Southwest Airlines launches new Hilo service from Las Vegas starting August 2026.

December 19, 2025 at 08:20 PM•2 min read

Southwest Airlines will launch new flights connecting Las Vegas and Hilo, Hawaii, three times weekly starting August 6, 2026.

Key Points

1Southwest Airlines will launch new scheduled service connecting Las Vegas (LAS) and Hilo International Airport (ITO) beginning August 6, 2026.
2The new route will operate three times weekly (Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays), complementing the carrier's established service between Las Vegas and Honolulu.
3Hawaiian Airlines remains the dominant carrier in the Hilo market, currently offering approximately twice the available seats compared to Southwest.
4This expansion supports Southwest's broader growth strategy in the Pacific, which includes plans for a 12,000-square-foot lounge at Honolulu International Airport (HNL).

Southwest Airlines announced a significant expansion of its transpacific network, initiating new scheduled service between Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas and Hilo International Airport (ITO) in Hawaii. The new route is set to commence operations on August 6, 2026, offering flights three times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. This addition complements Southwest's existing service connecting Las Vegas and Honolulu (HNL).

The route expansion addresses demand from the large Hawaiʻi-born population residing in Las Vegas, often referred to as the "Ninth Island." Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda welcomed the renewed service, noting the convenience it offers local families and the support for their "hometown airline." Southwest Senior Vice President Adam Decaire affirmed the importance of the Hilo market, stating, "Las Vegas is important to you, and you’re important to us."

This new service enters a market where Hawaiian Airlines currently holds dominance in Hilo, offering over 105,000 available seats this month, according to Cirium Diio Mi data, compared to Southwest’s 54,000 available seats. Southwest first entered the Western U.S. to Hawaii market in 2019 and currently operates flights to the islands from multiple cities including Las Vegas, Phoenix, and several California gateways. Furthermore, this network growth coincides with Southwest’s consideration of developing a 12,000-square-foot lounge facility at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.