Southwest Airlines, long known for its open-seating policy that arrived in Hawaii five years ago, is undergoing a groundbreaking shift that impacts travelers to Hawaii more than most.
Starting in the second half of 2025, Southwest will introduce assigned seating that it has been planning for some time, with flights featuring this change rolling out in early 2026 for all seats. This could mean a more comfortable and predictable experience for Hawaii-bound travelers with less stress on these longest Southwest Airlines flights.
This update comes as Southwest continues to evolve its Hawaii offerings, balancing service enhancements with route adjustments, which we’ll discuss below.
Assigned seating for all Hawaii travelers.
The introduction of assigned seating brings a significant change to Southwest’s cabin experience. Passengers are about to have the option to select their seats at the time of booking, including access to extra-legroom seats and, just possibly, some even more premium front-row seats (that part isn’t certain). For those who prefer Southwest’s current open-seating style, the lowest fare tier will maintain the traditional boarding process where passengers line up to board, but will have chosen their seats prior.
While this shift is designed to enhance comfort and predictability, the airline is keeping its signature perks. These include two free checked bags, no change or cancellation fees, and travel credits that never expire. This blend of new and familiar features aims to appeal to longtime Southwest loyalists and newcomers alike.
The cost of assigned seats, and premium seats if they too are introduced, have not yet been announced.
Route changes and the future of Hawaii flights.
Southwest Airlines is making significant adjustments to its Hawaii operations. For starters, beginning April 8, 2025, the airline plans to reduce interisland flights on key routes by up to 30%.
For example, the busy Honolulu to Maui route will decrease from 11 to 8 daily flights. Also, flights from Honolulu to Kona and Honolulu to Lihue will be reduced from 6 to 5 daily. Read more in Southwest slashes Hawaii flights despite soaring profits: the real story.
On mainland-Hawaii routes, Southwest will eliminate the Maui to Long Beach route entirely. Flights from Honolulu to Oakland may be reduced from two to one per day or cut altogether. Los Angeles to Kona flights will decrease during the summer of 2025 from five to two per week, while the Sacramento to Kona route will be reintroduced as a seasonal daily service. Learn more at Southwest’s Hawaii reshuffles as Bay Area access tightens in heated airline competition.
These changes highlight Southwest’s ongoing efforts to optimize its Hawaii routes in response to demand and increased competition from Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines.
What’s behind the changes at Southwest.
Southwest’s move to assigned seating reflects just a part of the airline’s broader push to remain competitive in the Hawaii market and elsewhere amid shifting airline dynamics. As other airlines serving Hawaii quickly refine their offerings, this update positions Southwest to attract a range of value-driven, comfort-seeking and loyal passengers.
The airline is known for its simplified pricing and unique customer benefits. Assigned seating adds a new layer of appeal, especially for those traveling with families or seeking a more premium experience on long-haul flights to Hawaii.
Looking ahead and more changes.
The airline is signaling its commitment to evolving alongside its customers’ needs by maintaining its hallmark benefits while introducing new options. We still expect to see some form of Hawaii loyalty program announced, and the airline will likely move to free Wi-Fi in the not distant future.
We welcome your thoughts about Southwest Hawaii changes.
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Not sure why you keep using that photo of an exploding Southwest plane in your articles – interesting shot.
Hi Michael.
Lol. That’s the sun setting behind the plane.
Aloha.
It might bring me to SW for Hawaii travel. Never flew SW to/from Hawaii due to no seat assignment.
Hallelujah! I dislike flying SWA for the non-assigned seats, but love the bags-fly-free (which is now in their DNA and will not change). Speaking with SWA FA who told me they love upcoming assigned seating for safety reasons: They like to know where their people are sitting, including younger and senior fliers. FA didn’t know one other FA that liked the current system because of all the complaints. The hope is to still line everyone up by their new seating group (A 1-15, 16-30 and so on)(in relation to where they sit) to help keep boarding speedy. Their profit relies on quick turnarounds – in some markets as quick as 35-40 minutes. I, for one, appreciate their expediency. But, man, I’ve also sat in some messy, uncleaned planes.
I’ve been flying Southwest to Hawaii since they started, and honestly, I’m fine with most changes as long as the free bags and no change fees stay.
They’re adding redeyes, but cutting flights from Oakland? That doesn’t make any sense to me but I hope it works out for them. Clearly they’re confused right now so trying many things.
I actually don’t see how assigned seating will work with their current boarding process. Feels like it’s going to slow things down even more with this feature.
I know it’s about economics. I am just wondering if all these changes southwest will be just like any other airlines and people might just fly with someone else. All the things you are taking away everything that made Southwest what it is today. You keep changing everything Herb will be turning over in his grave. I pray I am wrong.
Redeye flights are a game-changer for us. We’ve always wanted to fly out on SW after a full day on the islands instead of wasting the whole day of vacation.
Maybe win some and lose some. I have loved Southwest’s free checked bags, but I’m worried these changes might come with more fees down the line for those, even if WiFi goes free. Those bags have far greater value.
Honolulu to Vegas three times a day seems excessive but I realize that’s their hub. Wish there were more direct flights to California cities instead.
Finally, assigned seats! I’ve avoided Southwest for years because of the boarding chaos. Looks like this is going to be pretty much across the board like the others now.
What will happen to all the special needs travelers? Southwest seems to have a lot of them.. with assigned seats will they still board first? Or will these special needs travelers reduce since they can’t hold seats for their relatives.
I for one I’m glad to see they will have reserved seating I don’t want the anxiety of having to try to find a decent seat even though I paid to get a better boarding position.. I used to still get B boarding even after paying on Hawaiian flights.
SWA will probably treat their special needs passengers like the rest of the major US carriers. They’ll be able to preboard & just proceed to their assigned seat.
The reduction in flights between islands is a big disappointment for me. It’s already tough to get decent interisland connections.
As a fact, OGG-HNL has the second most seats in the entire USA (just behind Atlanta to Orlando where Delta has connections to the Magic Kingdom). OAG (f/k/a “Official Airline Guides”) just published their busiest routes analysis. OGG-HNL is flown more now than in 2019. I’m always somewhat amused by folks worrying about frequency — there are plenty of flights and will continue to be so — the main worry should be the cost since Southwest and Alaska/Hawaiian could somewhat easily collude in raising prices in their duopoly of all Hawaiian inter-island travel.
Not a fan of these changes coming down the pike. I’ve always liked Southwest in part for keeping it simple and affordable. Looks like that’s out the window now.
Do you know yet how much assigned seats will cost extra? I’d hate to pay more just to sit with my kids. LOL.
All seats on all Southwest airlines flights will be assigned.