Southwest Airlines (WN) is set for a major expansion of its Hawaii network as it will offer nonstop service between Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas and Hilo International Airport (ITO), Hilo on the Island of Hawaii, reported The Points Guy. The route is scheduled to begin on August 6, 2026, this route marks the first nonstop mainland-to-Hilo connection since United Airlines (UA) discontinued its Los Angeles service in early 2023.
The new LAS–ITO flights will operate three times weekly — Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays — offering east Hawaii residents, visitors, and business travelers a direct connection between Nevada and the eastern edge of the Big Island without routing through Honolulu or other Hawaiian gateways.
Southwest Airline Profile
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airline | Southwest Airlines Co. |
| IATA Code | WN |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas, United States |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Hubs | Dallas Love Field (DAL); others include LAS, LAX, PHX, OAK |
| Fleet Size (approx.) | 900+ aircraft |
| Main Aircraft Type | Boeing 737 family |
| Rapid Rewards | Yes |
| Known For | Being one of the best Low-cost carriers and offering point-to-point network |
Southwest Expands LAS–ITO Nonstop Service
Southwest’s announcement follows an official press release from the airline’s investor relations division, which outlined the route schedule and strategic planning behind the expansion.
The new service, operating year-round, will depart LAS at 9:30 a.m. local time, arriving at ITO at 12:35 p.m. local time, while the return will be red-eye flights.
Sector: LAS–ITO
- Departure airport: Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas
- Departure time (local): 9:30 a.m.
- Arrival airport: Hilo International Airport (ITO), Hilo
- Arrival time (local): 12:35 p.m.
Sector: ITO–LAS
- Departure airport: Hilo International Airport (ITO), Hilo
- Departure time (local): 8:45 p.m.
- Arrival airport: Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas
- Arrival time (local): 5:10 a.m. (next day)
These red-eye return timings reflect Southwest’s broader operational shift toward overnight transpacific segments — part of a network optimization that includes new Hawaii and Caribbean routes.
Andrew Watterson, the COO of Southwest was quoted in Hawaii News Now, as having said:
“We saw an opportunity in the marketplace, so we jumped on it both to provide people in Hilo town and East Hawaii to get to the mainland, but also to bring visitors and business people to Hilo…”
These new frequencies build upon Southwest’s existing inter-island service from Hilo to Honolulu — typically five daily round trips — and supplement the carrier’s wider Hawaiian network of mainland connections, including flights from Californian and Arizona gateways.
Why this Gap Mattered
The absence of nonstop service to the mainland increased itinerary complexity and cost for Hilo travelers, often pushing connections through Oahu or other islands — a frustration noted by both passengers and analysts. With direct flights gone, total journey times could exceed 18 hours with layovers.
Airport profile — Hilo International Airport (ITO)
Hilo International Airport (ITO) sits on the eastern coast of the Island of Hawaii and serves as a primary gateway to East Hawaii. Historically, it operated several mainland links, particularly during the 2000s and 2010s, including service by ATA Airlines and later by United Airlines.
facts and historic service
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Opened: Mid-20th century (legacy Hawaiian gateway)
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Former nonstop services: Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles
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Main carriers historically: United, ATA Airlines, Hawaiian, Southwest (inter-island)
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Present position: Resurgent mainland link via Southwest in 2026
The airport’s lack of nonstop connections since 2023 diminished its competitive position relative to other Big Island gateways like Kona International Airport (KOA), which maintained continuous mainland schedules through various carriers.
According to The Points Guy, Hilo is:
“home to approximately 45,000 residents, and it’s about a 75-minute drive from Kona, which sits on the western side of the Big Island. It’s often seen as a less touristy destination, with a smaller-town feel. It’s home to few big brand-name hotels aside from Hilton’s Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo, which is part of its Doubletree portfolio.”
All in All
For now, we don’t really know which aircraft type Southwest will deploy on this route. Currently, the carrier operates 809 aircraft which are 11.3 years on average. The following (compiled from data from planespotters.net)gives us a glimpse into the carrier’s fleet:
- Boeing 737-700: Southwest operates 297 aircraft in active service, with 15 stored, bringing the total fleet count to 312. The type has an average fleet age of 19.6 years, making it the carrier’s oldest variant and a likely candidate for phased retirement.
- Boeing 737-800: The airline has 189 aircraft in service and nine stored, for a combined total of 198 aircraft. An additional nine aircraft are on order, and the variant has an average age of 10.3 years, positioning it as a mid-life workhorse within the fleet.
- Boeing 737 MAX 7: Southwest currently has 30 aircraft on order, with no examples delivered or in service to date, reflecting ongoing certification delays for the MAX 7 variant.
- Boeing 737 MAX 8: The carrier operates 294 aircraft in active service, with five stored, resulting in a total of 299 aircraft. Another nine aircraft remain on order, and the fleet has an average age of 3.4 years, making it one of the youngest aircraft types in Southwest’s lineup.