Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle

Southwest Airlines Wins FAA Approval to Start Flying to Hawaii

by Barbara Peterson / February 28, 2019
Southwest Airlines Wins FAA Approval to Start Flying to Hawaii

After months of delays, the FAA gave the airline permission to operate to Hawaii. Photo: Southwest


Southwest cleared a major hurdle in its much-anticipated plan to start flights from California to Hawaii: After months of delays, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave the airline permission to operate its twin-engine 737 planes on long flights over the ocean. 

That means the airline can start selling tickets and advertising the service; in a statement, Southwest said that it will reveal more details of its service in the next few days. The airline has already announced that it intends to fly to the Hawaiian Islands from four cities in California: Oakland, San Diego, San Jose and Sacramento. In addition to Honolulu, it will also serve Maui, the Big Island and Kauai. The carrier will also operate interisland flights.

In recent weeks, the airline flew test flights from Oakland to Honolulu with FAA inspectors to review navigation and maintenance on the planes that will be dedicated to the new service. That was necessary because flights from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii operate far from the nearest airport, even those that are designated as diversion airports in the case of an emergency. 

For Southwest, the approval was a bright spot in what has otherwise been a rough few weeks.  The airline has been experiencing maintenance-related delays and cancellations, which have been blamed, in part, on a standoff with the carrier’s mechanics. The company and the union representing the airline’s maintenance workers have been negotiating for six years without a new contract. Mechanics have responded that they are being unfairly singled out as the cause of the service woes.  

But Southwest’s CEO Gary Kelly was decidedly bullish on the airline’s prospects during a recent earnings call, pinning much of his optimism on the new Hawaii service. “We’re going big,” he promised.

  0
  0
Related Articles
U.S. Airlines React to the Lifting of the Federal Mask Mandate
Southwest is Bringing Back Alcohol on Planes
Southwest Airlines Reaches Settlement With Boeing Over 737 MAX, Flights Resuming in Spring 2020
Hawaiian Airlines Adds Lower Fare as it Faces New Competition from Southwest
Southwest Airlines is Expanding its Hawaii Flights
Southwest Airlines Opens Booking Access to Business Travel Managers
Trafalgar’s North American Itineraries Get Upgrade for 2020
Southwest Airlines $49 Flights to Hawaii Sells Out
Southwest Airlines Extends Nashville Schedule
Southwest Airlines Testing Faster Boarding Process

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  2. CDC Adds Three Caribbean Destinations to “High-Risk” COVID-19 List
  3. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  4. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
  5. Three Cruise Lines Bring Masks Back in Alaska
  6. Travel Advisors Continue Push for Removal of U.S.’s Inbound Testing Requirement

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  2. Report: U.S. to End COVID-19 Air Travel Testing Requirement
  3. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  4. Japan Could Boot Tourists Who Disobey COVID-19 Rules
  5. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
  6. Bahamas Eliminates Travel Health Visa, But COVID Test Requirement Remains
rental escapes
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Bonaire Is Adding a Tourist Tax Starting on July 1
Bonaire Is Adding a Tourist Tax Starting on July 1

Bonaire, the Dutch Caribbean island, is adding a visitor entry tax for all travelers to the destination starting on July 1.

Read...
New Zealand Drops COVID-19 Test Requirement Ahead of Schedule
New Zealand Drops COVID-19 Test Requirement Ahead of Schedule

"The challenges pre-departure tests pose to visitors are now no longer outweighed by the public health benefits," New Zealand said this week. 

Read...
What to Know About Travel to Antigua and Barbuda Now
What to Know About Travel to Antigua and Barbuda Now

Advisors talking to TMR said that Antigua’s relaxed COVID protocols, and news from the U.S., could result in major arrivals spike. 

Read...
Yellowstone National Park’s South Loop Reopens After Storm Damage
Yellowstone National Park’s South Loop Reopens After Storm Damage

Even with the reopening, not all visitors will be allowed in. 

Read...
At Four Years Old, Swoop’s Low Cost Expansion Picks Up Steam
At Four Years Old, Swoop’s Low Cost Expansion Picks Up Steam

It’s been an impressive start in the life of Swoop, the ultra-low-cost carrier owned by Westjet and headquartered in Calgary.

Read...
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Is Now Ahead of 2019 Numbers
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Is Now Ahead of 2019 Numbers

The CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James, spoke to TMR recently about how tourism has been trending on the islands.

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
CP White Paper
Multi-Gen Outlook
Distribution Outlook (1)
New to Cruise Outlook
Expedition 2020
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/QTPIinGDcIY/0.jpg
Video: Can Booking Bachelor and Bachelorette Party Groups Be Profitable for Advisors?
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2022 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy