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Hawaii, Here we Come!

AdamDecaire
Employee
Employee

Today marks a huge milestone for Southwest Airlines: our very first flights to Hawaii are officially on sale! We’re thrilled to be able to bring our low fares and Southwest Hospitality to Hawaii! Visit Southwest.com/Hawaii to learn more about Southwest’s offerings for the Aloha State.

 

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We are in the business of connecting People to what is important in their lives, and it is no secret that Californians love Hawaii. To build on our strength in the Bay Area, Oakland will be our first gateway to the Hawaiian Islands.

 

  • Daily service will launch to Honolulu on March 17 with one roundtrip during the first week of service and an increase to two flights in each direction daily as of March 24.
  • The state capital was a natural first choice for service to Hawaii, and offers a wealth of attractions to interest a variety of Customers.
  • Next for Oakland is service to Kahului, Maui! We will begin with one roundtrip on April 7, and increase to two flights in each direction daily on April 10. There is so much to experience on the island of Maui, from the beautiful coral reefs to the Road to Hana. Just writing this makes us wish that we were already there!

 

Also in this schedule, we are excited to announce a second gateway to Hawaii: San Jose, California.

 

  • On May 5, we will begin daily nonstop service to Honolulu with one roundtrip.
  • A few weeks later on May 26, Silicon Valley Customers will have more options to Hawaii with the introduction of nonstop service to Kahului, Maui. One thing is for sure … it will be tough to decide between these two destinations when planning a vacation from San Jose!

 

Another exciting piece included in today's initial Hawaii schedule release is interisland flying. Since there are only two ferries that operate interisland services, flying is an integral part of travel between the islands and we’ve been hearing for years that locals want competitive pressure as a factor in their travel among the Islands.

 

  • On April 28, flights between Honolulu and Kahului, Maui take off four times daily in each direction.
  • Just a couple of weeks later, the growth continues when our third destination in Hawaii opens: Ellison Onizuka International Airport at Keahole. This airport is an easy gateway to beautiful beaches around Kona, Volcanoes National Park, and the entire western side of Hawaii Island.
  • Similar to the Honolulu – Kahului, Maui service, Kona will be served four times daily to Honolulu. Our Hawaii Customers will love these flights, and we are excited to be able to offer our world famous Southwest Hospitality on these routes crucial to the Hawaiian economy.

 

We know you may have questions regarding the availability of connecting itineraries, especially to cities further east from California. Connections will be more likely to generate on our high frequency routes to Oakland and San Jose, and could change based on the operating schedule. When developing these schedules, our primary focus was to offer the best possible timings for local Customers. As we continue to add service to Hawaii and increase some of our technical capabilities, we will only see more cities gain connections to the state.

 

Be sure to stay tuned over the coming weeks, as we have more flights to announce!

 

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33 Comments
bec102896
Aviator A

So Excited!

 

Planning my trip now!

dianne_Staller
Explorer B

We are so excited!!!!!! I got my 2 round trip tickets for April from Oakland to Maui for a grand total of $294.00.  My husband and I are so excited. We are going for our 10 year Wedding anniversary. I love Southwest airlines. 

henryinc
Explorer C

Just booked our tickets to Maui in September!

Great pices, but fares look like they're already starting to creep up.... It will be interesting to see where prices land long term. But for now it's a great deal!

Can't wait to get back to the islands!

cerra12
Explorer C

So will pets be allowed in the cabin on flights to/from Hawaii. We fly to Hawaii each year and only Alaska Airlines allows this. It would be nice to have Southwest as an alternative. 

irt9206
Explorer C

How long before flights can be booked from Providence RI to the Islands. 

harshvaria
Explorer C

It seems I am unable to book flights to hawaii from ohio. When will that option open up? Right now I have to book two flights one from Ohio to OAK and then a second from OAK to hawaii. 

MelanieGraham
Employee
Employee

Hi @cerra12, pets are not allowed to travel to/from Hawaii. However, we hope you're still able to join us for a future trip to/from Hawaii! 

MelanieGraham
Employee
Employee

Hi @irt9206, the initial gateway cities that will offer nonstop service to Hawaii are: 

  • Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
  • Oakland Metropolitan Airport (OAK)
  • Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
  • San Diego International Airport (SAN)

There are no current plans to offer service from Providence, RI or other locations. For more information about Hawaii, please visit Southwest.com/Hawaii/.

 

MelanieGraham
Employee
Employee

Hi @harshvaria, the initial gateway cities that will offer nonstop service to Hawaii are: 

  • Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
  • Oakland Metropolitan Airport (OAK)
  • Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
  • San Diego International Airport (SAN)

There are no current plans to offer service from Ohio or other locations. The option you found is your best way to get to/from Hawaii!

 

For more information about Hawaii, please visit Southwest.com/Hawaii/.

raclark888
Explorer C

So if people snatched up the cheap flights to get them before they sold out and then they decide they can't go and they cancel within the 24 hour free cancellation period, will those same cheap flights then become available again?

jocelynbiscocho
Explorer C

When will Southwest Airlines provide direct non-stop service from San Diego to Hawaii?  And when will ticket sales start?  We are going in June and would rather fly Southwest.  Will there be introductory/promo fares for direct flights from San DIego as well?

