Southwest Airlines announced anticipated changes to its business model today, aiming to overhaul its service by 2026. For Hawaii travelers, this means reduced routes, less legroom, and an end to the airline’s iconic open-seating policy. And it all comes with a 30% off sale, valid through the end of today.
The most immediate impact will be on long-haul Hawaii flights, with legroom reduced on standard seats, though some premium options will offer up to 5 more inches. At this morning’s Investor Day announcement, flights to Hawaii will be cut by at least 20%, and we’d suggest perhaps double that ultimately, with Oakland possibly losing its status as a Hawaii focus city entirely.
Check out our latest coverage on Southwest Hawaii updates for further details on recent changes, including red-eye flights from Hawaii and route reductions. The two free checked bags will continue.
What’s changing with Southwest’s Hawaii service?
The most noticeable change for Hawaii travelers will be reduced (31-inch) legroom in standard seats to make room for premium seating, potentially making longer flights feel more cramped. This adjustment follows Southwest’s previous assurance that standard legroom would remain unchanged.
While premium seating with extra legroom will be introduced, most seats will have less space. Additionally, the shift to assigned seating by 2026 comes alongside fewer Hawaii routes, reflecting Southwest’s broader focus on cost-saving and operational changes.
Also changing is the upcoming introduction of assigned seats, which is a big departure for the airline. On our flight to Dallas yesterday, we paid for Early Bird to get a better boarding position out of Los Angeles. That worked great (A 33-34), but without assigned seats, we needed a strategy on which ones to pick. Jeff asked how many open seats there were, which helped us decide.
All that will be changing with seats pre-assigned. According to Southwest, however, the boarding process will remain the same (more to be revealed).
Will Southwest’s cuts affect Hawaii airfare prices?
With fewer flights anticipated and less competition, Hawaii ticket prices are expected to continue rising, especially during peak travel times. The move away from Oakland as a focus city could also mean fewer affordable options for West Coast travelers heading to Hawaii.
Does premium seating benefit Hawaii travelers?
Southwest is banking on premium seating, offering 34″ legroom, attracting a new segment of travelers. While this will provide more comfort for those willing to pay, it could mean fewer affordable seats.
Introducing these premium seats aligns with Southwest’s aim to modernize and appeal to a broader market. Still, traditional Southwest travelers to Hawaii might find it harder to secure the cheap fares and comfortable seats on island flights they’ve come to expect.
What does this mean for Southwest and its future in Hawaii travel?
These changes mark a turning point for Southwest in Hawaii, which previously prided itself on value and simplicity. While the airline must adapt to market pressures, it’s a departure from what’s made Southwest a favored option for Hawaii travelers. Reduced service and potentially higher costs could make Southwest less competitive against carriers, especially the newly Alaska Airlines-acquired Hawaiian Airlines, which offers more traditional seating options and amenities.
The bottom line about Southwest changes for Hawaii travelers.
Southwest’s transformation is a gamble that is, at best, currently half-cooked. Investor Elliott’s dissatisfaction with Southwest’s plans and management team, the likelihood of far more Hawaii flight reductions, and other factors will continue redefining Southwest’s presence in the islands and its relationship with Hawaii travelers, visitors, and residents.
Assigned seating, reduced legroom, and potential route cuts will mean fewer deals and less convenience. While premium seats may entice a different type of traveler, losing Southwest’s once-unbeatable Hawaii value proposition might leave travelers looking elsewhere.
Southwest Hawaii fare sale: 30% discount today only.
Southwest Airlines is offering a 30% discount on flights today only as part of their Friends TV series celebration. This special deal applies to travel between Oct. 24, 2024, and Jan. 31, 2025, and must be booked today using the promo code “FRIENDS.”
While interisland Hawaii travel is excluded, this is an excellent opportunity for mainland travelers to save. Visit the Southwest website today to check availability and book your discounted flight to Hawaii!
Do the changes announced thus far impact your choosing Southwest for Hawaii flights?
Photo Credit: Beat of Hawaii photo yesterday at Dallas Love Field.
Yea, with the Alaska/Hawaiian merger and changes at SW locals should prepare for much higher inter island rates, high change fees, etc. Only fly Hawaiian if I have to.
In response to a previous Southwest Airlines forecast article, I describe the reasons I usually choose it for my regular Denver to Maui flights: “ Southwest offers best legroom in economy class; most mainland flights to Hawaii; no reservation change penalty fees; free baggage; faster no seat assignment boarding; consistent low to lowest fares; and no red eye flights.”
Eliminating or reducing 4 of the 7 reasons I choose SWA is not a favorable response to induce my patronage in the future.
Who does Elliott Investment expect to interest to buy my empty seat?
The mentioned changes definitely changes my plans with Southwest airline. The just went from my primary use Airline where I used them several times a year to probably a zero.
My main reasons for using SW other than price was the seating having more room / more comfortable and it flew in and out of my primary smaller airport. Well, it’s already cancelled flying in/out of my primary airport and with less room for seating it will most likely place it in the same category as United where my wife refuses even consider them.
Guess it’s time to cancel their primer credit card. Why build up points you can’t use.
I like SW the way they are. More legroom.
I don’t mind the boarding but only fly inter island. Somehow it seems faster than Hawaiian?
Also like the movies that are always playing, even with boarding and deboarding. Many times we’re last to deboard. They even save your movie at the spot you left off for the next flight.
Sad about the changes.
Just ridiculous!
Southwest was always known in Texas as a cattle car airline. Now with these downgrades in service and comfort it’s no better than laughing stock Spirit, and bottom of the barrel Frontier. Now it’s time for Alaska/Hawaiian to make their move to claim dominance in the Hawaii market. A much better choice for travel to and from Hawaii for every type of traveler.
I took an injured flight on Southwest earlier this year and thought it was a miserable experience. The new changes that they’re making just solidified my previous decision that I will never fly Southwest Airlines.
As long as there are buyers who look at price rather than value whether by financial constraints or nature, pile it high and sell it cheap will always find a buyer. Was bound to happen. Let us see if Hawaiian/Alaska and which of the big 3 join the rush to the bottom.
SWA just announced that they will spend $2.5 Billion
on stock buybacks in order to prop up their per share price.
Even with the drop to 31 inches Southwest will have equal or better economy seat pitch than Hawaiian.