Southwest Adding Hawaii to LGB Trips

Long Beach Airport (LGB) will be Southwest Airlines’ only LA metro-area gateway for flying to and from Hawaii.

The air carrier, which became the dominant air company at LGB following Jet Blue’s departure to LAX in October, will provide once-daily, nonstop flights between Long Beach and Honolulu starting March 11, 2021, with fares as low as $99 one way.

The news from Southwest came as part of a nationwide schedule announcement as the airline tries to adapt to fluctuating demand due to the ongoing pandemic, according to a city press release. Leisure travel appears to be recovering more quickly than business travel, the release added.

“Long Beach is such a natural Southern California gateway for Southwest service to and from Hawaii, pairing our flexibility and value with the amenities and cool coastal vibe of the airport,” Southwest Airlines Vice President of Network Planning Adam Decaire, said in a city press release statement.

“In this season of gratitude, we’re grateful for a partnership with the City of Long Beach that puts Hawaii in sight and looks forward to a time when travel demand will support bringing additional service on Southwest.”

Other California airports added to Southwest’s list of nonstop, Hawaiian flights include Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento and San Diego, the airline said in a company press release.

Also on March 11, Southwest will reinstate international flights from John Wayne Airport with once-daily service to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Southwest began service at LGB in 2016 and steadily increased its service as flight slots became available, according to a city press release. With Southwest taking on Jet Blue’s 17 slots at LGB, Southwest went from 17 to 34 flight slots at the historic airfield, making it the main air carrier at LGB.

Hawaiian Airlines also flies out of LGB with nonstop flights to Honolulu. That airline will relaunch service on Dec. 16, according to a city press release.

American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are the other two air carriers that serve LGB.

Regarding Southwest’s announcement, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said in a press release statement:

“Southwest Airlines continues to be an important partner at Long Beach Airport. Our airport is a key economic engine for our city and this is positive news for our financial recovery. We expect even more good news soon.”

The airline is expected to announce additional new destinations in the coming weeks, according to the city press release, which noted that Southwest currently is only operating about 16 daily flights, but that more flights will come online as demand for air travel returns.

“We are thrilled to be selected as the first airport in the Los Angeles metropolitan area to offer direct Southwest flights to Hawaii,” Long Beach Airport Director Cynthia Guidry said in the press release. “We believe there is no better way to start your Hawaiian vacation than with our open air concourse and resort-like atmosphere.”

kirt@beachcomber.news