Southwest Airlines is set to bridge the desert and the tropics with a new route connecting Las Vegas and Hilo, three years after the Big Island lost direct mainland air service.
Launching Aug. 6, 2026, the new nonstop flights will operate three times a week—Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays—with tickets already on sale.
Southwest currently offers interisland flights from Hilo to Honolulu but does not link Hilo to the mainland.
Airline officials noted the large Hawaiian population in Las Vegas and said the new route will help families visit each other and stay connected, while also supporting business and leisure travel.
“When I took office, I pledged to strengthen ties with the ‘Ninth Island’—Las Vegas, where many Hawaii-born residents live. Southwest’s renewed service shows its dedication,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda, Hawaii County in a media statement. “Quicker flights across the Pacific means more convenience for our local families and another chance to support our hometown airline.”
“We’re thrilled to see Southwest Airlines expand its service with new nonstop flights between Las Vegas and Hilo,” said Steve Hill, CEO and president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Las Vegas has long been known as the ‘Ninth Island,’ and this new route strengthens the deep connection we share with the people of Hawaii. Each new nonstop flight makes it even easier to visit Las Vegas and experience everything our destination has to offer.”
Hilo lost its last nonstop connection to the U.S. mainland in 2023, when United terminated its service from Los Angeles.
Southwest also plans to operate special one-off flights for Hawaii’s Merrie Monarch Festival in April 2026. The carrier will fly from Las Vegas to Hilo on April 9 and from Hilo back to Las Vegas on April 12.
Southwest Connects to Istanbul
In other Southwest connection news, the airline recently announced a partnership with Turkish Airlines to offer travelers around the globe one-ticket, transatlantic journeys between the United States and Istanbul, unlocking onward connections across both carriers’ networks. The service begins in early 2026.
Turkish Airlines flies to more than 350 destinations in 132 countries from its global hub, Istanbul Airport, including 10 airports in the U.S. served by Southwest. International travelers will be able to seamlessly connect through those shared gateway airports on tickets that will become available next year through Turkish Airlines, travel agents, and travel websites.
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