Southwest Airlines Launching New Routes to Hawaii

Image: Southwest Airlines flight over Southern California. (Photo Credit: Felipe Sanchez/Adobe)
Image: Southwest Airlines flight over Southern California. (Photo Credit: Felipe Sanchez/Adobe)
Jessica Puckett
by Jessica Puckett
Last updated: 12:40 PM ET, Wed November 26, 2025

Travelers looking to spend the summer months lounging on Oahu’s pristine Lanikai Beach or hiking Honolulu’s iconic Diamond Head volcanic crater will have new affordable flight options to Hawaii in 2026, thanks to Southwest Airlines’ latest network expansion. 

The budget carrier has announced two new routes from Southern California to Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) set to launch in summer 2026.

Starting June 4, 2026, Southwest will operate daily flights between California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Honolulu. 

Then, on August 4, 2026, the carrier will launch peak-day service between Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) outside Los Angeles and Honolulu. 

Fares for both of the Oahu-bound routes are now on sale and start at about $250 one-way.

In addition to the new routes between California and Hawaii, Southwest is also launching new flights from the Golden State, including new daily service between Long Beach (LGB) and Portland (PDX) and Seattle (SEA), which launches on August 4, 2026.

The carrier will also begin a new daily route between San Diego (SAN) and Santa Barbara (SBA) that also starts on August 4, and double the amount of daily round-trip flights from SAN to Seattle (SEA) and Portland (PDX). Southwest plans to operate its highest-ever number of flights from San Diego in August and September 2026, with a total of 139 daily flights from the airport on peak days.

The California-based network expansion coincides with Southwest’s launch of new products, like gates in brand new terminals at San Diego and Burbank and its new aircraft cabin experience with assigned seats. Extra leg-room options with additional premium perks and in-seat power at every spot are set to roll out in 2026.

"For more than 25 years, we've served more destinations and carried more Customers than any other airline in California," said Adam Decaire, Southwest’s senior vice president of network planning and network operations control. "New facilities like those in San Diego and Burbank, along with our onboard Customer enhancements, have Southwest positioned to continue offering more for Customers in Southern California and beyond for many years to come."

Travelers can book fares on all of the new routes, as Southwest just opened its schedule for booking through September 30, 2026.


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