Southwest Airlines to add Hawaii flights in Spring 2019

  Southwest Airlines has been given FAA approval to begin flights to Hawaii in 2019. The carrier announced today that flights will start in March, with the first flight going from Oakland to Honolulu on March 17. Airfare will be on sale for $49, through March 5.  Flights from Oakland to Maui will begin on April 7. No word on when flights from Sacramento will begin. The announcement is good news for local travelers who should see airfares drop for other airlines with the addition of Southwest. Southwest will begin flying from four cities in California, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego and San Jose. Flights will go to Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Southwest also plans to add inter-island flights to their routes. Additional US cities and routes may be added later according to Beat of Hawaii. Southwest will use their existing fleet of 737 – 800’s before moving to the 737 MAX8. There will not be “hot” food service. Instead snacks will be provided.