Just last month, the low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines, the bus in the sky you usually fly for one or two-hour trips, launched its first-ever flights to Honolulu from Oakland. The airline then followed that up last week with its new flights to Maui, also from Oakland. Aloha!
This is great news for folks flying to Hawaii simply because the fares are significantly lower than other major carriers such as United, American and even Hawaiian Airlines. It's also great news for families because Southwest has an open-boarding policy, meaning families don't have to fret about their kids being assigned middle seats 10 rows away from them. And Southwest still offers the first and second bags to be checked for free! Plus, Southwest's flight attendants are always usually happy but flying to Hawaii makes them even happier.
That said, there are some things to keep in mind before you fly:
1. Check-In Early: It's a long flight (5.5 hours to Hawaii; 4.5 on the way back) and the key to getting a good seat and keeping the family seated together is checking in early so that you'll be assigned into an A or B boarding group.
2. Pack More Snacks: Southwest does serve a complimentary snack box and non-alcoholic drinks are free, but again, it's a long-flight. We suggest filling up a reusable water bottle for everyone, bringing or buying sandwiches and other larger meals, and maybe one or two more snacks.
3. Charge Your Devices!: Southwest offers free TV and movies in-flight via its Southwest app which you need to download before takeoff. You can also buy premium WiFi for just $8 (a steal compared to other airlines' WiFi prices.) BUT there are no power ports in the seat. So your devices will lose battery quick. Charge 'em up before the flight and definitely bring a back-up power source. The good news is that Southwest flies 787-800s to Hawaii, which are still rather new planes and the seats are actually comfortable.
Other than that, sit back and enjoy the ride! A lei and a Mai Tai awaits….
Southwest flies to and from Maui and Honolulu twice a day to Oakland. San Jose service is set to begin in May. A few other cities will be announced in the coming months. Southwest will also begin flying in between Maui and Honolulu on April 28, making interisland travel more affordable as well.
Have you flown Southwest to Hawaii? Let us know what you thought!
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