A little more than four years ago, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) took delivery of its first 737-800 from Boeing. This was significant because it was the company’s first airplane capable of long over-water flights.
Ever since then, travelers, investors, and analysts have wondered whether and when Southwest might start flying to Hawaii. To some extent, Southwest Airlines executives have encouraged this, having mentioned Hawaii as a possible future destination numerous times in the past few years when discussing the company’s growth prospects.