Southwest Airlines Doubles Down on the Hawaii Market

Since its first service to Hawaii in 2019, Southwest is grateful to have grown to serve five airports in the Aloha State and to link the Hawaiian Islands to the mainland with nonstop service through eight gateway airports: 

  • Long Beach, 

  • Oakland, 

  • Sacramento, 

  • San Jose,

  • Los Angeles (LAX); 

  • San Diego, 

  • Las Vegas and 

  • Phoenix

Southwest Airlines continues to roll out many planned routes between the mainland and Hawaii and several island services. 

Opening a new market is a big deal, and we made it a media success. 

Through a cross-collaboration departmental campaign, we first focused on public affairs issues, ensuring local government and organizations supported Southwest coming to the market and what that would mean for the local economy. 

We then created multitiered marketing campaigns and events to generate awareness while working with investor relations and legal to approve all shared content with the media and the public. 

From there, we hosted multiple public events and celebrations at respective airports to create awareness and excitement.

In 2023, Southwest Airlines officially dedicated an airplane to Hawaii. 

"When we dedicate an airplane, it's not only a symbol of gratitude but also of a promise we've made," said Bob Jordan, President & Chief Executive Officer at Southwest Airlines. "Hawaii welcomed Southwest with warm aloha, and we approached serving the people of Hawaii with an earnest desire to connect them with important moments, places, and the people who matter most in their lives. We've grown since our first arrival on the Islands four years ago to 90 departures a day, thanks to the support of Island communities. Each flight is filled with—and powered by—an essence of aloha, combined with the Heart of Southwest and our People, all working together and moving forward."

Recently, Southwest also donated $10,000 to eight organizations in the Islands to underscore a commitment to longtime community partners in Hawaii. These organizations support causes close to the Heart of Southwest and align with elements and themes featured on Imua One:

  • AccesSurf

  • Boys + Girls Club Hawaii 

  • Hoola Na Pua 

  • Liv. Pregnancy and 

  • Women's Wellness

  • National Tropical Botanical Garden

  • Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association

  • Pacific Whale Foundation

  • UH Institute for Astronomy

USA TODAY, CNBC, Dallas Morning News, Business Insider, LA Times and more.