Southwest Announces Nonstop Hilo–Las Vegas Flights
What This Means for Big Island Travelers and a Look Ahead to 2026
Big news for Big Island travelers: Southwest Airlines has officially announced a new nonstop route between Hilo (ITO) and Las Vegas (LAS), marking a major milestone for East Hawaiʻi.
Starting August 6, 2026, Hilo residents will no longer need to route through Honolulu or the mainland West Coast to reach Las Vegas. This is the first-ever nonstop flight between Hilo and Las Vegas, and it’s a huge win for accessibility, pricing competition, and convenience.
Why This Route Is a Big Deal for Hilo
For years, Hilo travelers have been asking for better nonstop options—and this announcement finally delivers.
Here’s why this route matters:
No more HNL positioning flights just to reach Vegas
Shorter total travel time for mainland connections
More competition on a popular Hawaii ↔ Las Vegas corridor
Better odds for lower fares and Southwest sales
Las Vegas is one of the most popular mainland destinations for Hawaiʻi residents, whether it’s for family trips, conventions, sports, or quick getaways. Having a nonstop from Hilo fundamentally changes the travel equation for the Big Island.
What We Know So Far
Route: Hilo (ITO) ↔ Las Vegas (LAS)
Airline: Southwest Airlines
Launch Date: August 6, 2026
Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8
Service Type: Nonstop
Southwest has framed this route as part of its broader “Heart for Hilo” initiative, signaling a longer-term commitment to expanding service at ITO, not just a one-off experiment.
How This Fits Into Southwest’s Bigger Hawaii Strategy
This new route isn’t happening in isolation. It lines up with several broader trends we’re seeing:
Southwest continuing to invest beyond Honolulu, focusing on neighbor islands
Increasing confidence in long-haul Hawaii flying
A push toward point-to-point leisure routes that bypass major hubs
Hilo joining Las Vegas directly puts ITO in a much stronger position within Southwest’s Hawaii network.
Looking Ahead: What This Could Mean in 2026
While only Hilo–Las Vegas is confirmed for now, this route opens the door to bigger possibilities.
Here’s what I’m watching as we move toward 2026:
Additional mainland nonstop routes from Hilo if demand performs well
Introductory fare sales when booking first opens
Improved Rapid Rewards redemption opportunities for Big Island residents
Pressure on other airlines to respond with better pricing or schedules
If this route succeeds, it strengthens the case that Hilo can support more direct mainland service—something that’s been debated for years.
Scottie’s Take
For Hilo families, this isn’t just about Vegas, it’s about finally being included in meaningful nonstop mainland service. Too often, Big Island travelers are forced into extra hops, extra costs, and extra time just to get where they’re going.
A nonstop Hilo–Las Vegas flight changes that.
Looking toward 2026, I see this as a test route with big upside. If locals support it, fly it, and book it, Hilo becomes harder to ignore in future airline planning. And that’s exactly what we want—more options, more competition, and better pricing for our neighbor islands.
This is why we built Hawaii Reward Travel: to help local travelers understand these changes early and actually use them to their advantage, whether that’s booking smarter cash fares or maximizing points when schedules open up.
