Imagine yourself in paradise surrounded by turquoise waters and golden sands, with palm trees swaying in the wind, and each island having its own story to tell. Traveling to Hawaii might seem easy, but choosing the right Hawaiian destination makes your trip truly unique.
That is where the right flight becomes important. Southwest Airlines flights to Hawaii currently connect travelers with five major Hawaiian airport destinations—Honolulu (HNL), Kahului (OGG), Kona (KOA), Hilo (ITO), and Lihue (LIH)—along with selected nonstop and inter-island services. But there is a little more to the story than simply choosing the lowest fare.
While the flight to Honolulu would bring you to Waikiki’s vibrant life, flights to Maui, Kauai, or Hawaii Island would mean a totally new holiday experience. It becomes necessary to discover which flight suits your travels, whether there is a non-stop option, and what will be included in the final price. This guide explores flights to Hawaii, Southwest Airlines, direct flights, Hawaiian airports, inter-island flights, prices, luggage, and other related information.
Why You Should Fly with Southwest Airlines to Hawaii
So, why do passengers prefer to fly Southwest Airlines for a trip to Hawaii? Does its Hawaiian route offer unique features that set it apart from other carriers? It will become clear as soon as we look at routes, inter-island flights, pricing options, and destinations in Hawaii.
A trip to Hawaii may require planning beyond just choosing which cities to depart from and arrive at. Each island offers totally unique experiences, and there is the Hawaii route network of Southwest Airlines that takes travelers to several popular destinations in the state. Yet, there is also an exciting possibility of flying between islands and starting the itinerary in Honolulu and continuing the journey to Maui, Kauai, or other Hawaiian islands.
Currently, Southwest Airlines includes Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Hilo, and Lihue among its Hawaii destinations. Southwest Airlines.
Several remarkable aspects about the route network:
- Flights to several major airports in Hawaii
- Certain nonstop flights to Hawaii from the mainland
- Inter-island flights
- Several different prices available
- Comparing flights and prices online
- Possibility of traveling to one or multiple islands
How to Book Southwest Airlines Flights to Hawaii
To make reservations for Southwest Airlines flights heading to Hawaii, you have to first input your departure city, destination in Hawaii, travel dates, and number of passengers. After looking at all possible options for the flight, choose a suitable flight that suits your itinerary and confirm the same after making the payment.
What to Expect on Southwest Airlines Flights to Hawaii
When reserving tickets for a Southwest Airlines flight, every person would be eager to find out what the travel experience will be like. Since the flight to Hawaii will last longer than usual, this information might come in handy.
Longer Flight, Different Experience
Depending on the point of departure, the flight to Hawaii can last for several hours. During the journey, travelers can expect onboard snacks and drinks, while entertainment options may vary depending on the aircraft.
Enjoy the Scenery on the Way
Apart from being a long one, the flight to Hawaii will be rich in sights because passengers can see the ocean, beaches, mountains, and other views characteristic of the Hawaiian landscape through the window.
A Few Things to Get Ready
Given that the flight is rather lengthy, it might be useful to ensure that a phone or tablet is charged, have some entertainment, and wear headphones. Besides, one needs to check the details of the flight beforehand.
Hawaiian Islands Served by Southwest Airlines
Below is a list of five principal Hawaiian airports currently served by Southwest Airlines flights to Hawaii: Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Hilo, and Lihue. These airports are located on four islands of Hawaii and offer a convenient selection of destinations, depending on location and the nature of the trip.
| Hawaiian Destination | Airport | Code | Popular for |
| Oahu | Honolulu International Airport | HNL | Beaches, shopping, city attractions |
| Maui | Kahului Airport | OGG | Beaches, scenery, outdoor activities |
| Island of Hawaii | Kona International Airport | KOA | Resorts, beaches, nature |
| Island of Hawaii | Hilo International Airport | ITO | Waterfalls, gardens, natural scenery |
| kauai | Lihue Airport | LIH | Hiking, beaches, lush landscapes |
Note: The airport of Honolulu is situated on Oahu island; the airport of Kahului is located on Maui; the airports of Kona and Hilo are on the Island of Hawaii; and the airport of Lihue is on Kauai.
