Today the airline released more news about Southwest Hawaii plans. CEO Gary Kelly specifically addressed Hawaii with the following statement. “More service is planned for the previously announced gateways of San Diego and Sacramento, and for Lihue on Kauai. We are very pleased with our Hawaii performance, thus far, and expect Hawaii to be the key expansion focus in 2019 and 2020.
Missing from his statement was any information about when the next long-awaited flights will be announced. We are receiving questions about this on a daily basis, and whether summer service will still be upcoming. Interesting too is that 2020 was just added to their Hawaii expansion focus speak. Previously Kelly had said “Hawaii remains our expansion focus for 2019. ” Reading that carefully, we take it to mean that 2019’s one year plans have, out of necessity, become a two year rollout, spread out until 2020, with a slower rollout indicated.
Last week we mentioned that grounding of their Max 8 planes impacted Southwest Hawaii plans, since planes destined for more Hawaii flights are needed on the mainland. At this point the company is keeping Max planes off-schedule at least until August 5. That delay is being extended on a rolling 30 day basis until such time as planes can return to service. No one knows when that return might occur, but Reuters said this week (based on unnamed sources), that Boeing is hoping to have the planes back in the air sometime in July.
Last week a possible delay in additional Southwest Hawaii flights was first indicated. “Depending on when the Max returns, we’ll be introducing service from San Jose, Sacramento and San Diego.” SWA senior adviser Brad Hawkins added (as we had been told) that the Max grounding does not affect Hawaii flights, while at the same time saying “but it does affect the airline and how we sequence service adds.”
Following the Max grounding, we were told additional routes would be announced by the end of April, now less than a week away. Today’s and last week’s comments, however, seem to clearly put those announcements at risk. While SWA Hawaii plans are unchanged, when they will be flying additional routes appears less certain.
We also don’t know whether Southwest might announce the next routes with fewer flights and fewer non-stops, at least while the Max is out of service. If they take that approach, Lihue might be an extension of Maui or Honolulu flights instead of nonstop at the beginning, in the same way that Kona flights are currently extensions and not non-stops.
Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Denver flight additions look to possibly be more prolonged as well.
We’re all awaiting more Southwest Hawaii deals and news. Stand by.
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Updated 4/25/19.
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Personally I would not wait on Southwest to release new flights from future West Coast locations or to new Islands. If you find a flight that fits your needs and budget go for it.
With the uncertainity of the time frame on Max 8 being air worthy I wouldn’t wait for a miraculous price.
They recently reported $150 Million in lost revenue. Almost 9% of their seats are lost with the grounding, reducing their capacity. I would think prior to expanding into new markets 1st thing they will do is get back up to capacity on their existing schedules and add back in the flights they have reduced and cancelled. This is pure speculation, but if SWA can have a plane probably make 5 flights in a day or more (not uncommon) and probably generate more revenue quicker that where they will invest their equipment. Stockholders will want sales and revenue growth.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/southwest-airlines-boeing-737-max-costs-51553696728
Thanks for the update! Do you know when SWA will release booking for December flights to Hawaii?
Hi Krista.
That will happen on 5/23.
Aloha.
We have booked flights from San Jose to Honolulu and then return to San Jose from Maui at the end of August, will the Max 8 grounding affect our already booked flights?? please and thank you for any response 🙂
Hi Kylee.
No, not at all.
Aloha.
I was just wondering if you have any plans to fly from Seattle Washington to Oahu? Thank you in advance
Hi James.
SWA will not be flying from Pacific Northwest to Hawaii.
Aloha.
Please, please, please make flights available from Lihue to Orange County (Disneyland). Do you predict more flights out of Lihue RT?
Hi Marleen.
Orange County is not happening, period. You’ll need to choose from one of the other airports. Long Beach is closest, but San Diego and LAX has Nonstop flights.
Aloha.
I’m hoping this all gets straightened out soon. We were hoping for Las Vegas to Maui in time for our February trip.
Thank you for all the updates! We are travelling to Maui in August and we were hoping to see Southwest inter-island flights to Kauai. I see in your update that Lihue might be an extension of Maui or Honolulu flights instead of nonstop, from other destinations. So in terms of inter-island flights between Maui and Kauai, the number of flights might potentially be limited? Do you think we may still get a further updates on inter-island flights by the end of April? Thank you!
Hi Dana.
Good question, but we have no answers at this point. We’ll update as soon as possible.
Aloha.
Even though there isn’t much real info in this latest SWA statement, we appreciate the update. Our family’s still holding out hope to see the SMF rollout before the end of the year!
Hello! Love all the information you share on FB and emails. We are hoping to visit Oahu later this year using Southwest but am worried about flying on the MAX planes. Do you know if Southwest is or will be using the MAX planes for Hawaii service to and from the mainland? Thank you so much!
Hi Al.
Yes they intend to use Max planes to Hawaii. At present they’re only using 737-800, but that will check. Don’t know just when.
Aloha.
Aloha!
