Southwest Just Made It Easier to Visit Hilo, Hawaii, With New Nonstop Flights

Southwest Airlines will launch new service connecting Las Vegas and Hilo, Hawaii, next year, making it easier to reach the gem on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Starting Aug. 6, 2026, Southwest will fly three times per week between Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) and Hilo International Airport (ITO), according to the airline. The flight will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

“We heard you, Hilo,” Adam Decaire, Southwest’s Airlines senior vice president of network planning and network operations control, said in a statement. “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 said the new flight will compliment the inter-island service the carrier currently operates five times per day between Hilo and Honolulu. One-way fares between Las Vegas and Hilo start at $292, according to a Travel + Leisure Google Flights search.

Located on the eastern side of Hawaii’s Big Island, Hilo is known for its beautiful hiking trails, proximity to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and charming downtown boasting wooden storefronts.

“Hilo is a beautiful destination with small-town charm that offers tons of adventure, and is intertwined with many different cultures that make it a special destination,” Shawn Pila, the owner of Hilo-based The Surf Cottage, told T+L.

Beyond the new flights to Hilo, Southwest operates service from the mainland to Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai, along with Kona International Airport (KOA) on the other side of Hawaii’s Big Island.

Southwest Airlines has also expanded internationally. Starting next year, the airline will partner with Turkish Airlines, according to the carrier, providing loyal Southwest customers access to hundreds of additional destinations. It compliments Southwest’s partnership with Icelandic carrier Icelandair as well as its partnerships with China Airlines, Condor Airlines, EVA Air, and Philippine Airlines.

The decision to expand service in Hawaii comes on the heels of major changes at Southwest, including the carrier’s efforts to revamp its Boeing MAX 8 jets complete with larger overhead bins, adjustable headrest cushions, a personal device holder, and dual USB-A and USB-C power ports. The airline also ended its long-standing free checked bag policy earlier this year, changed its plus-size seating policy, and will debut a brand-new reserved seating system in 2026.