Southwest Airlines is dropping 17 nonstop routes in the U.S. in January, moving the planes to routes with more demand and profit, including its new services to and within Hawaii.
Of course, while it was not mentioned in the announcement, the continuing delay in returning 737 MAX aircraft to service may play a role in the decision, too. The routes being dropped include four from Los Angeles, three each from Boston, Dallas Love Field and Orlando and one each from Fort Lauderdale, New York LaGuardia, Columbus, Ohio and Austin, Texas.
Meanwhile, Southwest has been steadily expanding and promoting its Hawaii services, including $99 promotional prices. And, it is adding new routes within the islands, putting an end to the virtual monopoly Hawaiian Airlines has had on inter-island flights.