I have been ever so patiently waiting for Sacramento to Kona direct flights to open up for Southwest for this summer…either June or July, our dates are flexible. Should I keep holding out, or grab the RT flights offered by Alaska right now for just over $500 per person RT? I am wondering if the Southwest flights will be a much better deal than that, and worth the wait, or even if they will open up at all now with the new delays announced last week. 🙁
Mahalo in advance of any advice you can share!
Sylvia
Hi Sylvia.
First $500 is a very good price for summer. To think that SW would open summer with $99 fares isn’t realistic. That was probably the original plan when flights were going to start before the peak summer period. Beyond that we’re waiting for news and will share it as soon as possible.
Aloha.
Thank you so much for the fast reply! We are going ahead and booking our $500 RT flights on Alaska Air and taking advantage of that deal since it sounds like things are uncertain for more summer Southwest flights opening up here in Sac. I appreciate your keeping us up to date daily with news as it happens, and it has helped in my summer vacation planning so much!
Mahalo! 🙂
Hi Sylvia.
Thanks for letting us know and for your kind words. Much appreciated!
Aloha.
Hi:
I have a trip planned from 7/27 – 8/3 from Sacramento to Lihue. Normally, we fly out of Oakland.
We’ve been holding out for additional southwest flights… Would you keep holding out, or try to grab the cheapest tickets now?
Thanks!
Hi Andrew.
Isn’t that the million dollar question. Hard to say at this point what they are going to do. If they are able to do what they had said, flights should be announced in the next week. So at this point you might just wait and see.
Aloha.
Last nite I checked the seat availability on the competitors and found they are near capacity. If SWA does not start service to Kauai for mid July 2019 forward,many of us will not have a ride in that period. I booked a decent fare for 2 people, with seat assignments… At this time I could only afford the non refundable tickets.
We were waiting as well but can’t wait any longer. Booked with Hawaiian Airlines yesterday. Got tired of waiting for Southwest. Unfortunate, but gotta move on.
Hi, thanks for all the updates. Appreciated. I read between the lines and forged our own path to LIH. It doesn’t include Southwest. Early morning Monday 4/22 husband was looking at Flipboard and saw an article from Thrillist talking about a Hawaii fare sale on three airlines. Using Google flights, in a matter of minutes, I was able to snag two round trip tickets inn alaskan for $655. The catch? They don’t go to LIH. They go to OGG! No problem. I used some Hawaiian miles for inter island transfers to and from LIH. So, bottom line in light of SWA issues, we have to get creative. I would have much preferred to fly SWA but a buck is a buck.
Hi Neely.
Yes it’s a game, and we, like you, are always trying to figure the best flights at the lowest cost and with the most comfort and convenience. Sounds like you’re happy and set.
Aloha.
We appreciate all of your great helpful info as well. We look forward to the newsletter each time. My question is this. Is there any reason to be concerned about our scheduled flight to Kona via Honolulu at the end of September on Southwest.
Thank you.
Hi Rich.
Thank you. We wouldn’t be concerned. What specifically is the issue troubling you?
Aloha.
Thanks, Just the availability of enough Southwest airplanes. The concern was regarding any possibility of a cancellation.
Hi Rich.
Thanks for clarifying. We definitely do not anticipate any cancellation of existing flights, but rather possible postponement of new flight announcements.
Aloha.
Thank you very much!
Mahalo! Mahalo! Mahalo! You are absolutely the best source for Hawaii travel, and I don’t mean just the cost of airfare. Our family has been so fortunate to travel to Hawaii multiple times, and we completely trust your reports on background, updates, and judgment calls on the world of air travel to beautiful Hawaii.
Dorothy from Los Angeles
Hi Dorothy.
Thanks so much! You’re comment is up there with Arthur Frommer’s (“if you’re a fan of the Hawaiian Islands, rush quick to Beat of Hawaii”) in terms of our all time favorite.
Aloha.
Could you give me your best guess on RT fares from Oakland to Maui around the middle of July? I realize the uncertainty of the SouthWest situation may impact your answer.
Thanks!
David
Hi David.
Probably just under $500 is the right target. There are a few of those already and more might be added.
Aloha.
Thanks so much for your prediction. You are the only website that we can rely on for a factual answer. Keep up the good work!
Aloha,
David
Hi David.
Thank you!
Aloha.
Appreciate all of these updates! I see you guys are wonderful at answering questions so I’ve got a tough one you may be able to help with..
The fiancé and I are planning a budget-friendly trip to Hawaii for our honeymoon in October! We’re in Sacramento so we have been waiting in hopes Southwest not only announces their expansion to Hawaii from Sac, but for also a sort of good sale when they finally do. However all this holding out has been making us nervous…especially since we aren’t “married” to going out of Sac, it would just be most convenient especially if it happened to be an excellent deal. SO my question is do you happen to know which airport from my area (SFO, Oakland, San Jose, or Sacramento) tends to be cheapest overall to fly to Hawaii, regardless of airline? And to which island tends to be least expensive? (I’m hoping for Honolulu). I know that’s a loaded question but I figured it doesn’t hurt to pick your brain(s). Basically we’re looking to fly out of almost any nearby airport to any island..just looking for the cheapest deal to get us there! Thanks!
