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Southwest Airlines has recently announced they will begin flying to Hawaii. In the very near future, you can begin flying Southwest Airlines to Hawaii! While you can’t buy tickets yet, here’s are a few things you need to know about Southwest’s newest destination, Hawaii.
Tickets Go On Sale in 2018
Southwest intends to begin selling tickets from California to Hawaii in 2018. Details of the exact flight schedules, airports, and ticket prices are still being finalized and will be announced at a later date. As CEO Gary Kelly mentioned in the official press release, “it’s a matter of when, and not if we serve Hawaii.”
It’s official, the next time you hop on a plane to Hawaii, it could very well be a jet operated by Southwest Airlines.
Southwest Will Have A Dedicated Fleet of Jets to Serve Hawaii
In order to begin offering nonstop service from California to Hawaii, Southwest needs to upgrade their airline fleet.
This will be a two-step phase. For the initial flights, Southwest will use their ETOPS-equipped -800 fleet once they receive FAA certification for Extended Operations long-haul flights. Ultimately, Southwest will serve Hawaii entirely with the Boeing 737 MAX.
With the Boeing MAX fleet, Southwest is planning a multi-market offering between multiple U.S. west coast cities and the various Hawaiian Islands.
Southwest doesn’t offer a business or first class seat, so those wanting luxury will still have to book Hawaii flights through United, Alaska, Delta, and American airlines.
How to Book You Award Flight on Southwest Airlines to Hawaii
Once tickets are finally available for purchase in 2018, what better way to fly to the tropical paradise than for free! To help accrue your points balance, you have two different rewards cards options.
Southwest Airlines Cards
Southwest offers two co-branded credit cards (Plus and Premier) through Chase. The Southwest credit cards can be a valuable tool for three reasons:
- Earn 2 miles per $1 on all Southwest flights and Rapid Rewards travel partner purchases
- All purchase awards count toward the Southwest Companion Pass®
- The sign-up bonus points also qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass
If you are within reach of acquiring the Southwest Companion Pass®, the Hawaii route can be a very valuable route. The Companion Pass lets your travel companion virtually fly for free. All you have to pay is the applicable taxes and fees. For domestic flights, that only $5.60 each way. Theoretically, you can get the second seat for only $11 when you fly to Hawaii on Southwest.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
By owning the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can also transfer your rewards points to Southwest on a 1:1 basis as they are one of the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel partners.
Summary on Southwest Flying to Hawaii
If you have been wanting to fly to Hawaii, you will have a brand new option in the upcoming year. While Southwest hasn’t released the specifics about when service to Hawaii will start or which airports will handle the new routes, we do know that tickets will go on sale in 2018 and it’s never too early to begin planning for your next trip.
Aloha!
