Southwest Airlines is bringing nonstop mainland air service back to Hilo, Hawaii, ending a three-year gap and reshaping travel access for the eastern side of the Big Island. Beginning Aug. 6, the airline will launch a new nonstop route between Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport and Hilo International Airport, offering travelers a direct option that has been absent since early 2023.
The three-times-weekly service makes Southwest the only airline currently providing nonstop flights between Hilo and the U.S. mainland. The move underscores the carrier’s expanding commitment to Hawaii while addressing long-standing connectivity challenges for residents and visitors traveling to the island’s less-developed side.
New Nonstop Service Launches August 6
Southwest will operate the Las Vegas–Hilo route three days per week, with flights scheduled on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Departures from Las Vegas will leave at 9:30 a.m. and arrive in Hilo at 12:35 p.m. local time. Return flights will depart Hilo at 8:45 p.m. and land in Las Vegas at 5:10 a.m. the following day.
The schedule is designed to accommodate both leisure travelers and Hawaii residents, allowing for convenient weekend getaways and smoother connections to Southwest’s extensive domestic network through Las Vegas. As one of the airline’s largest operational hubs, Las Vegas offers access to dozens of U.S. cities, making it a strategic gateway for Hilo travelers.
Filling a Three-Year Connectivity Gap
Hilo has lacked nonstop mainland service since United Airlines ended its Los Angeles route in early 2023. Since then, passengers traveling to or from Hilo have had to rely on inter-island flights through Honolulu or Kona, often extending travel times and increasing costs.
The absence of direct service placed Hilo at a competitive disadvantage compared with other Hawaii airports, particularly Kona, which continues to support multiple mainland routes. Southwest’s entry restores a critical air link and reduces reliance on connecting itineraries for both residents and visitors.
By reintroducing nonstop access, the Las Vegas route simplifies travel logistics and enhances Hilo’s appeal as a gateway to the Big Island’s eastern and northern regions, including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and surrounding rural communities.
Strategic Value of the Las Vegas Gateway
Las Vegas plays a central role in Southwest’s Hawaii strategy. The airline already operates multiple nonstop flights from Las Vegas to other Hawaiian destinations, and the Hilo route becomes its fifth such connection.
The city’s position as a major western U.S. hub allows Southwest to funnel travelers from across its domestic network onto Hawaii-bound flights without relying on traditional coastal gateways. This strategy supports higher aircraft utilization and gives customers more routing options.
For Hilo, the Las Vegas connection strengthens ties with a mainland city that has long-standing cultural and economic links to Hawaii. Las Vegas is a popular destination for Hawaii residents and a consistent source of inbound tourism, particularly from the western United States.
Expanding Southwest’s Footprint in Hawaii
The new route complements Southwest’s existing operations at Hilo, where the airline already runs multiple daily inter-island flights to Honolulu. These services provide additional connectivity within the state and allow travelers arriving from Las Vegas to easily access other Hawaiian islands.
More broadly, Southwest has signaled continued growth in the Aloha State. The carrier recently announced plans to add new mainland routes to Honolulu from several Southern California markets beginning next summer, further expanding its transpacific network.
Hilo, with a population of about 45,000, offers a quieter alternative to resort-heavy destinations like Kona. Improved air access could gradually increase visitor numbers while maintaining the area’s smaller-town character and slower pace of development.
Bottom Line
Southwest Airlines’ new nonstop route between Las Vegas and Hilo restores direct mainland connectivity to eastern Hawaii after a three-year absence. The service shortens travel times, strengthens regional ties, and positions Las Vegas as a renewed gateway for Hilo travelers.
For Southwest, the route reinforces its growing presence in Hawaii and highlights the airline’s focus on underserved markets. For Hilo, it marks a significant step forward in accessibility, economic opportunity, and long-term aviation relevance.
