have asked and looked but have not heard anything definitive about SWA waiving fare differences. Wouldn’t be surprised to see that possibility.
Aloha.
why are you still bringing people to hawaii? do you know its home for us not just a vacation destination as you think. we have our family, loved ones, kids live on this island. please stop spreading.
Not sure why BOH isn’t commenting on SWA cancelling all but 2 flights to and from mainland and cutting back almost all interisland flights. The State now has 14 day indoor quar antine for all airline passengers entering the state. Police are authorized to stop and charge violators.
Hi SWA
Any update on when you will be offering direct flights from SAN to LIH?
we are eagerly awaiting this as a non stop way to get out to Kauai:)
thanks
Are you going to stop flights from Sacramento to Maui because of the quar antine. I saw that they want visitors to stay home. If they come they will have to stay in for 14 days.
saw flights from ATL to KOA last week, but they are gone now. Can you explain? Mahalo!
Hi Chip.
Not sure exactly what you are looking for. Schedules are all in state of flux for near term.
Aloha.
I would love to fly Southwest round trip to Kauai from Dallas but we can’t get back in a reasonable time.
Any idea when swa might fly San diego to Kauai?
The Max plane is dead. Everyone might as well expect a different version of 700 to be created, or SWA will start buying Airbus. These airlines are not going to wait around for the Max Plane forever. Besides people, won’t fly the plane anyway. There is no rush to bring that plane back into service, so at this point, you might as well stop calling it a delay.
was there a major scheduling change in last few days? a few days ago there were routes every day from reno to lihue (thru SJC). now its only on weekends at twice the price
Do you think or do sources indicate that only the potential Basic Economy tickets would have no free checked bags, and would lack the no change fees? Or would all ticket price levels be affect? Could you do a special article on how basic economy, once introduced, changed other airlines and how it could change the face of Southwest as I know and love it?
The buildup for SW flights is mildly exciting. Visiting Kauai mid-February and booked my tixs on Hawaiian last July for less than $100 more RT. Peace of mind is important to some flyers, that would be me, and waiting, and waiting, for SW to get their act together doesn’t give me that but perhaps they’ll do better in the future.
Swa has also ordered the 700 max. Those are also sitting with the 800 max right now. It is the 700 max that will have the power and range to start phx, las, den, ect. So its coming. We just don’t know when
I understand Southwest doesn’t do red eyes and thus that limits availability from airports east of Denver but why will they not make *any* itineraries from those origins available? The first flights from the East Coast can still get to HNL by dinnertime. Is it because they won’t return a one-way unless it can be booked as a round trip?
Very frustrating at the moment, especially since they stopped nonstop service to SJC from my airport (RDU). Until they add PHX, LAS, or DEN as Hawaii origins, this is going to be a major problem for anyone on the East Coast. Those three airports are faaaaar easier to get to compared to OAK, SJC, SAN, and SMF.