11 Things You Need to Know About Southwest Hawaii Flights

Now that Southwest has officially started flights to Hawaii, if you’re planning a Hawaiian vacation on the airline anytime soon, there are some things you should know.

We’ve compiled a list of top things to know about Southwest Hawaii flights!

11 Things You Need to Know About Southwest Hawaii Flights

1. Southwest Flies to 3 Hawaiian Airports (4th and 5th coming soon)

You can currently fly to three Hawaiian destinations on Southwest:

• Oahu (HNL)
• Maui (OGG)
• Island of Hawaii (KOA)

Kauai (LIH) is coming soon, along with Hilo (ITO), also on the Big Island of Hawaii. 

2. Fly Nonstop From 2 West Coast Airports

Currently, you can fly nonstop from both Oakland and San Jose Airports in California. 

3. Nonstop Flights Are About 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.

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

You can also book flights from most of Southwest’s other destinations, but you’ll be stopping in California on the way there. It looks like they are slowly adding these flights for booking.

5. Fares Start 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 $180 per way.

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. Oh, and you can bring them ANYWHERE you fly for however long you hold the pass, not just on this one trip…

Can you imagine paying less than $100 roundtrip for 2 people to fly to Hawaii or better yet, only 3,900 points? I could sneeze and earn 3,900 Southwest points!!

Find out 10 things you MUST know in order to earn your Companion Pass by downloading my freebie below:

7. Fly Interisland on Southwest Starting at $29 Per Way

Southwest now flies between  Honolulu and Kahului (Maui) and between Honolulu and Kona. Fares start at $29 per way, but are usually closer to $49 per way.

8. Get a Bigger Snack on Your Hawaii Flight

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

Sip on a free Minute Maid Pineapple Orange Juice Blend, or you can choose from alcoholic drinks like:

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

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

10. Sorry, But Your Dog Can’t Fly to Hawaii With You

Southwest says that they will not transport pets to and from Hawaii, but “only service dogs assisting Customers with disabilities and emotional support dogs and cats are permitted.”

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

Unfortunately, surfboards are not included in the two free checked items you can bring to Hawaii (or any flight) on Southwest. You’ll need to pay $75 per way, as well as remove the keels and fins.

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 two free checked items per person. Here are the full details.

Get complete details about Southwest Hawaii Flights at Southwest.com/Hawaii.

Aloha!!