(KGTV) - Southwest Airlines announced Wednesday it will sell tickets for flights to Hawaii starting in 2018.
Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly told thousands of employees at a company gathering at Universal Studios Hollywood that the service would start next year.
“The day is finally here that we can say we’re going to add some Aloha to our world-famous Hospitality,” Kelly wrote in a statement on the Southwest Airlines website.
Today!https://t.co/4Bz0OfQsCX https://t.co/1ayUzEnlpY
— Southwest Airlines (@SouthwestAir) October 12, 2017
"A day long-awaited by our Customers, fans, and more than 55,000 of the world's most-loved airline Employees is finally within sight—a day that will showcase your Hospitality, about as far Southwest as you can go in the U.S.," said Kelly. "Hawaii is an important place for Southwest Airlines because so many people count on us to take them everywhere they want to go reliably and affordably. We're ready and excited to address a request we've heard for years."
Southwest President Tom Nealon took part in the announcement via satellite from Waikiki Beach with Hawaii Governor David Ige.
BREAKING: Welcoming @southwestair to the islands! We can’t wait to welcome your `ohana to experience our people, place and culture ?? pic.twitter.com/jaqIZNmnkU
— Governor David Ige (@GovHawaii) October 12, 2017
The company's aircraft and available seat miles plans for 2018 are unchanged with the announcement, according to the airline’s website.
