Southwest Airlines has launched a new pre-clearance service for customers traveling to Hawaii from California. The program allows eligible passengers to bypass mandatory airport screening upon arrival in Honolulu on Oahu and Kahului on Maui. This convenience is available to travelers who have completed specific health and travel requirements before leaving the mainland.
To qualify, passengers must upload a negative COVID-19 test result, complete a health questionnaire, and provide detailed travel information to the State of Hawaii’s Safe Travels program. The test must be taken within 72 hours of departure and obtained from a state-approved provider. Travelers must also list flight details and lodging information for every adult in their profile.
Southwest customer service agents will verify these documents at the gate starting 90 minutes before departure. This pre-departure check helps ensure a faster arrival process once the plane lands in Hawaii. The service is currently available at five California airports with nonstop flights to the islands: Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, San Diego, and Long Beach.
Tony Roach, Southwest’s managing director of customer experience, stated that the process is designed to help passengers begin their Hawaii experience more quickly. He noted that the airline’s value extends beyond low fares to include customer satisfaction and streamlined travel procedures.
Southwest has partnered with CityHealth Urgent Care to offer affordable COVID-19 testing for $20 at locations in Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, Long Beach, and downtown San Francisco. These tests provide results within 48 hours and meet state requirements. The airline also lists other testing providers on its website.
With the addition of Long Beach, Southwest now operates 14 daily flights to Hawaii from its five California gateways. Nonstop service between Lihue on Kauai and the Bay Area is scheduled to resume on June 6, 2021. The airline also provides 24 daily interisland departures within Hawaii using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
