FLIGHTSSouthwest Airlines launches Hawaii flightsSandy HooperUSA TODAYHula dancers from Hapa Hula performed during Southwest Airlines' inaugural Hawaiian flight to Honolulu out of Oakland, California.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYSouthwest Airlines' inaugural flight to Hawaii was from Oakland to Honolulu March 17. The airline is planning more routes from California to the Hawaiian Islands, and even inter-island routes, over the next several months. A gate agent checked in passengers at Oakland International Airport.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYThe airplane that was used for Southwest Airlines' inaugural flight to Hawaii from Oakland International Airport was a Boeing 737-800.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYSouthwest decorated Gate 4 at Oakland International for the airline's inaugural flight to Hawaii.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYThe flight from Oakland to Honolulu takes 5 hours, 50 minutes, according to Southwest's website.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYHapa Hula dancers kept everyone at the gate entertained.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYAnd they got folks in the mood to be. in. Hawaii.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYAndrew Watterson, executive VP and chief revenue officer of Southwest, gave a speech during the festivities, before folks got to board the inaugural Hawaiian flight.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYDaniel and Anna Akaka offered a blessing ceremony at Oakland International Airport for Southwest Airlines' Hawaiian flights.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYCapt. Michael Styer and Capt. Rob Evers piloted Southwest Airlines' first official flight from Oakland to Honolulu.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYThen passengers finally got to board.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYOnce everyone was onboard, Capt. Styer offered a greeting.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYSouthwest Airlines gifted Honolulu passengers a pin and luggage tag to commemorate the flight.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYSouthwest Airlines debuted a new snack box on its inaugural flight to Hawaii.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYSouthwest Airlines debuted a new snack box on its inaugural flight to Hawaii.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYSouthwest Airlines debuted a new snack box on its inaugural flight to Hawaii.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYSouthwest Airlines featured new beverage offerings on its inaugural flight to Hawaii.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYHulu dancers from Hapa Hula perform during Southwest Airlines' inaugural Hawaiian flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, out of Oakland, California.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYHulu dancers from Hapa Hula perform during Southwest Airlines' inaugural Hawaiian flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, out of Oakland, California.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYHulu dancers from Hapa Hula perform during Southwest Airlines' inaugural Hawaiian flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, out of Oakland, California.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYHulu dancers from Hapa Hula perform during Southwest Airlines' inaugural Hawaiian flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, out of Oakland, California.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYSouthwest Airlines' inaugural Hawaii flight arrives at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu on Sunday.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYPassenger Jolyn Ching lets out a yell as she disembarks from Southwest Airlines' inaugural Hawaii flight to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu on Sunday.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYPassengers on Southwest Airlines' inaugural Hawaii flight are greeted with leis as they arrive at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYPassengers from Oakland, California, were all smiles as they were greeted with leis in Honolulu.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYHawaii Governor David Ige greets passengers on Southwest Airlines' inaugural Hawaii flight at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYSouthwest Airlines President Tom Nealon greets passengers of the airline's inaugural flight to Hawaii as they arrive in Honolulu.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYSouthwest Airlines President Tom Nealon gifts a plane statue to Hawaii Governor David Ige.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYA blessing is performed after Southwest lands at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYTravelers were greeted with music and hula dancers as they arrived from Oakland to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAYSouthwest Airlines' inaugural Hawaii flight arrives at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu on Sunday.Sandy Hooper, USA TODAY