Southwest’s Big West Coast Expansion: What Hawaiʻi Travelers Need to Know

Happy Thanksgiving!

Southwest’s 2026 expansion isn’t just about Hawaiʻi, and it’s a full West Coast refresh. The airline is adding more flights up and down California, boosting service into the Pacific Northwest, and increasing frequencies out of major hubs like San Diego, Oakland, and Sacramento. For us here in Hawaiʻi, the biggest impact comes from the two new nonstop routes to Honolulu from Ontario and Burbank. As Southwest strengthens its West Coast network, those added gateways directly open up more seats, more competitive pricing, and more flexibility for Hawaiʻi residents traveling to Southern California and beyond.

New Southwest Flights Coming to Hawaiʻi

Southwest is adding two new nonstop routes from Southern California to Honolulu next summer:

• Ontario, California (ONT) → Honolulu (HNL) starting June 4, 2026 — daily service

• Burbank, California (BUR) → Honolulu (HNL) starting August 4, 2026 — peak-travel-day service

These airports sit right in the middle of big population areas in Southern California. That means more convenience for families on the mainland, but it also means more competition, more seats, and potentially better prices for us flying out of Hawaiʻi.

Southwest is also ramping up a lot of West Coast flying overall, especially California and the Pacific Northwest, which usually helps with connections and fare pressure.

On top of that, they’re upgrading their cabin interiors, adding in-seat power, and operating more of their newer 737 aircraft, which will matter for comfort on these long Hawaiʻi flights.

Why This Matters If You Live in Hawaiʻi

1. More airports to choose from

Most local travelers default to LAX, SFO, or SAN. Next year, add ONT and BUR to your list when looking for deals. They’re easier for a lot of people on the mainland to get to and sometimes the smaller airports offer better pricing.

2. Possible drop in fares

When an airline adds new nonstop flights to Hawaiʻi, historically we see competitors adjust. More seats = more fare sales and more opportunities for last-minute deals.
For anyone who travels often to SoCal, this is good news.

3. Better award availability

More flights usually mean more chances to find award seats, whether you’re searching cash fares or hunting for points-based redemptions. If you use tools like seats.aero or point.me, keep an eye on ONT and BUR as new “sweet spot” gateways.

4. Improved comfort for long flights

With Southwest rolling out new cabin interiors and in-seat power, the onboard experience is going to feel much more comfortable for Hawaiʻi flights. For families, long-leg travelers, and frequent flyers.

5. More flexibility getting to and from the mainland

More West Coast gateways = more options for itineraries, better connection possibilities, and fewer bottlenecks at LAX.

Strategy Tips for 2025–2026

Here’s how I would prep for next year if you’re planning travel or stacking points:

1. Start including ONT and BUR in every search.

Even if you’ve never flown out of those airports, they might end up being the cheapest or easiest options.

2. Watch for fare wars in the summer and fall of 2026.

Whenever a new route launches, airlines usually respond. I’ll keep you updated in my daily deal posts.

3. Be flexible with points.

If you’ve got Southwest points or transferable bank points, these new routes might offer better value once schedules open up.

4. Think strategically about mainland connections.

For example: HNL → BUR → anywhere on the West Coast might become a smoother option than LAX during busy seasons.

5. Consider family convenience.

If you have relatives in the Inland Empire or northern LA County, these new airports make travel much easier.

Scottie’s Take

As a Hawaiʻi guy who loves helping locals travel smarter: this announcement is bigger than it looks. Anytime we get more nonstop West Coast routes, it opens up new ways for us to save money, book more easily, and travel with less headache.

ONT and BUR aren’t just “extra” airports, they’re going to become real players for Hawaiʻi flyers, especially folks who travel between Oʻahu and Southern California regularly. I’ll be watching airfare trends closely and sharing any deals or award sweet spots as schedules open up.

With Atmos Rewards rolling out new ways to earn in 2026, and Southwest upgrading their livery, shifting to a more traditional boarding system, and even building a new Southwest Lounge at HNL, next year is looking like a big year of upgrades and new options for Hawaiʻi travelers. Happy Thanksgiving, and we’re excited to keep you updated as we head into the new year!