Southwest Airlines announced the addition of daily nonstop service from Oakland International Airport to Kahului, Maui, beginning August 15, 2026. The route joins Southwest's existing Hawaii network, which currently includes flights from several California cities to Honolulu, Kona, and Lihue, and reflects growing demand for affordable transpacific travel options.
Introductory fares start at $149 one-way, significantly undercutting competitors Hawaiian Airlines and United, which currently charge $250 or more for the same route. Southwest's Hawaii flights include two free checked bags, a benefit that saves families hundreds of dollars compared to carriers that charge for luggage. The Oakland-Maui flight departs at 8:15 AM and arrives at 11:30 AM local time, giving travelers a full afternoon to settle in.
Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said Hawaii continues to be one of the airline's strongest performing markets with consistently high load factors and customer satisfaction scores. The carrier now operates 28 daily departures across its Hawaii network, up from just 12 when it launched transpacific service in 2019. Travel agents report that the new route is already booking briskly for the fall season.