Choosing an Airport close to the main vacation area can also make transportation easier after landing and save travel time during the trip.
Southwest Airlines’ Hawaii Flights: Route Network and Airports
Southwest Airlines provides direct flights to Hawaii from many mainland cities to key destinations in Hawaii. Travelers looking for flights to Hawaii Southwest Airlines can find routes from cities across California, Arizona, and Nevada, with service to Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, and Kauai.
The choice of arrival airport varies by departing city. Different cities offer flights to a number of Hawaiian destinations, while others offer fewer. The following table highlights the most important flights to Hawaii southwest airlines and their connections.
| Departure City | Arrival City |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu |
| Kahului (OGG) on Maui | |
| Kona (KOA) on Hawaii Island | |
| Lihue (LIH) on Kauai | |
| Long Beach (LGB) | Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu |
| Kahului (OGG) on Maui | |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu |
| Kahului (OGG) on Maui | |
| Kona (KOA) on Hawaii Island | |
| Lihue (LIH) on Kauai | |
| Oakland (OAK) | Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu |
| Kahului (OGG) on Maui | |
| Kona (KOA) on Hawaii Island | |
| Lihue (LIH) on Kauai | |
| Phoenix (PHX) | Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu |
| Kahului (OGG) on Maui | |
| Kona (KOA) on Hawaii Island | |
| Lihue (LIH) on Kauai | |
| Sacramento (SMF) | Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu |
| Kahului (OGG) on Maui | |
| San Diego (SAN) | Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu |
| Kahului (OGG) on Maui | |
| Kona (KOA) on Hawaii Island | |
| Lihue (LIH) on Kauai | |
| San Jose (SJC) | Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu |
| Kahului (OGG) on Maui | |
| Kona (KOA) on Hawaii Island | |
| Lihue (LIH) on Kauai |
Southwest Airlines Direct Flight to Hawaii
Southwest Airlines flights to Hawaii are available from selected mainland cities, giving travelers the option to reach Hawaii without a connection. Available routes vary by departure city, Hawaiian destination, and travel date.
| Departure City | Direct Hawaii Destinations |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Lihue |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Lihue |
| Oakland (OAK) | Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Lihue |
| Phoenix (PHX) | Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Lihue |
| Sacramento (SMF) | Honolulu, Kahului |
| San Diego (SAN) | Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Lihue |
| San Jose (SJC) | Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Lihue |
| Long Beach (LGB) | Honolulu, Kahului |
Note: Direct flights by Southwest Airlines to Hawaii may vary depending on the season, route, and date of travel. Passengers are advised to confirm the current flight schedule before choosing any direct flight.
Interisland Service from Southwest at present
Hawaii consists of many islands, and flying from one island to another is a wonderful way of seeing more than one destination on the same journey. Southwest Airlines provides interisland flights to Hawaii from various airports across the Hawaiian islands, including Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Hilo, and Lihue.
This allows one to travel from Oahu, Maui, the Island of Hawaii, and Kauai to one another without having to go back to the mainland. The following are the interisland flights available:
| Departure City | Arrival City |
| Hilo (ITO) on Hawaii Island | Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu |
| Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu | Hilo (ITO) on Hawaii Island |
| Kahului (OGG) on Maui | Kona (KOA) on Hawaii Island |
| Kahului (OGG) on Maui | Lihue (LIH) on Kauai |
| Kahului (OGG) on Maui | Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu |
| Kona (KOA) on Hawaii Island | Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu |
| Kona (KOA) on Hawaii Island | Kahului (OGG) on Maui |
| Lihue (LIH) on Kauai | Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu |
Tips to find Affordable Southwest Airlines Flights to Hawaii
Looking for an affordable flight on Southwest Airlines to Hawaii involves not only finding the cheapest fare displayed in the search results but also considering such factors as dates of travel, point of departure, the chosen Hawaiian destination, and the number of available seats. Comparison of several offers may help to locate a cheaper flight option.
1. Find several departure and return dates: The prices may differ from one day to another. It may help to search dates before or after your expected trip and compare them.
2. Compare weekdays and weekends: Weekdays and weekends may offer different fares depending on the demand. Thus, it would be better to compare both options and find the most reasonable prices.
