Southwest Could Soon Expand Service to Hawaii
Update 5/13/21: These routes are now bookable in June starting at $129. You should be able to use the Southwest change trick to get cheap flights too.
Phoenix
- Honolulu, Non stop twice daily, starting June 27th
- Kahiliu, once daily, starting June 27th
- Kona, once daily, starting Sept 7th
- Lihue, once daily, starting Sept 7th
Los Angeles
- Honolulu, Non stop once daily, starting June 6th (twice daily starting June 27th)
- Kahiliu, three times daily, starting June 6th
- Kona, once daily, starting June 27th
- Lihue, once daily, starting June 27th
Las Vegas
- Honolulu, Non stop twice daily, starting June 6th
- Kahiliu, twice daily, starting June 27th
- Kona, once daily, starting Sept 7th
- Lihue, once daily, starting Sept 8th
Checking out the Southwest website for flights to Hawaii might feel normal nowadays, but the airline has only been flying to the popular vacation destination for just over two years. Hawaii had been underserviced by low-cost carriers until then, so Southwest’s entry into the market helped with cheaper options.
Since Southwest launched flight to Hawaii, it’s been two difficult years for the airline. First was the Boing 737 MAX issue in 2019, with planes grounded for a long time. Then came the pandemic in 2020. But now, 737 MAX planes are flying again and travel demand is spiking.
As more people are looking for leisure travel, Southwest Airlines is reportedly planning to launch several new flights to Hawaii as early as next month. The rumor was first reported by Points, Miles & Martinis, and a public announcement is expected in the coming days.
The new routes will be out of Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix. Los Angeles is expected to get service to four Hawaii airports; Honolulu, Maui, Kona, and Kauai. Phoenix and Las Vegas will be launching service to Honolulu and Maui to start.
New Routes
- Los Angeles International Airport – LAX
- Honolulu
- Maui
- Kona
- Kauai
- McCarran International Airport – LAS
- Honolulu
- Maui
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport – PHX
- Honolulu
- Maui
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Does the southwest trick also applies to using points to purchase?
About time! re: LAS. Hawaiian Air has been raping the locals for years being the only non-stop service to LAS. current example – the LOWEST price I see to LAS in the next 2 months is $660 and that’s a rarity. I see >$800 fares easily (add in the extra comfort seat and they are >$1000! rt) Insane, you can fly rt to Japan for a few hundred cheaper on JAL or ANA with a FFAAAAAR superior flight. What’s taken WN so long for the LAS route? That’s the number one gravy train route (if non stop) in all travel HI to Vegas.
Although I would dread to be seated in a raucous 3×3 to Hawai’i, the big positive with a market expansion is that prices might go lower for most fares.
I say “might” because Hawai’i is a leisure market and airlines will keep most segments priced high year-round. If Southwest can be a market disrupter, then thank you Southwest.