Hi Kirsten.
Thank you and we’re happy to help. It is extremely likely that Southwest from Sacramento for fall will work out and that there will be sales in that time period. Not sure about the price point to hit, but let’s say under $300 RT and perhaps as little as low $200’s. Otherwise, Oakland and San Jose switch off being the cheapest. Maui is the going to be best priced, but Honolulu should be much more if at all. Let us know how it works out for you. Congratulations!
Aloha.
Thank you for your helpful information. Even with the promise of SW flights to Kauai opening up, Your updates helped me decide not to wait. We booked our flights for the last of May on Alaska Airlines some time back. Also, thank you for the info about the road to Kee Beach. That has helped us in our plans!
Hi Dean.
Thank you. Enjoy your time on here on Kauai!
Aloha.
Hi just wondering what was said about the road to Kee Beach? we will be traveling to Kauai in October.
thanks
Hi Lanaya.
It will be open and parking by advance reservation will be possible. More info on all that coming soon.
Aloha.
great info, thanks for the update! I’ll have to send some of our readers your way.
Thank you for all of the updates! I always look forward to reading your emails.
We have a trip booked for Maui in May on SWA.
One of your readers commented (about a week or so ago) that the planes they are currently using are the “wrong type of plane and it was only a matter of time before it would be realized”. Do you know possibly what that comment was referring to ? Are SWA pilots experienced & trained enough fly that long over the Pacific since they have never done so until now? I know that sounds like a dumb question but my confidence in the FAA isn’t that great at the moment after all of the news coverage on the Max 8. I also read somewhere that SWA pilots had to be trained “quickly” after the FAA certified SWA. His comment made me feel uneasy.
Doesn’t Alaska Airlines use the same type of plane that SW was using??
Just curious to know what your thoughts are on that comment and any comments you may have heard from your readers that have been on the SWA flights to Hawaii.
Thank you in advance for any insight you have.
Hi Wendy.
We would fly on Southwest without hesitation. Having said that, airline choice is a personal matter. Southwest certainly has tons of flight experience from short to long flights. They don’t normally “pull over” on the mainland due to problems. 🙂 We also know pilots who work for Southwest, Delta and others, and they are uniformly experienced and professional.
As for comments regarding Southwest and other airlines on Beat of Hawaii. We receive comments that are from people who we strongly suspect have a financial stake in this situation. We aren’t speaking about any commentor in particular, but this is something that we’ve become aware of over the years. Too much money at stake and we have a large and engaged viewership.
Hope that helps.
Aloha.
Thank you so much for your reply about my concerns – y’all are awesome!
Wendy
Hi Wendy.
You’re most welcome Glad it helped!
Aloha.
Appreciate the update. I need to go one way from Maui to San Diego the first week of September. Right now the prices on Hawaiian are $223 each. Google flights say this is high although Hawaiian say they are having a sale right now. It will be our first time in Hawaii so I’m sure what’s normal for that time of year. Do you think I should hold out for the next Southwest announcement? Is $223 one way a good or bad price in your opinion. Thanks in advance for your opinion.
Hi Samanta.
That’s an okay price but not great. Should be better by up to $100 or more each way if you can wait a bit.
Aloha.
Thanks so much. I will hold out.
Hi Jeffrey – Since there is no risk booking a flight and changing it on Southwest for free (YAY! – no change fees) I would suggest booking your flight now if there is a good price from HNL to SJC or Oakland. I booked to Kona and Maui from SNA via SJC and Oakland with the hopes of getting a better price and direct flight from San Diego if it opens up before we fly in October. At least this way I make sure I have a ticket there and back if the flights I want do open up in time or at a good price.
Interested in routes and prices to Hawaii from San Diego.
We live in Savannah Georgia and I’ve seen the best flights to Hawaii in June are going to be from California at some point so we are waiting to see what the prices will drop to before June and then take a flight from Savannah to California but we are waiting to see if prices will go lower.
Okay, I know you can’t predict the future, but as a best guess – I’m looking for tickets back from Honolulu to Northern CA in late June (I managed to score one way SJC to HNL tickets last month for $139 each, yay!) and am getting nervous watching prices go up slowly. Do I book HNL to Oakland or San Jose now, or keep waiting for the Sacramento announcement? Thoughts based on your experience?
Thank you for the update! I’m currently waiting for an update in hopes of getting an inter island flight from HNL to Lihue for an 20th wedding anniversary trip in August or even a return flight from LIH to somewhere in California then home to Phoenix. Currently we have flights booked to HNL both ways on Southwest but have a timeshare booked for the last half of our trip to Kauai & would love to not have to fly back to HNL but Hawaiian only offers round-trip inter island flights! Any thoughts or advice! Thank you in advance 🙂
Hi Jenn.
Hawaiian sells inter-island as one way. No problem there. Just be sure to select that option. Can’t say about Lihue, but likely there will be flights to Oakland and more. We should know about that soon.
Aloha.