Southwest Airlines is expected to announce schedules for its new Hawaii service this week. Brace yourselves for a fare war.
Southwest already has a dedicated page on its website for Hawaii and hints that a service announcement is imminent.
Initial service to the islands will begin from:
- Oakland (OAK)
- Sacramento (SMF)
- San Diego (SAN)
- San Jose (SJC)
Southwest will serve the following Hawaiian destinations:
- Honolulu (HNL)
- Kona (KOA)
- Lihue (LIH)
- Maui (OGG)
Southwest will also operate inter-island flights. The new routes are subject to government approval.
Earlier this week, Southwest sent a successful test flight to Honolulu.
You see that? That’s what it looks like when a Southwest bird lands in Hawaii!
Visit https://t.co/aOAa0lmiz7 to learn more about our plans to serve Hawaii. Stay tuned for more! pic.twitter.com/lbwT1CgQjr
— Southwest Airlines (@SouthwestAir) February 6, 2019
The Coming Fare War
Southwest will go head-to-head with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines on several routes and also challenge legacy carriers operating out of larger hub airports nearby. Southwest usually introduces exceptional introductory prices, so expect prices to drop in the days ahead. In fact, prices have already dropped a bit today in anticipation of the Southwest announcement.
Thus, even if you are not looking to fly to Hawaii on Southwest we will likely see great deals on Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, and United in the days ahead. Start thinking about potential travel dates now.
CONCLUSION
Long-term, I don’t expect Southwest to make a permanent dent on pricing. Already we see that “I’ll just buy a cheap flight on Southwest” is no longer really a reality. On the contrary, Southwest is often more expensive than legacy carriers (though tickets come with more flexibility). But at least for now…in the days ahead…look for incredible deals to Hawaii. We’re already seeing price drops in anticipation of Southwest’s announcement. If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii this year, get serious about your dates because the window of opportunity is coming.
image: Southwest
The Southwest Hawaii drip-drip-drip rollout has been such an embarrassment. Announcing potential service way too early in advanced, getting ETOPS delayed by the shutdown, thumping their “up-and-down california” chest and don’t have the guts to launch from any single LA basin airport, and giving competitors PLENTY of time to pre-emptively strike.
Oh yea, that can getting the press all hyped up about the “intra-Hawaii” potential and likely won’t deliver anything concrete.
Meanwhile, UA already flies to 5 Hawaiian airports from 7 CONUS48 airports, with every lower48 time zone represented, and many of them with full flat bed service. Southwest is hyping up checkers while UA is doing 3D Chess.
Think about including a few facts i.e. current prices?
@henry LAX
That may be true but UA stinks, many people don’t like them, and they won’t fly them. Any time you can increase competition in the airline industry it’s a good thing. I hope Southwest does well.
I, for one, cannot wait for Southwest to show up. Not that I’d fly them, but for the added competition. Being based in Hawaii makes traveling anywhere expensive. And, inter-island fares are insane. I sincerely hope Southwest will (eventually) operate an impactful inter-island route network.
Inter-island fares insane? I pulled up last minute trips between HNLOGG and they were in the $70-90 range which for day of departure, on a route that doesn’t have the option of driving between the two points, seems more than reasonable. If your expecting $25OW fares between the islands, Go/Aloha proved that was unsustainable in the long term.
I’m all for competition, but every time I hear about WN to Hawaii to me its a giant eye-roll. It’s all hype and don’t believe it will be as gangbusters as they are anticipating. They really aren’t offering anything unique versus current carriers other than lack of connectivity on the mainland (resulting out of there inability to fly red-eyes), open seating (usually only benefits the people who claim they get to pick their seat—which I take to mean they have no status on other carriers or don’t want to pay), that “great” WN spirit with friendly and funny flight attendants (corny jokes abound), and a free checked bag (meh I don’t need to check a bag and even if I did status/credit card would waive fee).
Aren’t those HA sale prices? Normally, its >$100 ONE WAY inter island which is absurd and beyond reasonable. HA has the monopoly, so basically has everybody over the barrel. I second Islandmiler and can’t wait for WN to arrive and give HA its comeuppance via competition. HA is lucky to have the locals being marginally loyal only because the legacies (AA, UA, DAL) are HORRIBLE even with being slightly cheaper. Will no baggage fees / change fees etc at similar fare pricing be enough to sway the locals?? (if they had any brains.. fyeah). Bring it on! WN
side note: WN is REALLY missing the boat by not flying (direct) to LAS!!! THAT is the gravy train. Can’t belive they did’nt do their research there.