Southwest May End Two Hawaii Nonstop Routes Early. Here’s What Travelers Should Know.

Hawaii travel news can change quickly. Always confirm current details with official sources before making travel plans.

Southwest Airlines may be ending two nonstop Hawaii routes about two months earlier than previously planned.

New aviation-industry reporting suggests Southwest’s nonstop flights between Maui and Kona, and between Maui and Kauai, could stop after January 5, 2027, instead of March 10.

Southwest hasn’t confirmed the earlier cutoff directly, and some flight schedules still show departures beyond that date.

So if you’re planning to visit more than one island in early 2027, here’s what I’d pay attention to.

Which Southwest Hawaii Flights Are Affected?

The reported changes involve two routes:

• Maui (OGG) to Kona (KOA): Nonstop service between Maui and Hawaii Island.

• Maui (OGG) to Lihue (LIH): Nonstop service between Maui and Kauai.

Aviation reporting published November 2 and 3 says Southwest’s revised schedule shows both routes operating through January 5, with no additional nonstop flights scheduled afterward.

This follows an earlier round of Hawaii route cuts identified in July 2026. The latest reports suggest Southwest may be moving the end dates forward.

One thing worth pointing out: This doesn’t mean flights between these islands are disappearing altogether. Other airlines operate these routes.

And while the latest reports point to January 5, the exact cutoff still needs confirmation from Southwest.

What Does This Mean for Your Hawaii Trip?

If you’re planning to visit just one island, this probably won’t affect you.

But if your itinerary includes Maui and either Kauai or Hawaii Island, you should check your flight options before locking in your hotels and rental cars.

Here’s why.

A nonstop interisland flight might take less than an hour. But if your only available itinerary involves connecting through Honolulu, you’ve added another airport stop and potentially more time to your travel day.

And moving between islands already takes more time than the flight itself suggests.

You have hotel checkout, getting to the airport, checking bags, going through security, picking up another rental car, and checking into your next hotel.

It’s a lot of moving parts for what looks like a quick flight.

That’s why I usually recommend spending enough time on each island to make the extra travel day worthwhile.

Already Booked a Southwest Flight for 2027?

First, don’t cancel anything just because of these reports.

Instead, log into your Southwest account and check your reservation.

Look for three things:

1. Your flight number and departure time. Has either changed?

2. The number of stops. Is your original nonstop now showing a connection?

3. Your arrival time. Does the revised itinerary still work with your hotel, rental car, or other reservations?

Southwest’s published schedule-change policy offers several options when the airline significantly changes an itinerary.

You may be able to accept a new flight, change your travel date or time, or request a refund if the changes meet its policy.

Here’s an especially important detail: Southwest says adding a connection to a previously nonstop itinerary is one of the changes that can qualify you for a refund to your original payment method if you choose not to travel.

So don’t assume you’re stuck with a connecting flight if you originally paid for a nonstop.

Check your specific reservation and the options Southwest provides before making changes.

What Other Airlines Fly Between These Islands?

Southwest isn’t the only option for these routes.

Alaska and Hawaiian offer nonstop flights between Maui and both Kona and Lihue, although specific schedules and fares depend on your dates.

Mokulele Airlines also restored nonstop service between Kona and Kahului on October 1, 2026, with two daily flights in each direction.

Keep in mind that Mokulele uses smaller commuter aircraft, so you’ll want to compare baggage rules and the overall travel experience before booking.

If you’re putting together a multi-island vacation, compare the available nonstop flights first. A slightly cheaper connecting itinerary isn’t always worth losing more of your vacation day.

You can also read my Hawaii island-hopping guide for help deciding whether visiting multiple islands makes sense for your trip.

Is Southwest Leaving Hawaii?

No. These reports concern two specific nonstop routes connecting Maui with Kauai and Kona.

They do not establish that Southwest is ending all interisland flights or withdrawing from Hawaii.

The airline continues to advertise other Hawaii routes, including service through Honolulu.

The question is whether these particular Maui nonstop flights will remain available after January 5.

What I’d Do Before Booking

If I were planning an early 2027 Hawaii trip that included Maui and another island, I’d compare all the available flight options before booking the rest of my itinerary.

I’d pay particular attention to the difference between a nonstop flight and a connecting itinerary.

And if I’d already booked one of these Southwest routes, I’d check my reservation directly with the airline before making any changes.

The key thing to remember is that these schedule cuts have been reported by aviation analysts, but Southwest has not yet provided direct confirmation of the new cutoff date.

Until that happens, January 5 should be treated as a reported schedule change, not a final airline announcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Southwest ending flights between Maui and Kona?

Southwest may end its nonstop flights between Kahului (OGG) and Kona (KOA) after January 5, 2027. Aviation industry reports indicate the airline moved up its planned route cuts, but Southwest has not directly confirmed the new date. Other airlines still offer flights between the islands.

Is Southwest canceling nonstop flights between Maui and Kauai?

Recent aviation reports suggest Southwest’s nonstop flights between Kahului (OGG) and Lihue (LIH) could end after January 5, 2027, instead of March 10. The earlier date has not been independently confirmed by Southwest. Travelers should check the airline’s current schedule before booking.

Is Southwest Airlines leaving Hawaii?

No. The reported changes involve two specific nonstop routes connecting Maui with Kona and Kauai. Southwest continues to advertise other flights serving Hawaii, including service through Honolulu. There is no indication that the airline is ending all Hawaii operations.

What happens if Southwest changes my nonstop flight to a connecting flight?

If Southwest replaces your nonstop flight with a connecting itinerary, you may qualify for a refund to your original payment method if you choose not to travel. You may also have rebooking options. Check your reservation and Southwest’s schedule-change policy before accepting changes or canceling your flight.

Which airlines still offer nonstop flights between Maui, Kauai, and Kona?

Alaska and Hawaiian offer nonstop service between Maui and both Kona and Lihue, depending on the travel date. Mokulele Airlines also restored nonstop Kona–Kahului service in October 2026. Compare schedules, baggage policies, and total costs before booking.

Should I change my Hawaii travel plans because of Southwest’s flight cuts?

Not necessarily. If you’re traveling between Maui and Kona or Kauai after January 5, 2027, check your reservation and available nonstop options. Don’t cancel a confirmed flight based only on reports of schedule changes. Southwest has not yet directly confirmed the earlier cutoff date.

Sources

• Aviation Shop, Southwest Cuts 10 Routes From Its Already-Published Early-2027 Schedule, November 3, 2026. 

• Enilria, Southwest Big Route Changes, July 16, 2026.

• Southwest Airlines, Southwest Changed My Flight. 

• Southwest Airlines, Flights to Hawaii. 

• Mokulele Airlines, Kona-Kahului Is Back, October 2, 2026.