Southwest Airlines is rolling out major upgrades to its Boeing 737 fleet, which will start in about three weeks, and Hawaii travelers are in for a treat sooner rather than later. Starting May 2025, the airline will retrofit over 800 aircraft with premium seating, assigned boarding, and other features.
These changes promise to make long-haul flights to Hawaii more comfortable, predictable, and enjoyable—just in time for summer travel. BOH editors can’t wait to try the new Southwest Hawaii product and report to you on how well it works across the Pacific.
How Southwest’s 737 retrofits may improve Hawaii flights.
For Hawaii-bound travelers, these retrofits could mark a significant shift. Southwest is introducing premium seating for the first time, with up to five extra inches of legroom in front-of-cabin and exit row locations. This additional comfort may be most valuable for longer-haul flights to Hawaii, where passengers often endure five or more hours in the air.
Another major change is the shift to assigned seating, another first for Southwest Airlines. This new system will allow passengers to reserve seats in advance, eliminating the unpredictability of open seating. Families, couples, and travelers with specific seat preferences may appreciate the ability to choose where they sit. The option to purchase an extra seat may also now appear.
Southwest’s fleet upgrades: a boost for Hawaii travel?
The retrofits are part of a broader effort to enhance the passenger experience. By May 8, 2025, the first retrofitted aircraft will enter service, just in time for the summer travel season. With more legroom, reserved seating, and a streamlined boarding process, Hawaii travelers can look forward to a more enjoyable journey.
As commenter Mark M. pointed out, “It’s a bummer to see Southwest change their Hawaii offerings, but honestly, Hawaiian Airlines has always had a great reputation for service. I’ll be paying more attention to them now of course.”
Assigned seating: What Hawaii travelers should know.
While these changes are exciting, they may come with initial challenges. The transition from open seating to assigned seating could disrupt Southwest’s famously quick boarding process. Additionally, premium seating will come with an added cost, raising questions about Southwest Hawaii pricing during peak travel periods.
However, Southwest is preparing for these adjustments by streamlining operational procedures and ensuring a smooth rollout. The long-term benefits of enhanced comfort and predictability are expected to outweigh any initial hiccups.
As highlighted in Southwest’s Competitive Lockstep: Hawaii Travelers See Free Bags Shrink First, the airline’s changes are part of a broader trend of reduced perks for budget-conscious travelers. Free checked bags are now disappearing for many, further emphasizing the balancing act Southwest faces in maintaining its appeal while implementing these enhancements.
“I used to love Southwest because of the flexibility with seating and prices,” said a commenter, noting how Southwest had once been a favorite for budget travelers. “But now with these changes, I’m not so sure.”
Southwest Airlines intersects the future of Hawaii travel.
Southwest’s retrofits reflect its commitment to meeting the evolving needs of modern travelers. By investing in comfort and convenience, the airline is positioning itself as a top choice for Hawaii-bound passengers. Whether you’re traveling for business, vacation, or a family reunion, these upgrades promise to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.
Hawaii travelers have long enjoyed the flexibility and affordability of Southwest, even as prices on their Hawaii flights have greatly increased. However, some have expressed concerns that recent shifts, such as this assigned seating and added fees, might reduce the charm that originally made Southwest stand out.
As commenter Chris K. shared, “Southwest helped me see my family on different islands so many times. Without them, I’m not sure I could afford to do that anymore.” These concerns underscore the importance of balancing comfort upgrades with the affordability that has made Southwest popular with many.
Final thoughts on Southwest Airlines’ retrofits.
These are set to redefine Hawaii travel to some degree, offering more comfort and convenience for passengers, but with potentially greater cost. With premium seating, assigned boarding, and enhanced features, the airline is positioning itself as a top choice for Hawaii-bound travelers.
What do you think about these changes? Will they make you more likely to choose Southwest for your next trip to paradise? Let us know in the comments!
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So happy my next SWA flight to Oahu is prior to these changes!!!
My wife and i are already booked for july.i have bussiness select while my wife is general boarding alist. How will this effect our travel?
Do some seats have extra legroom … do most of the seats have far less legroom? Big time southwest fan – and really disappointed that they are removing everything southwest is know for
We can’t wait to try the new SWA Hawaii service!!