MelanieGraham
Employee
Employee

Hi @jocelynbiscocho, we’re thrilled to get our first phase of Hawaii service published and available for our Customers, including connecting itineraries for San Diego on day 1.

 
Expect our announcements for those additional cities like San Diego in the coming weeks. We know our fans—like YOU—and Customers alike are anxious to fly. So are we!
 
We’re more focused on how we serve Hawaii, not when. We’re excited to share more news soon!
 
For more information about Hawaii, please visit Southwest.com/Hawaii/.

 

SWAFlyer2
Explorer C

Very disapointed with SWA's rollout of Hawaii flights.  There are no more tickets available.  Wanted to use miles and have companion status - but no go.  I have all these miles and campanion status and they are worthless.  I will have to purchase tickets through other carrier.  Thanks SWA. 

Lovetotravel2
Explorer C

I tried to book tickets from all destination going to Hawaii and was searching from March to June for Anyday but there was nothing available at the price advertised for the promotion. Very disappointed that they tell you have to purchase by March 5 but within hours every thing is not available. Then advertised to travel by June 19th and there are tickets available but it's high 300s. Called customer service and they laugh at you and tells you to call customer relation knowing full well customer relation closed. Bad customer service! What did you do SW? Offer 10 seats at $49? Ridiculous. 

khalid_darwish
Explorer C

Hi, 

 

How about flights from CA to Kauai?  When will those be available?

 

Thanks

Fly619
Explorer C

Thank for the post Adam! My family is a long time SW fan and promoter!

 

Any way I can get an alert when we can book out of San Diego? 

bec102896
Aviator A

It looks like more tickets were just released I was able to grab HNL to LAS for $88 at 10:30pm. I see other dates that were sold out as available now 

Randall1963
Explorer C

Aloha I am interested in Working for Southwest as a ramp agent. Where do i start.  Mahalo

debmont
Explorer C

Im ready cant wait till November opens up. LOVE  SWA

urgrand
Explorer C

Similar experience to lovetotravel2: was on hold for 2 hours (requested an agent call back, never came). Then was laughed at and said the tickets at that price a long gone. Plenty of seats still available just at regular price (higher than competitors). I think a couple of tickets at promo price to get on cnn was all there was. ((

Bissaflies
Explorer C

Thank you Southwest! I was fortunate enough to get a flight to Oahu from Vegas (via Oakland). My daughter is stationed there in the military and I haven't seen her in over a year. You were my only option to be able to see her and afford it!

Forever grateful 🙏

calbred
Explorer C

When will service start to and from Sacramento? I cant book online or find anything in the flight schedule. Will there be daily service and approximately what time will departures be?

MelanieGraham
Employee
Employee

Hi @calbred, we’re thrilled to get our first phase of Hawaii service published and available for our Customers.

 
Expect our announcements for those additional cities like Sacramento in the coming weeks. We know our fans—like YOU—and Customers alike are anxious to fly. So are we!
 
We’re more focused on how we serve Hawaii, not when. We’re excited to share more news soon!
 
For more information about Hawaii, please visit Southwest.com/Hawaii/.
elijahbrantley
Aviator A

More on connections further east here.

mstar
Explorer C

I was excited to hear about Hawaii Flights. I put off buying tickets for a summer vacation until SW started offering. I found out about it in the morning but I was at work and couldn't book tickets. I got home that night.  Extremely disappointed at the ticket prices to the say the least.  For a flight in early June the cheapest tickets priced out $1200 more than other airlines for a family of 5. I ended up going with a competing airline with a nonstop flight (SW was 1 stop flight and much longer) for so much less. I guess it is nice that a handful of people got super cheap tickets, but when your regular tickets prices are so much higher and not even sure what to think anymore. 

lauralessio
Explorer C

When will service from SAN DIEGO to HONOLULU be available for purchase?  I'm going late April, but haven't bought tickets yet, will this route be available then?!

gdrj
Explorer C

Great News!  TWO QUESTIONS

- While I understand the West Coast "gateway cities" will grow, will there be an opportunity to book on one ticket a connecting flight from the East Coast in the future?  I'd rather have SWA figure out that a flight from DCA to OAK or SAC etc is best than for me to be the the TA.  

 

Also currently if booking a flight to West Coast with intention of connecting to Hawaii- will bags go straight through?

 

Mahalo

TJones79
Explorer C

How about expanding service to American Samoa.  A short flight south from Hawaii and greatly underserved by Hawaiian airlines.  There is no reason the people of American Samoa should pay $900 per adult to go to Hawaii (a 5hr flight away) but can travel to New Zealand for under $350.00 through Apia, Samoa.

JenTakesFlight
Explorer C

I've never been to Hawaii yet, so glad Southwest now has flights that will help make that trip possible!! Heart

janieellen
Explorer C

Love that SW is going to Hawaii - now if only I can find out when they will be opening bookings for either Oakland or Los Angeles to Kauaii. We have a trip planned mid October, and I don't want to miss the deals!

scottyg808
Explorer C

When is Southwest going to offer service from San Diego to Honolulu?

fireftr075
Explorer C

Is there any word on SAN-KOA? (San Diego to Kona).... trying to book for this summer and do not want to book somewhere else.

fireftr075
Explorer C

Is there any word on San-Koa start???