Southwest Airlines has announced a new nonstop route connecting Hilo on Hawaii’s Big Island with Las Vegas, further expanding the carrier’s growing network between the Hawaiian Islands and the mainland United States.
The new service is scheduled to launch on August 6, 2026, and will operate three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, offering a direct link between two destinations with strong leisure and family travel demand.
Westbound flights from Las Vegas will depart at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time and arrive in Hilo at 12:35 p.m. local time, while eastbound flights will leave Hilo at 8:45 p.m. and land in Las Vegas at 5:10 a.m. the following morning. The schedule is designed to maximize connectivity, allowing travelers arriving in Las Vegas to easily connect onward to dozens of other destinations served by Southwest from its Nevada hub.
Las Vegas has become one of Southwest’s most important operating bases, with the airline offering nonstop service to roughly 75 destinations and operating hundreds of daily departures. By linking Hilo directly to Las Vegas, Southwest is positioning the route as both a point-to-point option for Big Island travelers and a convenient gateway to the rest of its domestic network. For residents of eastern Hawaii, the new flights eliminate the need to connect through Honolulu, saving time and simplifying mainland travel.
Ahead of the full launch, Southwest plans to operate a limited preview of the route timed around the Merrie Monarch Festival, one of the Big Island’s most significant cultural events. Special nonstop flights will operate in April, giving travelers an early opportunity to experience the new service while supporting demand during one of Hilo’s busiest periods of the year. The preview also allows the airline to test operations and gauge interest before the regular schedule begins.
Southwest has served Hilo International Airport since January 2020, gradually building a presence focused on inter-island and mainland connectivity. The addition of Las Vegas marks one of the most significant expansions at the airport since the airline’s arrival and reflects sustained demand from both local residents and visitors. Hilo has long been seen as underserved compared to other Hawaiian gateways, and the new route represents a meaningful boost in access for the eastern side of the island.
The airline also highlighted ongoing onboard enhancements across its Hawaii-based fleet, including in-seat power, improved overhead bin space, and expanded extra-legroom seating options. These upgrades align with Southwest’s broader evolution as it adapts its product for longer-haul leisure markets while maintaining its core focus on value and customer-friendly service.
For Hawaii travelers, the new nonstop flights promise faster access to the mainland, greater choice, and more flexibility. For Southwest, the Hilo–Las Vegas route underscores its continued confidence in Hawaii as a key growth market and signals further expansion opportunities still to come.