Say ‘aloha’: Southwest to start offering flights from Phoenix to Hawaii

PHOENIX — If you are looking to trade in the desert for the beach, you’re in luck.

Southwest Airlines announced Monday that it would begin offering flights from Phoenix to Hawaii, with some as low as $88 one way.

The flights were to airports located on the Maui, Oahu and Kona islands, but there were no flights available to Kona International Airport as of Monday.

Passengers could fly between Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu as early as March 19, and to Kahului Airport on April 8.

Book now! https://t.co/TdnRpEMR33 #SouthwestSaysAloha pic.twitter.com/bA3WNW2xLK

— Southwest Airlines (@SouthwestAir) March 4, 2019

The announcement came shortly after the Federal Aviation Administration granted the airline approval to begin flights between California and Hawaii, capping the airline’s effort to extend its reach 2,400 miles across the Pacific.

Southwest needed FAA certification of its ability to operate long, over-water flights with twin-engine jets where the options for emergency landings are few.

In recent weeks Southwest has operated several test flights with FAA personnel on board to monitor such things as navigation and communications.

Southwest hoped to begin selling Hawaii tickets last year, but that slipped even before the 35-day partial government shutdown.

The shutdown began in late December and resulted in the furlough of thousands of FAA employees.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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