Southwest Airlines Offers Long Beach-Maui Flights As Low As $99

LONG BEACH, CA — Southwest Airlines on Thursday announced plans to offer nonstop service between Long Beach Airport and Maui with one-way flights as low as $99.

Southwest recently announced flights from Long Beach to Honolulu, and demand was surprisingly high, prompting the airline to offer a second Hawaiian destination out Long Beach. Service to both Hawaiian destinations will begin in March. Tickets for the Maui flights went on sale Thursday.

"It's exciting to see our airport continue to grow in its role as a Southern California launch point for trips to the Hawaiian islands," Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said in a statement.

A quick search showed some one-way flights available for as low as $99.

Since JetBlue pulled out of Long Beach, Southwest has filled the void, taking over terminal space vacated by JetBlue. The airport is a favorite among locals eager to avoid the crowds and lines at larger airports such as Los Angeles International Airport and John Wayne Airport in Orange County. JetBlue's decision to pull out was a major blow, but Southwest's offerings have opened up additional destinations for local travelers.

City officials reminded potential travelers, however, of continuing restrictions on visiting Hawaii due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hawaii requires visitors and returning residents to obtain a negative COVID test within 72 hours of their departure to the islands. With the test, people arriving in Hawaii will face a mandatory quarantine.

Southwest Airlines is one of four carriers at Long Beach Airport that offer a total of 53 daily flights. By March, Southwest will operate about 25 flights per day, rising to 34 in April.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.