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Southwest Airlines is expanding its route network to and within the Aloha State. The low-cost carrier has added daily flights from Sacramento to Honolulu to its schedule, as well as additional routes from elsewhere in California to Kauai and the Big Island.
These new flights are scheduled to take off starting in January 2020, but you can start buying tickets now. Fares on some dates are heavily discounted.
New routes from the mainland
Starting Jan. 19
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Sacramento to/from Honolulu.
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Oakland to/from Kona (Big Island).
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San Jose to/from Lihue (Kauai).
Starting Jan. 21
Southwest is offering these new flights as low as $99 each way for one day only, though those fares were nearly gone when we checked just prior to publication. You’ll have to purchase your ticket by Aug. 15, 2019 at 11:59 Pacific Time to get the introductory fares, which are valid for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between Jan. 21, 2020 and March 4, 2020.
New inter-island routes
Starting Jan. 19
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Honolulu to/from Lihue (Kauai).
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Honolulu to/from Hilo (Big Island).
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Kahului (Maui) to/from Kona (Big Island).
On these new inter-island routes, book by Aug. 22, 2019, to get one-way fares as low as $29 when you fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday between Jan. 21, 2020, and March 4, 2020.
The bottom line
Southwest began flying to Hawaii in March 2019, and their new service has been a welcome addition. Not only are Southwest Rapid Rewards members finally able to book flights and earn points on these trips, but other travelers have benefited in that competitor airlines have dropped their prices to match.
Southwest flyers will get all the perks the airline’s loyalists love, including two free checked bags. All Southwest’s Hawaii flights are operated on 737-800 aircraft with seats offering the most legroom in their fleet.