Southwest Airlines launches nonstop Hilo-to-Vegas route

HAWAII TRIBUNE HERALD / 2021

The new nonstop route from Hilo to Las Vegas will start Aug. 6 and operate Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, according to Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines has announced it is launching new direct flights from Hilo to Las Vegas.

The new nonstop route starts Aug. 6, and will initially operate Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, according to a Southwest news release Friday.

The Hilo-bound flights will depart Las Vegas at 9:30 a.m. and arrive at 12:35 p.m. The Las Vegas-bound flights will depart Hilo at 8:45 p.m. and arrive the next morning at 5:10 a.m. The new flights are on sale at Southwest.com.

“We heard you, Hilo,” Adam Decaire, Southwest Airlines senior vice president network planning and network operations control, said in the news release. “Las Vegas is important to you, and you’re important to us.”

Mayor Kimo Alameda praised the addition of the new route. “When I took office, I pledged to strengthen ties with the ‘Ninth Island’ — Las Vegas, where many Hawaii-born residents live,” he said in the news release. “Southwest’s renewed service shows its dedication. Quicker flights across the Pacific means more convenience for our local families and another chance to support our hometown airline.”

In support of halau and attendees of Merrie Monarch Festival 2026, Southwest officials said the airline also is offering special service between Las Vegas and Hilo, and additional interisland service. The flights are:

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>> Thursday, April 9: Depart Las Vegas at 9:25 a.m.; arrive Hilo at 12:30 p.m.

>> Sunday, April 12: Depart Hilo at 9:50 a.m.; arrive Las Vegas at 6:25 p.m.

“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.

See more:BusinessEditors' PicksHawaii islandTransportation

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