Southwest Airlines to offer nonstop service between Las Vegas and Hilo starting in 2026

Southwest Airlines will begin nonstop service between Las Vegas at the Hilo International Airport beginning Aug. 6, 2026.

Southwest has scheduled the mainland service on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, alongside the carrier’s five-times-daily Honolulu (O‘ahu) interisland service that offers onward connections daily both across the islands and to North America.

These new flights are on sale now through Southwest.com.

“We heard you, Hilo,” said Adam Decaire, Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President Network Planning and Network Operations Control. “Las Vegas is important to you, and you’re important to us. This service gets you faster to family and fun in Nevada, where you also can access easy connections on Southwest to many of the 75 places that we serve nonstop from Las Vegas with as many 272 departures a day.”

Southwest will offer special service between Las Vegas and Hilo during the 2026 Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, which runs from April 5-11. Two flights are scheduled during the event.

The first is for April 9, 2026, departing from Las Vegas at 9:25 a.m. and arriving in Hilo at 12:30 p.m. The second flight is scheduled on April 12, departing Hilo at 9:50 a.m. and arriving back in the desert state at 6:25 p.m.

These flights are also now available at Southwest.com.

“We timed this special celebration flight eastbound to allow people attending the end of the festival same-day connections broadly across western North America, as far east as St. Louis, and to be able to reach other airports along the east coast through overnight service from Las Vegas,” Decaire said.

Southwest began operating at Hilo International Airport on Jan. 19, 2020, and has continually offered interisland service.

“When I took office, I pledged to strengthen ties with the ‘Ninth Island’ — Las Vegas, where many Hawaiʻi-born residents live. Southwest’s renewed service shows its dedication,” said Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda. “Quicker flights across the Pacific means more convenience for our local families and another chance to support our hometown airline.”

Steve Hill, CEO and president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said their agency is thrilled to see this expanded service at Southwest.

“Las Vegas has long been known as the ‘Ninth Island,’ and this new route strengthens the deep connection we share with the people of Hawai‘i,” Hill said. “Each new nonstop flight makes it even easier to visit Las Vegas and experience everything our destination has to offer.”