Travelers now have more options for flying nonstop between Southern California and Oahu thanks to new direct flights from one of the Los Angeles area’s most beloved airports.
Beginning this summer, both Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines began offering direct flights between Hollywood Burbank Airport and the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Oahu, creating another nonstop option for West Coast travelers that previously would’ve required flying out of one of California’s larger airports.
While Alaska Airlines’ new nonstop service went into effect in May, just in time for peak summer travel, Southwest service will begin on Aug. 4. But, unlike Alaska’s seasonal route, Southwest’s new service will be offered year-round on “peak days.” Southwest also started service between Ontario and Honolulu earlier this summer.
Regardless, these two new flights give travelers increased options for visiting the Hawaiian capital, which is known for its breathtaking scenery, high-quality transit and limitless outdoor activities—Oahu is widely considered to be the birthplace of modern surfing, and 2026 happens to be the 50th anniversary of the sport going pro.
With the soaring fuel prices causing major airfare increases, many Americans are opting for the ease and reduced hassle of traveling domestically rather than abroad, according to Expedia’s 2026 summer report.
For Americans, Hawaii is among the top summer travel destinations for a reason: no currency converting, no-intro-to-foreign-language skills needed, and no passport required.
Oahu, home to the capital Honolulu and the iconic Waikiki neighborhood, is the most visited island in Hawaii, and its economy is largely tourism-based, so there’s no shortage of hotel and resorts to choose from.
Here are a few of the hotels and resorts on Oahu for your last-minute Hawaiian summer escape
Twin Fin Waikiki Beach: Described as a resort “for the adventure seeker,” the Twin Fin is located just a few steps from one of the most famous surf spots in the world: Waikiki Beach. The Twin Fin is home to the Jamie O’Brien School of Surf Waikiki, and the hotel offers tailored lessons from its staff of professional surfers.
The Twin Fin is also focused on sustainability, regularly hosting beach cleanups through a partnership with Parley for the Oceans. The hotel has several outdoor and fitness initiatives, including beach yoga, evening stargazing and e-bike tours.
Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach: This resort is geared more toward “wellness travelers,” hotel officials say, with rooftop fitness experiences, in-resort spa treatments, and “Oahu’s first IV lounge.”
Alohilani also features a rooftop pool deck that overlooks the Pacific Ocean with a dedicated “spritz garden” cart serving Aperol spritz and other tropical cocktails, as well as an artisanal ice cream cart that brings treats directly to you at poolside. The hotel also offers Hawaiian cultural experiences like Hula lessons and lei-making sessions.
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina: Located further away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, this Four Seasons resort can be found northwest of the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport along an “untamed western coastline.”
The sprawling 642-acre property is, like most Four Seasons resorts, a five-star facility with amenities on top of amenities. It features four oceanfront lagoons, eight dining venues, and Four Seasons’ largest club lounge.
This summer, the resort introduced a new private, one-on-one surfing experience created in partnership with former professional surfer and Hawaii native Kekoa Cazimero. The half-day surfing lesson is designed for surfers of all skill levels and comes with exclusive access to Wai Kai Wave—a stationary wave trainer that uses engineering techniques to create perfect, replicable swells.
The Nalu Surf Experience also features luxury transportation, custom apparel and a traditional Hawaiian meal at the famed Highway Inn.
In addition to surfing, Ko Olina offers a full summer wellness series that features yoga, tennis and pickleball lessons from experts, as well as “ancestral healing,” that hotel officials say make it perfect for travelers “seeking both adventure and elevated relaxation.”
While last-minute trips to Hawaii, especially to some high-end resorts, aren’t always the most economical, if you’re going to bite the bullet and go for it, why not go big?
If you can’t make a trip work before kids return to school and the sun begins to set earlier, Oahu remains one of the top travel destinations in America during the fall, as well. Travel experts recommend early fall or mid-spring as the best times to plan a trip to the islands.
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