waveflyer
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http://beatofhawaii.com/southwest-hawaii-airline-update/
Southwest Hawaii flight plans almost remain to this day a secret. Classified information was let out of the bag last week and it appears certain that SWA will have flights to Hawaii. That?s great news for future Hawaii vacation deals. With their flight crew and fleet of 737-800 planes ETOPS certified for over water service, and other factors we uncovered below, this Maxwell Smart thinks it?s a sure thing.
Here?s the latest update:
On July 24, 2014 Southwest CEO Gary Kelly announced plans for the airline?s continued expansion. In regards to Hawaii, while more legwork is needed to commence Hawaii flights, he said it ?wouldn?t take years to start flights to the islands.?
?We have work to do before we can fly to Hawaii, which I doubt we?ll be able to keep a secret.? ? Gary Kelly
Southwest Hawaii service has still not been announced. Here?s why:
2013-2014 company growth stopped. Southwest put a halt on expansion which is now set to resume in 2015. Their number of flights has actually decreased slightly while the number of seat miles has been flat. That is in large part because Southwest?s acquisition of AirTran was more complicated than originally thought. AirTran 737′s they acquired had to be taken out of service to be revamped.
Allegiant Hawaii service entered our market and while not a major player, brought with them initial uncertainty as to broader Hawaii flight pricing. Southwest waited to see whether the discount carrier?s entry would have any impact on the other airlines? Hawaii ticket prices. Thereafter Allegiant did not have great success with the islands which may have caused further concern for Hawaii prospects.
What we know:
SWA has a fleet of 737?800 planes ETOPS certified for over water service.
Southwest flight crews received over water training needed in part to fly to Hawaii.
2015 plans remain significant. Southwest will take delivery of 33 Boeing 737-800 aircraft next year. That will provide added capacity needed for Hawaii.
Allegiant had no impact on diluting Hawaii ticket prices. In spite of the discount carrier?s entry, prices from Hawaiian, Alaska and the other airlines have continued to rise. This is the best indication to Southwest that timing is or soon will be right for them to enter the Hawaii market.
Beat of Hawaii predictions:
We hope to see Southwest Hawaii service announced by summer 2015 with service to commence by 2016. That barring anything unforeseen.
Southwest will be limited to flying to Hawaii from the west coast. Even going slightly inland isn?t feasible with their aircraft.
Oakland will be the primary mainland departure city. The next most likely Hawaii gateway is Los Angeles.
We do not anticipate Southwest offering inter-island service, at least initially.
Southwest Hawaii flight plans almost remain to this day a secret. Classified information was let out of the bag last week and it appears certain that SWA will have flights to Hawaii. That?s great news for future Hawaii vacation deals. With their flight crew and fleet of 737-800 planes ETOPS certified for over water service, and other factors we uncovered below, this Maxwell Smart thinks it?s a sure thing.
Here?s the latest update:
On July 24, 2014 Southwest CEO Gary Kelly announced plans for the airline?s continued expansion. In regards to Hawaii, while more legwork is needed to commence Hawaii flights, he said it ?wouldn?t take years to start flights to the islands.?
?We have work to do before we can fly to Hawaii, which I doubt we?ll be able to keep a secret.? ? Gary Kelly
Southwest Hawaii service has still not been announced. Here?s why:
2013-2014 company growth stopped. Southwest put a halt on expansion which is now set to resume in 2015. Their number of flights has actually decreased slightly while the number of seat miles has been flat. That is in large part because Southwest?s acquisition of AirTran was more complicated than originally thought. AirTran 737′s they acquired had to be taken out of service to be revamped.
Allegiant Hawaii service entered our market and while not a major player, brought with them initial uncertainty as to broader Hawaii flight pricing. Southwest waited to see whether the discount carrier?s entry would have any impact on the other airlines? Hawaii ticket prices. Thereafter Allegiant did not have great success with the islands which may have caused further concern for Hawaii prospects.
What we know:
SWA has a fleet of 737?800 planes ETOPS certified for over water service.
Southwest flight crews received over water training needed in part to fly to Hawaii.
2015 plans remain significant. Southwest will take delivery of 33 Boeing 737-800 aircraft next year. That will provide added capacity needed for Hawaii.
Allegiant had no impact on diluting Hawaii ticket prices. In spite of the discount carrier?s entry, prices from Hawaiian, Alaska and the other airlines have continued to rise. This is the best indication to Southwest that timing is or soon will be right for them to enter the Hawaii market.
Beat of Hawaii predictions:
We hope to see Southwest Hawaii service announced by summer 2015 with service to commence by 2016. That barring anything unforeseen.
Southwest will be limited to flying to Hawaii from the west coast. Even going slightly inland isn?t feasible with their aircraft.
Oakland will be the primary mainland departure city. The next most likely Hawaii gateway is Los Angeles.
We do not anticipate Southwest offering inter-island service, at least initially.