11 Things to Know About Southwest Hawaii Flights [2021]

If you’re planning a Hawaiian vacation on the airline anytime soon and want to fly Southwest, there are some things you should know about Southwest Hawaii flights.

And we’ve compiled a list to get you up to speed in no time!

 

 

Want to learn how your family can easily fly free to Hawaii and so many more places in the U.S., Caribbean and Europe? Become a member of my Families Fly Free program to get a custom plan for your family, using my simple proprietary travel-free process, so you can making flying free a lifestyle that you put on autopilot. Learn more below…

 

11 Things You Need to Know About Southwest Hawaii Flights

 

1. Southwest Flies to 5 Hawaiian Airports

You can currently fly to 4 Hawaiian destinations on Southwest from the mainland, though a negative COVID test within 72 hours of your departure time is required upon arrival…

• Honolulu – Oahu (HNL)
• Lihue – Kauai (LIH) 
• Kahului – Maui (OGG)
• Kona – Island of Hawaii (KOA) – Second negative test required after arrival; otherwise, you’ll have to quarantine

Interisland flights are also available to all airports listed above as well as:

• Hilo – Island of Hawaii (ITO)

 

2. Fly Nonstop From 5 West Coast Airports

You can fly nonstop to Hawaii from 5 airports in California.

These include…

• Oakland
• San Jose
• San Diego
• Sacramento 
• Long Beach

You can also get some great deals out of Las Vegas and LAX, though you will have to stop at one of the above California cities along the way. 

 

3. Nonstop Southwest Hawaii Flights Are About 5-5 1/2 Hours Long

To fly to Hawaii from the West Coast, you’re looking at about 5 hours and 40 minutes, according to the Southwest website.

It’ll be slightly shorter, just less than 5 hours, coming back thanks to tailwinds.

After flying there in February 2020 and April 2021, we can confirm the flight times!

 

4. Fly Southwest to Hawaii From Most Other Cities, Stopping on the West Coast

You can also book Southwest Hawaii flights from most of the airline’s other destinations, but you’ll be stopping in California on the way there.

There’s also a bit of a hiccup if you’re flying to or from the East coast.

You will likely need to separately book your flights to the California city and then from the California city on to Hawaii.

This is because, especially returning, because of the time difference, you may not be able to get back to the East Coast before day’s end, and Southwest does not fly “red eye”/overnight flights.

This requires you to stay the night in your Cali city and then book a separate flight on to your home destination the next day.

Lyn’s family chose to stay a night in San Diego (one of her favorite places!) both going and coming, while Cami opted for a stay in San Jose on her returning flight.

So make sure you factor in some extra time for this one-night layover!

 

5. Fares for Southwest Hawaii Flights Started at $49 or 1,950 Points Per Way!

Amazingly, fares originally started from the West Coast as low as $49 per way — to Hawaii!! CRAZY!!

The cheapest you are likely to find currently are around $99 (~5,000 points per way), though using one of her “hacks” she shares with Families Fly Free members, Lyn was able to score $49 per way flights from San Diego to Maui.

 

6. Use Your Southwest Companion Pass and Bring Someone FREE

If you are blessed to hold the Southwest Companion Pass, you can bring someone to Hawaii with you FREE.

You’ll only pay the mandatory security fees of $5.60 per person per way.

Oh, and you can bring them ANYWHERE you fly on Southwest for however long you hold the pass (up to 2 years!), not just on this one trip…

Can you imagine paying less than $200 roundtrip for 2 people to fly to Hawaii or better yet, only 5,000 points at the typically lowest prices?

Lyn could sneeze and earn 5,000 Southwest points!!

 

7. Interisland Southwest Hawaii Flights Start at $29 Per Way

Southwest now flies from:

• Honolulu to Lihue – Kauai (LIH)
• Kahului – Maui (OGG)
• Kona – Island of Hawaii (KOA) and Hilo – Island of Hawaii (ITO)
• Maui to Honolulu and Kona
• Kauai (Lihue) to Honolulu
• Kona to Maui and Honolulu
• Hilo to Honolulu

Fares are sometimes as low as $29 per way, but are usually closer to $39-$49 per way, especially during a Southwest sale.

Flights between islands take between 20 to 60 minutes.

Lyn can attest that flying between Oahu and Maui is a short 20-minute flight!

Note: You will need to produce a negative COVID-19 test before arriving at a new Hawaiian island within 72 hours of your departure time TO that island.

 

8. Get a Bigger Snack on Your Southwest Hawaii Flights

The airline serves flyers Hawaiian Islands-inspired drinks and snacks on Southwest Hawaii flights, including “a snack bag full of tasty goodies.”

Sip on a free Minute Maid Pineapple Orange Juice Blend, or you can choose from alcoholic drinks (during non-pandemic times) like:

• Kona Longboard Island Lager
• Blue Chair Bay Coconut Spiced Rum

Note: Due to the pandemic, they are currently only serving Coke, Diet Coke, water and 7-Up as drinks. No alcoholic beverages are available right now.

Did you know there are ways to get free Southwest drink coupons for alcoholic drinks?

Though they aren’t accepting them right now, we’re sure they’ll take expired coupons once they do start serving alcoholic drinks again.

Here’s how!

 

9. You’ll Fly a 737-800 With 32 Inches Legroom

Southwest says they are an industry leader with 32 inches of legroom.

So far, you’ll be flying the 737-800 on Southwest to Hawaii.

Now that the MAX 8 aircraft has returned to the air, the airline may also use this aircraft to fly to Hawaii.

Here’s how to know if you’re scheduled to fly a MAX 8.

 

10. Sorry, But Your Dog (or Cat!) Can’t Fly to Hawaii With You

Southwest says that they don’t transport pets to and from Hawaii, but “only service dogs assisting Customers with disabilities.”

Fido and Mittens are going to have to skip the luau and sunny beaches of Hawaii!

 

11. It’ll Cost You $75 to Bring Your Surfboard, But Bring Scuba Gear FREE

Unfortunately, surfboards are NOT included in the 2 free checked items you can bring to Hawaii (or any flight) on Southwest.

You’ll need to pay $75 per way to bring your surfboard, as well as remove the keels and fins.

And we’ve seen some people do it!

But be sure to bring your snorkel gear and just pack it, and they will accept scuba gear with empty air tanks as one of your 2 free checked items per person.

Here are the full details.

You can alternately rent snorkel gear upon arrival in Hawaii and we recommend the Snorkel Store in Maui.

Get the latest updates about Southwest Hawaii Flights here or at Southwest.com/Hawaii.

Aloha!!

 

Read More: 

• 6 Awesome Hawaii Hotels You Can Book Using Points
• How My Family is Planning a Trip to Hawaii on Southwest 
• 10 Hacks to Save BIG Money in Hawaii
• What’s It Like to Fly to Hawaii on Southwest Airlines
• 19 Incredible Not-to-Miss Things to do in Hawaii