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Southwest CEO Confirms Hawaii Routes are a High Priority

May 18, 2017
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2 min read
Southwest CEO Confirms Hawaii Routes are a High Priority
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Now that Southwest's reservation system is fully switched over to Amadeus, the airline can now start planning flights and routes that it hasn't been able to operate in the past. High on the priority list: flights to Hawaii.

Since Southwest's old reservation program couldn't effectively deal with date changes, the airline would've been very limited on flights to and from the fiftieth state. Now, unburdened by these restrictions, it looks like Hawaii is in the plans for 2018.

Yesterday, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly told reporters at the airline's annual shareholder meeting that "We're deciding what our plans are for 2018 and Hawaii is important to us." Pressed for details about adding flights to the schedule in 2017, Kelly clarified: "We still have a lot of work to do and we don't have a committed work plan yet on Hawaii ... but it's pretty high on the priority list."

However, the details of how and where are already being speculated about. The Arizona Republic reported that Southwest would use its new longer-range 737 MAX aircraft for West Coast routes to Hawaii. Although Southwest was the launch customer of the 737 MAX, Southwest won't take delivery of its first 737 MAX aircraft until October. So, Hawaii flights would have to be scheduled after this date.

H/T: Pacific Business News

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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