Routes From The U.S. West Coast Could Be Available As Early As March

Southwest Airlines has completed its first validation flight between California and Hawaii.

The flight was conducted with a Boeing 737-800 with no passengers on board on Tuesday. The plane landed at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

Southwest spokesman Brian Parrish said in a statement to USA Today in the Sky prior to the flight that the validation flight was "not a regular, scheduled flight and only FAA Representatives along with Southwest ETOPS Program Team Representatives and ETOPS-trained Southwest Pilots will be onboard to demonstrate our long range navigation and communication procedures and equipment."

The carrier's first ever touchdown in the Hawaiian Islands comes as part of Southwest's authorization process with the FAA to offer future scheduled service to Hawaii.

Southwest says that while specific routes are not yet available for purchase, the airline's initial intention is to begin Hawaii nonstop service from Oakland (OAK), San Diego (SAN), San Jose (SJC), and Sacramento (SMF), subject to required government approvals. From California, passengers can reach Honolulu, HI (Oahu), Kahului, HI (Maui), Kona, HI (Island of Hawaii), and Lihue, HI (Kauai).

Southwest says it also intends to provide interisland service as well.

(Image provided with Southwest Airlines news release)

FMI: www.southwest.com