You know what would be a neat concept for them to pilot in Hawaii is a “shared” middle seat. When you buy your seat, you could be able to “buy” half of the middle seat as well in hopes the other person buys the other half and then neither of you have to worry about that squished, overweight, smelly person taking up your arm rest
I am an established A Listers who has mainly used SWA for 15 years. Frankly, I now have a skeptical attitude, but will wait a bit longer before committing to another carrier. I suspect the wall street takeover will result in the profitable airline being looted and then heading for bankruptcy in about two or three years.
“…the airline is positioning itself as a top choice for Hawaii-bound passengers.”
No its not. It will offer a higher price with less benefits and a less convenient schedule. Will this retrofit include adding another aisle to each of their planes? If not, there’s literally no reason to choose them over Hawaiian. Southwest just took away the free bags while Hawaiian is giving one free bag to kamaaina traveling inter island. Don’t need to be a member of their credit card or anything. The hedge fund bros really tanked SW.
Beat of Hawaii is incredibly optimistic about Southwest becoming an ‘regular’ airline. I don’t see the benefits anymore when the things that drew people to Southwest have disappeared entirely. Unfortunate, especially for interisland travel.
Southwest is now trying to be like every other legacy….. Yet without first class, international routes, or a global alliance?
Ma and Pa Kettle liked the bags and open seating.
I personally think Southwest is doomed.
Makes no difference to me – so you get an extra 4 inches of space. With other airlines you have the opportunity to have flat seats, large monitors, amenity kits, dining, and other stuff is still absent on Southwest. Plus not much compares to the flying comfort of a 777 or 787 which Southwest will probably never offer.
Already one of the most expensive, they are figuring out more ways to charge more money…more expensive seats to offer and charging for bags. They literally are only 2nd to Delta in revenue per seat mile for US airlines and yet are more and more like spirit airlines who is next to the cheapest per seat mile. Order (cheapest per seat mile to most expensive) is: 1. Frontier 2. Spirit 3. Hawaiian 4. Allegiant 5. JetBlue 6. Alaska 7. United 8. American 9. Southwest and 10. Delta. Yet SWA marketing makes it seem like a low cost carrier, only in services that are getting worse and finding out more ways to be more expensive.
I love S.W. the way it is. I have been able to spend alot of time with the grandkids due to affordable fares. Bring lots of gifts in the bags. And love seating, and boarding. Hope it won’t change into just another airline!
They can upgrade the seats all they want, but they need to start serving food choices other than snack crackers. I don’t mind paying for a nice snack like on Alaska. Not everyone is flying directly from the west coast to Hawaii. Last fall I flew from Denver to Kona. Took my usual plane snacks with me but planned to grab something more filing and warm at the Las Vegas airport. Flight was so late I barely had time to grab more snacks at the gate before lining up to get on the next leg. Lucky I grabbed a yogurt and some fruit since all they did was keep handing out different types of snack crackers Will never fly them again to Hawaii
RE:SWA! As a 15 year loyal SWA customer for all of our domestic travel and stockholders, we are rethinking our loyalty!
Changes that meet the corporate need for profit erases all distinction between SWAand other carriers with same routes. Choices are many and all in the same $$ grabbing arena so why maintain loyalty?
A huge distinctive was 2 free bags which is a game changer for frequent flyers between HNL and west coast destinations for family! Watching events, including stock holdings , closely for reconsideration of carriers for SWA becomes just anther possibility!
It certainly isn’t the snacks!
Hi BeatofHawaii,
Would u comment if SWA will equip their planes with Starlink?
Also, will Alaska continue to offer Starlink for free on Hawaiian.
My wife & I, long term Hawaiian residents on Kauai both have Premier Accounts as we often check in two free bags each. U might alert again, that Premier is sadly coming to an end. There will be no more renewals of expiring Premier Accounts.
Warm Alohas & Mahalo,
Anthony
I’m old enough to feel grateful for airline travel that can get me just about anywhere I want. 5 hours to get me to Hawaii to visit family beats a 2-day trip I. The back seat of a car. I won’t be paying for an “upgrade.” Just get me there and I’ll be happy.