Southwest Airlines is preparing to launch one of its most notable new Hawaii routes of 2026, connecting Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) in California with Honolulu International Airport (HNL). The new nonstop service will begin on August 8, giving Southern California travelers a direct alternative to the traditionally dominant Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) gateway for flights to Hawaii.
The new route represents a major step for Southwest at Burbank, as the airline introduces its longest-ever nonstop service from the airport. Covering approximately 2,225 nautical miles (4,121 kilometers) each way, the flight will have a scheduled block time of up to five hours and 40 minutes, placing it among the longest routes operated from BUR.
Southwest Airlines Expands Hawaii Network With New Burbank-Honolulu Flights
The upcoming Burbank to Honolulu route has an interesting history because nonstop service between these two airports has been unavailable for many years. According to US Department of Transportation data, the airport pair previously saw operations from Aloha Airlines between 2002 and 2005, when Boeing 737-700 aircraft were used on the route.
After a gap of more than two decades, the market returned when Alaska Airlines launched its own Burbank-Honolulu service in May 2026. Southwest’s arrival shortly afterward creates a rare situation where two major US airlines compete directly on a route that had no nonstop options for years.
The timing highlights Southwest’s continued effort to adjust its network and pursue opportunities where customer demand may have been limited by inconvenient travel options rather than a lack of interest. Many travelers in the Burbank catchment area previously had to drive to LAX because it offered far more Hawaii flight choices.
Southwest’s new service will initially operate on Saturdays. The schedule is expected to continue through October, while frequency may increase during the winter period, with operational plans showing between two and six weekly flights depending on the month.
Boeing 737 MAX 8 Selected for Southwest’s Longest Burbank Route
Southwest will operate the new Hawaii service exclusively with its 175-seat Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet. The aircraft has become an important part of Southwest’s long-haul domestic strategy, allowing the airline to operate longer routes while maintaining the single-aircraft-family approach that has defined its business model.
The aircraft choice reflects the operational advantages of the 737 MAX 8, including improved fuel efficiency compared with older narrowbody aircraft and the range capability required for long transpacific flights from the US mainland to Hawaii.
The schedule in August shows Southwest departing Burbank at 8:40 AM local time, arriving in Honolulu at 11:20 AM local time after a flight lasting about five hours and 40 minutes. The return flight leaves Honolulu at 1:40 PM and arrives in Burbank at 9:55 PM, with a scheduled duration of approximately five hours and 15 minutes.
These timings are designed to provide a full afternoon arrival window in Hawaii while allowing passengers returning to California to arrive the same evening.
Southwest Faces Competition From Alaska Airlines in Hawaii Market
Southwest will not be entering the market alone. Alaska Airlines already operates the same airport pair, creating direct competition between two airlines with strong West Coast networks.
Alaska currently offers daily service during part of the summer season using its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with 161 seats. The airline plans to return in the following spring with daily operations using the larger Boeing 737-900ER, which has approximately 173 seats.
The competition between Southwest and Alaska is especially notable because both carriers have expanded their presence across the western United States. Hawaii has traditionally been a key leisure market for West Coast airlines, and additional nonstop options could help stimulate demand among travelers who previously avoided the inconvenience of connecting flights.
Although official passenger data shows fewer than 5,000 round-trip travelers between Burbank and Honolulu in the 12 months through April 2026, that figure does not fully represent the potential market. The lack of nonstop service forced many passengers to use LAX, making the true demand for a Burbank option difficult to measure.
Burbank Airport Remains a Key Southwest Hub in Southern California
Southwest has maintained a strong position at Hollywood Burbank Airport for decades. Between May 2025 and April 2026, the airline carried approximately 3.4 million round-trip passengers at BUR and accounted for around 56% of the airport’s scheduled activity.
However, Southwest’s traffic at Burbank declined compared with the previous year. Several route reductions contributed to the decrease, including the end of services to destinations such as Eugene, Kansas City, New Orleans, Portland, and San Antonio.
The Honolulu route is part of Southwest’s broader effort to reshape its Burbank network by adding destinations with stronger leisure appeal. The airline recently introduced another new route from BUR to Santa Rosa, while Alaska Airlines has also increased competition in several overlapping markets.
Southwest Continues Building Its Hawaii Presence
Southwest entered the Hawaii market in 2019 and has gradually expanded its mainland-to-islands network. In the 12 months ending April 2026, the airline carried approximately 2.2 million passengers between the US mainland and Hawaii, making it the fifth-largest carrier in the market.
The airline’s Hawaii operation remains a relatively small part of its overall network, accounting for about 1% of total Southwest traffic. However, routes such as Las Vegas-Honolulu have demonstrated strong demand, with Las Vegas becoming one of the airline’s most important Hawaii markets.
The new Burbank-Honolulu service follows Southwest’s strategy of targeting underserved city pairs rather than simply competing in the largest airport markets. By offering nonstop Hawaii flights from a smaller Southern California airport, the airline hopes to attract passengers seeking convenience, easier airport access, and an alternative to the congestion of LAX.
As Southwest begins operations in August, the Burbank-Honolulu route will become a significant test of whether smaller airports can successfully support long-distance Hawaii flights. If demand proves strong, the service could encourage further network expansion and increase competition in one of the most popular leisure travel markets in the United States.
