Southwest Airlines has announced five new domestic routes. As reported by Ishrion Aviation on X, it will be launching service to Honolulu from Burbank and Ontario, in addition to flights from Long Beach to Portland and Seattle, and a new route from San Diego to Santa Barbara. Most of these routes will commence on August 4, 2026, while the route from Ontario to Honolulu will begin on June 4, 2026. All of these routes are to or within the US West Coast, signaling that the company is looking to strengthen its position in the region.
Southwest has been struggling since the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has struggled to make money despite travel levels being as high as ever, and the company has now been boarded by Elliott Investment Management. The airline has made significant changes to its business model and is now attempting to gain market share as it’s improving its finances.
Southwest’s New Routes To Hawaii
Southwest Airlines had announced a brand new route from Ontario International Airport to Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Flights will commence on June 4, 2026, and will operate once daily with a Boeing 737 MAX 8. The departure from Ontario will leave in the morning, while the return flight will land in the evening, and this will be the third Los Angeles area airport to see service to Hawaii on Southwest.
Southwest Airlines is also launching new services to Honolulu from Hollywood Burbank Airport. This route will begin operating on August 4, 2026, once daily with a Boeing 737 MAX 8. Burbank has not had non-stop service to Hawaii in over 20 years, but Alaska Airlines has recently announced the same route as well. Southwest will also be going up against Alaska from Ontario, in addition to competition from Hawaiian Airlines at Long Beach, as well as American, Delta, and United from LAX. This will be the fourth Los Angeles area airport that will see Southwest service to Honolulu.
Southwest is flying the Boeing 737 MAX 8 on every route that it operates to and within Hawaii. Southwest’s 737 MAX 8s are configured in an all-economy configuration featuring a total of 175 seats. Southwest uses the Collins Meridian, and these aircraft do not feature in-flight entertainment, but they do include Wi-Fi and in-seat power. In addition, Southwest will begin selling assigned seats and extra-legroom options in January 2026.
Southwest’s New Routes Within The West Coast
Southwest Airlines has announced three new routes within the contiguous United States. All of these routes are within the US West Coast, and two of them are from Long Beach Airport. Specifically, Southwest Airlines is announcing service from Long Beach to Portland International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Both of these routes will operate six times per week and will commence on August 4, 2026.
In addition, Southwest Airlines is starting new services from San Diego International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. This new intra-state route will operate once daily and will start on August 4, 2026. In addition, Southwest is adding new daily flights from San Diego to Salt Lake City International Airport, Portland, and Seattle, doubling service on all three routes.
|
Origin |
Destination |
Launch Date |
Frequency |
Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ontario |
Honolulu |
June 4, 2026 |
Daily |
Alaska Airlines |
|
Burbank |
Honolulu |
August 4, 2026 |
Daily |
Alaska Airlines |
|
San Diego |
Santa Barbara |
August 4, 2026 |
Daily |
Alaska Horizon |
|
Long Beach |
Portland |
August 4, 2026 |
6x weekly |
N/A |
|
Long Beach |
Seattle |
August 4, 2026 |
6x Weekly |
N/A |
Long Beach, San Diego, Ontario, and Burbank are all secondary airports in which Southwest Airlines holds a majority market share. However, Southwest is going up against 
Alaska Airlines on all but two of these routes (Long Beach to Portland and Seattle). Alaska Airlines is a juggernaut on the US West Coast, but Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier in the state of California. With the carrier’s finances improving, it’s now bringing the fight to Alaska Airlines.
Southwest Airlines’ New 6-Hour Flight Isn’t To Alaska
This article looks at the situation next June, when new links, including to Alaska, will be available.
The Current State Of Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines has been making a series of changes under the leadership of Elliott. Some of these are positive, such as participating in the GDS, while others have been more controversial, such as the elimination of open seating and the removal of free checked bags. Southwest has built a unique brand that has attracted a cult following and has traditionally been resilient to economic headwinds.
The changes that have been made at Southwest to attract new customers also risk alienating the airline’s existing loyal customers. However, when you look at Southwest’s financials, the changes appear to be successful. The carrier is recording higher profits than in prior years, and it’s now going back on the offensive.
