Flights to Hawaii have suddenly become affordable for a whole new segment of travelers. On Monday morning, Dallas-based low cost carrier Southwest Airlinesfrom the continental United States to the Hawaiian Islands, bringing with it the signature low prices for which the airline is known.
Deeply-discounted fares on the carrier from Oakland to Honolulu started at $49 one way and even the carrier's modestly-priced $99"wanna get away" fares were still yielding round trip tickets for under $200. By contrast, airfares on competing carriers that morning were returning round trip fares of over $400.
That narrative started to change through the day as competitors caught on and raced to match or beat Southwest's fares. Midday, San Francisco-based aviation reporter Chris McGinnis was among the first to notice that American Airlines had lowered a portion of its round trip Hawaii fares from the Bay Area to $275.
American Air first responder to Southwest-Hawaii bombshell- just posted $275 roundtrip basic economy fares Calif-Hawaii- see updates>
Hmmm
So 737-300s can fly halfway to Hawaii on one engine? Interesting.