Southwest Takes Sizable Step Towards ETOPS Certification, Hawaii Service

Back in October of last year, Southwest announced its intent to offer flights from California to Hawaii, a route where the airline could be benefited by the capabilities and increased efficiency of their relatively new Boeing 737 MAX 8s. After the route certification process was slowed by the U.S. federal government shutdown and ticket sales were pushed back from late December 2018, the airline is now ready to begin its ETOPS certification with the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). This is…