If we’re spared another federal government shutdown, Southwest Airlines could be selling Hawaii-mainland tickets in a month or so. Then later this year, Southwest, which plans to connect the islands with San Diego, Oakland, San Jose and Sacramento and eventually add interisland flights, would launch its first customer-carrying flights. 

On Tuesday, big cheers greeted the touch-down of a staff-carrying test run at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Back in the 1970s, the airline built its reputation on no-frills transport and budget prices. It’s no longer considered the cheapest airline to fly.

Even so, there’s hope among travelers that its Hawaii-related fares will be cheer-worthy.