11 Things You Need to Know About Southwest Hawaii Flights

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

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

My family saves more than $8,000 every year flying free and I can show your family how to make flying free a LIFESTYLE too! Join my Families Fly Free program to learn my simple process so you can start making more priceless travel memories before your kids leave home. 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 four Hawaiian destinations on Southwest from the mainland, though a negative COVID test is required upon arrival:

• Honolulu – Oahu (HNL)
• Lihue – Kauai (LIH) – Note: Quarantine restrictions in place
• Kahului – Maui (OGG)
• Kona – Island of Hawaii (KOA)

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

• Hilo – Island of Hawaii (ITO)

 

2. Fly Nonstop From 4 West Coast Airports, Including SAN DIEGO!

You can fly nonstop from 4 airports in California:

• Oakland
• San Jose
• San Diego
• Sacramento 

 

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.

There’s also a bit of a hiccup if you’re flying to/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.

 

5. Fares 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 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!!

 

7. Fly Interisland on Southwest Starting 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)

 

And from

• Maui to Honolulu and Kona
• Kauai to Honolulu
• Kona to Maui and Honolulu
• Hilo to Honolulu.

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

 

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 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

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.

Currently, the Boeing MAX 8 (Southwest’s newest aircraft) is grounded though is expected to return in the second quarter of 2021.

 

10. Sorry, But Your Dog (or Cat!) 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 the latest updates about Southwest Hawaii Flights here or at Southwest.com/Hawaii.

Aloha!!

To review or apply for any of the cards in this post, please use the links within this post or the CREDIT CARDS links in the main menu above (shown in the image below). This allows us to earn a commission—at no cost to you—to support our small business. Thanks so much for taking that step!

 

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