It was just a few weeks ago we wrote about future Southwest Hawaii red-eye flights, and at that point, it appeared that they were much further off than we have now come to believe. Southwest has remained the last holdout of all airlines flying to Hawaii in terms of offering red-eye, overnight flights. So now it looks likely that later this month, when Southwest next adjusts its flight schedule, that they may attempt to join the Hawaii airline red-eye pack.
Why more Hawaii red-eye flights now?
First, it is largely not that Southwest passengers have been clamoring for red-eye flights, even though that is at least partially true.
And, unfortunately for many of us, according to your comments, airlines are running more and more Hawaii to mainland flights overnight. Just last week BOH editors flew from Hawaii to the mainland, and indeed it was an overnight flight that departed Hawaii at 11 pm .
Southwest Hawaii red-eye flights up next.
Southwest said last month that they ultimately plan to offer a range of red-eye flights, perhaps up to 50 per day system-wide. Hawaii and Las Vegas are the two places that Southwest plans to start the process. That was confirmed by Southwest’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ryan Green. Last month, however, the airline said they still had to overcome technical and workforce issues in order to proceed. And now we know more about that.
Last month, the Washington Post thought that it could still take years for Southwest Hawaii red-eye flights to start. But today, we have learned that instead, an announcement could come this month with flights to follow in short order.
Red-eye Hawaii flights are good for Southwest.
For those of us who desire them, as well as the rest of us who frequently now have few choices, overnight flights do have some benefits. They both extend vacation time in Hawaii, and reduce costs by eliminating one expensive Hawaii hotel night. There are some other benefits for passengers too, like arriving at Hawaii airports at night when they are less crowded, although with more red-eye flights, even that benefit could change.
Southwest is coming up short of the number of planes they both need and anticipated to receive in 2024.
Of the 58 MAX 8 aircraft planned, it just isn’t known in the current fluid situation with troubled Boeing, just how many planes Southwest might get. They had hoped that perhaps 48 could still arrive, but now, that is anything but clear.
What we’ve just learned about Southwest Hawaii red-eye flights.
Breaking airline route news website enilria.com reported that Southwest hopes to add red-eye flights as soon as their next schedule update which is due to drop on April 25, 2024. That is when they’ll announce their schedule up to March 2025, and may also make adjustments to their already announced schedule. They said, “If Southwest can get approval of the Flight Attendant Tentative Agreement by the 25th of this month, they will move forward with red-eyes this Fall to combat the MAX related aircraft shortage.” It would be very surprising if the first of such routes would be anything other than from Hawaii.
There is concern that without red-eye flights entering Southwest’s schedule very soon, there may not be enough aircraft to fly both their current routes and those already planned.
Should we count you among those who will be on new Southwest Hawaii red-eye flights?
Do you know if the planes they might use will have lay-down seats available for sleep?
Hi Pamela
Southwest? Are you joking?
Aloha.
Maybe in the cargo hold 😉
What about a redeye flight from Tennessee (Nashville) to Hawaii. With stop over in Las Vegas
Some politicians want to isolate Hawaii from the tourism bsiness, the very fountain of life for Hawaii.
We travel to Maui twice every year, and would prefer flights that arrive and depart in the day time. But not much choice for airlines in Canada. Red-eye flights actually cost us more in accommodations due to paying for an extra night.
If we’re lucky, we arrive in Maui around 10 PM, get to our Kaanapali resort before midnight, then get to sleep around 1-2 AM (not great for earlybirds). We lose out on the day hours that could have been spent relaxing and settling in, going out to a nice restaurant, and watching the sunset.
We pay for an extra night, due to the red-eye departure flight, so we don’t have to check out at 10 AM and lug our stuff around for the whole day. Can also get in a late day shower and a nap before checking out.
What about red-eye flights To Hawaii? It would be nice to get on a plane on the east coast in the evening without taking the day off work and be in Hawaii in the morning to have a full day. The only option I currently see involves a 6+hr layover in California airports and getting to Hawaii at 12pm. This is for BI.