Southwest Airlines starting service Oakland- Honolulu today without passengers

Hawaii is no longer a luxury destination. With four low-cost carriers now serving the Aloha State, Southwest Airlines is getting closer to launching its long-anticipated service to Hawaii.

The carrier plans to make its first flight to the state today – without passengers.

The flight from Oakland, California, to Honolulu, will be a proving flight that’s part of Southwest’s effort to secure the “ETOPS” certification it needs from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate long overwater flights with its two-engine Boeing 737 jets.

Only FAA Representatives along with Southwest ETOPS Program Team Representatives and ETOPS-trained Southwest Pilots will be onboard to demonstrate the carriers long range navigation and communication procedures and equipment.

source: eTN