How to Fly to Hawaii on Southwest Airlines

Alison Fox

Say aloha to easy flights between California and Hawaii with Southwest Airlines’ new routes that will take you straight to the islands.

Head to Maui to spot migrating humpback whales and watch the sunset from the Haleakalā volcano, lay out on the beaches of Waikiki and eat poke in Honolulu (one of the best cities in the country for food), and check out a coffee farm or the rare green-tinged sand on Papakolea Beach on the island of Hawaii.

The new routes, which launched in the spring, offer direct flights between California and three islands, as well as between the islands themselves. Additional routes to Kauai are on the way, according to Southwest Airlines. (All those flights, by the way, count toward the 100 one-way flights you need to earn a companion pass on Southwest Airlines).

Southwest Airlines' low fares to Hawaii aren’t just good news if you’re flying the airline. The famously budget-friendly airline’s entry into a new market has been shown to lower prices across carriers, and The Dallas Morning News reported the “Southwest Effect” was alive and well in February when the airline was testing flights.

Here are all of your flight options:

Between Oakland and Honolulu

Flights between Oakland and Honolulu on the island of Oahu operate twice each day in each direction.

Oakland and Kahului

Flights between Oakland and Kahului on the island of Maui operate twice each day in each direction.

San Jose and Honolulu

Flights between San Jose and Honolulu on the island of Oahu operate once daily in each direction.

San Jose and Kahului

Flights between San Jose and Kahului on the island of Maui operate once daily in each direction.

Honolulu and Kahului

Inter-island flights between Honolulu and Kahului will be flown four times each day in both directions.

Honolulu and Kona

Inter-island flights between Honolulu and Kona on the island of Hawaii will be flown four times each day in both directions.

Oakland and Kona

Flights between Oakland and Kona on the island of Hawaii will connect through Honolulu.

San Jose and Kona

Flights between San Jose and Kona on the island of Hawaii will connect through Honolulu.

Sacramento and Honolulu

Flights between Sacramento and Honolulu will launch in January 2020.

San Jose and Lihue

Flights between San Jose and Lihue on the island of Kauai will launch in January 2020.

Oakland and Lihue

Flights between Oakland and Lihue on the island of Kauai will launch in January 2020.

Honolulu and Lihue

Inter-island flights between Honolulu and Lihue on the island of Kauai will start in January 2020 and will operate four times each day in both directions.

Honolulu and Hilo

Inter-island flights between Honolulu and Hilo on the island of Hawaii will start in January 2020 and will operate four times each day in both directions.

Kahului and Kona

Inter-island flights between Kahului on Maui and Kona on the island of Hawaii will start in January 2020 and will operate once per day in each direction.

Southwest Airlines offers two free checked bags to make it even more convenient, as well as island-inspired drinks (like pineapple orange juice) and snacks to get you in the vacation mood.

With so many more flight choices to Hawaii, you’re running out of excuses not to plan your perfect beach getaway.