Southwest Airlines has joined other carriers in offering a preclearance service intended to expedite arrival procedures in Hawaii, where the state screens every arriving passenger.
Under Hawaii's Safe Travels program, all incoming travelers over the age of 5 must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test result from a state-approved provider or be subject to a 10-day self quarantine period.
Now, Southwest Airlines is offering preclearance to passengers departing to Honolulu and to Kahului, on Maui, from its five California gateway cities: Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, San Diego and Long Beach.
To qualify for preclearance, passengers must register for the state's Safe Travels program, where they will be required to update travel and lodging information, present a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure and answer a health questionnaire.
Prior to boarding their Hawaii-bound flight, the passenger's information and test results will be verified by Southwest staff, and eligible travelers will be given a bracelet to indicate they have been cleared. Upon arrival, the precleared travelers may bypass screening at the Hawaii airport.
Other major airlines have launched similar programs in recent months, including Alaska, Hawaiian and United airlines.
Southwest Airlines recently debuted two new routes connecting Hawaii with Long Beach, Calif., one to Maui and one to Oahu. The airline is also expected to resume its service in and out of Kauai from Oakland and San Jose on June 6.