Southwest Airlines published a new service for Hawaii that brings the Ninth Island closer to Hilo Town, linking Las Vegas with Hilo (Hawaii Island) nonstop beginning August 6, 2026. The additional service furthers a commitment by Southwest Airlines® to the Aloha State that stretches across the islands with Heart for Hawaii.
Southwest® has scheduled the additional time-saving mainland service in Hilo on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, alongside the carrier’s five-times-daily Honolulu (Oahu) interisland service that offers onward connections daily both across the islands and to North America. These new flights are on sale now through Southwest.com.
Las Vegas to Hilo (Hawaii Island) nonstop service begins August 6, 2026*
Wing Westbound: Departing 9:30 a.m.; Arriving 12:35 p.m.
Easy Eastbound: Departing 8:45 p.m.; Arriving 5:10 a.m.+1
*Initial flight schedule timing; flights operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays
“We heard you, Hilo.” said Adam Decaire, Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President Network Planning and Network Operations Control. “Las Vegas is important to you, and you’re important to us. This service gets you faster to family and fun in Nevada where you also can access easy connections on Southwest to many of the 75 places that we serve nonstop from Las Vegas with as many 272 departures a day.”
"When I took office, I pledged to strengthen ties with the 'Ninth Island' — Las Vegas, where many Hawaiʻi-born residents live. Southwest’s renewed service shows its dedication," said Mayor Kimo Alameda, Hawaiʻi County. "Quicker flights across the Pacific means more convenience for our local families and another chance to support our hometown airline."
“We’re thrilled to see Southwest Airlines expand its service with new nonstop flights between Las Vegas and Hilo,” said Steve Hill, CEO and president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Las Vegas has long been known as the ‘Ninth Island,’ and this new route strengthens the deep connection we share with the people of Hawaii. Each new nonstop flight makes it even easier to visit Las Vegas and experience everything our destination has to offer.”
“You have supported Southwest from well before our first flight to Hawaii. We’re grateful, and we’re bringing you more, including more choice to experience our award-winning hospitality with assigned seating on all flights beginning January 27,” said Andrew Watterson, Southwest Airlines Chief Operating Officer, at a gathering of Hawaii Island community leaders to talk story and share the news. “All of our aircraft in Hawaii offer enhancements that show where Southwest is going—in-seat power, improved space for carryon bags, rows of seats that offer extra legroom, with even more enhancements to come. Mahalo for valuing our relationship and the journey, as Hawaii People do.”
More for the Merrie
In support of halau and attendees of Merrie Monarch Festival 2026, a week-long celebration of Hawaiian culture and internationally acclaimed hula competition, Southwest will offer special service between Las Vegas and Hilo as well as additional interisland service. These flights also are now available at Southwest.com.
Thursday, April 9, 2026: Depart Las Vegas at 9:25 a.m.; Arrive Hilo at 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 12, 2026: Depart Hilo at 9:50 a.m.; Arrive Las Vegas at 6:25 p.m.
“We timed this special celebration flight eastbound to allow people attending the end of the festival same-day connections broadly across western North America, as far east as St. Louis, and to be able to reach other airports along the east coast through overnight service from Las Vegas,” added Decaire.
All for you, Hawaii
Southwest began operating at Hilo International Airport on January 19, 2020, and has continually offered interisland service with Heart for Hawaii communities, to support hundreds of Southwest Employees who call the islands home, and to honor the spirit of aloha that welcomed Southwest from the moment the carrier announced it would first arrive in Hawaii in March 2019. This era of choice, value, and mutual commitment has brought Southwest to fly nonstop between Hawaii and eight gateway airports on the mainland, and to add recently announced service from Ontario and Burbank airports that is intended begin in Summer 2026. With nearly 60 interisland flights daily, Southwest currently offers nearly 90 flights a day that touch Hawaii. Learn more about the relationship between Southwest and Hawaii at
Southwest.com/Aloha.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline1. By empowering its more than 72,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 140 million Customers carried in 2024. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.
Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q1 2025
Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of Sept. 30, 2025
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Southwest Airlines published a new service for Hawaii that brings the Ninth Island closer to Hilo Town, linking Las Vegas with Hilo (Hawaii Island) nonstop beginning August 6, 2026. The additional service furthers a commitment by Southwest Airlines® to the Aloha State that stretches across the islands with Heart for Hawaii.