3. Find several Hawaiian airports to depart from and arrive at: If the itinerary is not strict, it may be possible to search for some options such as Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Hilo, Lihue, and others. Each of them may offer different prices.
4. Compare non-stop and connecting flights: A direct flight will save time; however, sometimes it may be beneficial to search for connecting flights due to different schedules or prices.
5. Calculate your total cost of travel: The ticket cost is only one element of your cost of travel. You also need to calculate other factors such as baggage costs, fare terms, and travel costs.
Pros and Cons of Flying to Hawaii by Southwest Airlines
While planning your trip by Southwest Airlines to Hawaii, you should take into account the strengths and weaknesses of the company. Southwest Airlines can provide you with numerous Hawaii destinations, nonstop routes, and inter-island flights. Fare rules and in-flight services may differ.
Pros of Flying to Hawaii by Southwest Airlines
Here are some advantages you may benefit from while traveling by Southwest Airlines to Hawaii. You can travel to many Hawaiian destinations on nonstop routes. The Rapid Rewards Program lets you earn and use points.
| Pros | Details |
| Multiple Hawaii destinations | Service is available to several major Hawaiian airports. |
| Rapid Rewards | Eligible travelers can earn and redeem points. |
| Selected nonstop routes | Some mainland cities have nonstop Hawaii service. |
| Inter-island flights | Selected routes connect major Hawaiian airports. |
| Different fare options | Travelers can compare available fare choices. |
Cons of Flying Southwest Airlines to Hawaii
There are a few things to consider when deciding whether to fly Southwest Airlines to Hawaii. Fewer premium cabin options are available. Food and electricity access may also vary.
| Cons | Details |
| Limited premium options | Traditional first-class service is not available. |
| Limited meal service | Standard flights do not generally include full meal service. |
| Route availability varies | Not every mainland city offers nonstop Hawaii service. |
| Baggage fees may apply | Charges depend on fare and traveler eligibility. |
| Power availability varies | In-seat power depends on the aircraft. |
How to Earn Enough Southwest Points to Fly to Hawaii
Southwest Rapid Rewards points may be redeemed for any eligible Southwest flights, even flights to Hawaii. Depending on the specific route, travel date, fare, and availability, the amount of points required may differ for each booking.
The ways of earning Rapid Rewards points are as follows:
- Flying on Southwest Airlines: Points earned on eligible Southwest flights.
- Using a Rapid Rewards credit card: Points earned via eligible purchases.
- Earning welcome bonus points: Points earned through some eligible card offers that meet their conditions.
- Using referral offers: Points earned from referral offers of eligible members.
- Staying at eligible hotel partners: Points earned via eligible hotel stays.
- Rental car: Additional points earned through some eligible rental-car partners.
- Dining: Points earned via eligible dining purchases.
- Shopping: Points earned via eligible shopping purchases.
- Eligible vacation packages: Points earned from Southwest vacation packages.
- Cash + Points: Using points and cash together for eligible bookings where the points balance is not enough for the full cost of the booking.
Final Thought
Southwest Airlines flights to Hawaii make it easy for vacationers to get to the most sought-after locations in Hawaii through direct flights and inter-island flights. Be it flights to Hawaii by Southwest Airlines, a flight to Hawaii by Southwest Airlines, or Southwest Airlines’ direct flights to Hawaii; vacationers can check out the different available flights for their destination and time.
Commonly Asked Queries
Southwest Airlines provides service to Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island through airports in Honolulu, Kahului, Lihue, Kona, and Hilo.
Some cities that offer flights to Hawaii with Southwest Airlines are Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, and Long Beach.
Mostly, the flights by Southwest Airlines to Hawaii involve 737 aircraft, which include 737 MAX models that are overwater capable.
No, Southwest doesn’t have a first-class cabin in their flights to Hawaii. Passengers will be flying in Southwest’s regular economy cabin, and there are various classes of seating available.
Yes, some nonstop flights to Hawaii are offered by Southwest Airlines. It depends on the departure and destination location as well as the date of travel.
Yes, there are direct flights to Hawaii offered by Southwest Airlines. The selection depends upon the city of departure and the Hawaiian destination chosen.