Americans seeking sun and surf come the dreary winter months will soon be able to hop a flight onboard yet another national airline. Beginning in 2018 and 2019, Southwest Airlines will fly directly from mainland United States to Hawai’i.

The anticipated flight will join other national and international airlines providing the same route, thus contributing to increased competition and (hopefully for travelers) lower fares. As a historically short-haul airline, Southwest seeks to compete with major airlines in this oft-booked route between the mainland and America’s only island state. The path will be a first for Southwest as it will be the only route the airline offers that crosses a large body of water.

To begin, trips will depart from California airports, with possible expansion eastward in the future.

The launch of the west coast­­–Hawai’i service coincides with the introduction of the airline’s new Boeing 737 Max 8 planes.