Southwest Airlines Could Begin Hawaii Service This Year

In a conference call with its shareholders, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelley announced that service between the west coast and Hawaii could begin as early as December 2018, pending government approval and ETOPS certification. It's a goal the airline set for itself to get into the Hawaii market in time for the holiday travel season, and hopes to begin selling tickets for its Hawaii service later this year. If it does not meet its goal, the airline will start service in 2019.

Further information in this USA Today article.

We will have a better idea as to when Southwest will start service, once the airline begins ETOPS proving runs between California airports and HNL.