Southwest Airlines is preparing to launch service to Hawai’i, with plans to offer tickets for its inaugural flights in 2018.
The carrier must complete a detailed Federal Aviation Administration application for extended operations in order to operate scheduled flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawai’i. Southwest, based in Dallas, has not announced specific routes or schedules yet; those details will be released later. Andrew Watterson, Southwest’s executive vice president and chief revenue officer, told the Los Angeles Times that FAA approval could take up to a year or two. He indicated the airline will likely focus many of its routes from California to Kaua’i, Honolulu and the island of Hawai’i.
“Hawai’i is an important place for Southwest Airlines because so many people count on us to take them everywhere they want to go reliably and affordably,” said Gary Kelly, chairman and CEO of Southwest. “We’re ready and excited to address a request we’ve heard for years.”
Southwest president Tom Nealon called the upcoming service “a game-changer in the U.S.-to-Hawai’i market” during an announcement at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. The introduction of Southwest’s typically low fares is expected to increase competition and could help lower ticket prices for travel to Hawai’i.
Adding Hawai’i to Southwest’s network would expand the airline’s reach across the Pacific and provide travelers with more options and potentially more frequent service. While the carrier works through regulatory approvals and final route planning, passengers and travel industry observers can expect further updates on routes, schedules and fares as the airline finalizes its plans.
The move reflects growing demand for direct, affordable air service between the West Coast and the Hawaiian Islands. If approved and launched as anticipated, Southwest’s entry into the market could have a significant impact on travel patterns, pricing and capacity for flights to and from Hawai’i.