Flying to Hawaii Tips: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Trip
Are you planning a trip to Hawaii?
If so, then read on! We’ve got some great tips for flying to Hawaii that will help make your vacation the best one yet. Whether you’re going with family or friends, we have something for everyone.
We will discuss flying options, what items you need to bring on the flight, what you need to wear on the plane, and so much more.
So sit back and relax as you read our handy tips on how to best prepare for your trip. Before you know it, you’ll be relaxing in paradise!
Here are some tips that we’ve learned from our own experience with flying to Hawaii, as well as other places around the world. We hope they help you enjoy your trip!
How Long is the Flight to Hawaii?
The flight time will depend on what city you are flying from to get to Hawaii.
For example, flying from New York to Honolulu will take you 11 hours non-stop, but flying from Los Angeles to Honolulu will take you about 6 hours.
One thing to also keep in mind is if you are flying direct or have a connecting flight. The more connecting flights you have, the longer it will take for you to get to Hawaii.
Also, this will depend on which Hawaiian airport you are flying into to get there.
If you prefer direct flights, you are in luck as all four of the below Hawaiian airports offer flights to and from the mainland United States.
Hawaii’s International Airports:
Oahu: Honolulu (HNL)
Maui: Kahului (OGG)
Kauai: Lihue (LIH)
The Big Island: (Kona (KOA) and Hilo (ITO)
Which Airline Is The Best to Fly With?
People have asked me this question countless times, and my answer is always the same; it will depend on where you are flying from, which island you are going to, and your personal preferences.
I have seen many people recommend Hawaiian Airlines as the preferred airline when flying to Hawaii, and I don’t necessarily agree with this statement.
I have personally flown with them numerous times and love the airline, but since I am based on the east coast of the united states, Hawaiian isn’t always the best choice for me.
If I want to fly nonstop from Atlanta, I find more flight options with Delta because Delta has a hub in Atlanta and offers more options in Atlanta than Hawaiian Airlines.
On the contrary, if I were flying from Denver, United Airlines would be my first choice since they offer more options than Delta. Anyway, I hope you get the point here.
So when you are searching for flights to Hawaii, make sure that you research the different airline carriers that offer service within your area, and then choose one that is more suited for where you are departing from and one that offers the best deals.
Which Airlines Offer Interisland Flights in Hawaii?
Hawaiian and Southwest offer the majority of the interisland flights in Hawaii.
Hawaiian Airlines
Without a doubt, Hawaiian Airlines is the leading airline when it comes to interisland flights. If you are taking a trip around the islands, the chances are that you will be flying with Hawaiian Airlines.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest also offers some interisland flights on the Big Island, Kauai or Maui. I have only flown Hawaiian because they just had so many options to choose from, and since I have never had any issues with them I always pick them as my preferred interisland airline.
Also, interisland flights within Hawaii are affordable, so if you are a budget traveler, this is one less thing you have to worry about in terms of expenses. I know a trip to Hawaii is expensive and I am here to help you save some money so you can afford to travel more.
Other Airlines
There are also smaller airlines that offer unique destinations such as: Mokulele Airlines (offering flights to Hana and Lanai), Lanai Air (offering flights from Honolulu to Lanai), and Makani Kai Air (offers small charter flights from Kauai, Molokai)
Note: One thing I will say about interisland flights is to make sure you read the fine print very carefully. Confirm if the ticket you are purchasing offers a free check-in bag.
We often purchase basic economy tickets when flying, and we end up paying to check in a bag. Overall, the total cost has always been less than $70 for us. This is when flying from Oahu to Maui and the Big Island in 2021.
Obviously, prices will depend on the time of the year you are traveling to Hawaii, so be sure to check with the airlines directly.
Which Airlines Fly Non-Stop to Hawaii?
Multiple airlines fly non-stop to Hawaii. The below tables show a breakdown of which airlines fly into Hawaii and what airports they depart from.
Flying to Honolulu (HNL)
| City | Airline | Duration |
| Atlanta (ATL) | Delta | 10 hours |
| Charlotee (CLT) | Hawaiian | 10 hours |
| Chicago (ORD) | American and United | 9 hours, 10 minutes |
| Dallas (DFW) | American | 8 hours, 33 minutes |
| Denver (DEN) | United | 7 hours, 14 minutes |
| Houston (IAH) | United | 8 hours, 31 minutes |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | Hawaiian | 6 hours, 30 minutes |
| Long Beach (LGB) | Hawaiian and Southwest | 6 hours |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | American, Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian, Sun Country and United | 6 hours |
| New York (EWR) | United | 11 hours |
| Oakland (OAK) | Alaska, Hawaiian and Southwest | 5 hours, 45 minutes |
| Orlando (MCO) | Hawaiian | 10 hours, 30 minutes |
| Phoenix (PHX) | American and Hawaiian | 6 hours, 45 minutes |
| Portland (PDX) | Alaska and Hawaiian | 6 hours, 15 minutes |
| Hawaiian and Southwest | Sacramento (SMF) | 5 hours, 50 minutes |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | Delta | 7 hours |
| San Diego (SAN) | Alaska, Hawaiian and Southwest | 6 hours, 25 minutes |
| San Jose (SJC) | Alaska, Hawaiian and Southwest | 6 hours, 25 minutes |
| San Francisco (SFO) | Alaska, Hawaiian, Sun Country and United | 5 hours, 25 minutes |
| Santa Ana (SNA) | United (starting May 6) | 6 hours |
| Seattle (SEA) | Alaska, Delta and Hawaiian | 6 hours, 30 minutes |
| Washington (IAD) | United | 10 hours, 43 minutes |
Flying to Maui (OGG)
| City | Airline | Duration |
| Chicago (ORD) | United | 9 hours |
| Dallas (DFW) | American | 8 hours, 20 minutes |
| Denver (DEN) | United | 7 hours, 20 minutes |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | Hawaiian | 6 hours, 15 minutes |
| Hawaiian and Southwest | Long Beach (LGB) | 5 hours, 45 minutes |
| American, Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian and United | Los Angeles (LAX) | 6 hours |
| United | New York (EWR) | 11 hours, 10 minutes |
| Alaska, Hawaiian and Southwest | Oakland (OAK) | 5 hours, 35 minutes |
| American | Phoenix (PHX) | 6 hours, 53 minutes |
| Alaska and Hawaiian | Portland (PDX) | 6 hours, 10 minutes |
| Hawaiian and Southwest | Sacramento (SMF) | 5 hours, 35 minutes |
| Delta | Salt Lake City (SLC) | 6 hours, 49 minutes |
| Alaska and Hawaiian | San Diego (SAN) | 6 hours, 15 minutes |
| Alaska, Hawaiian and United | San Francisco (SFO) | 5 hours, 25 minutes |
| Alaska, Hawaiian and Southwest | San Jose (SJC) | 5 hours, 35 minutes |
| Alaska, Delta and Hawaiian | Seattle (SEA) | 6 hours, 25 minutes |
Flying to Kauai
| City | Airline | Duration |
| Denver (DEN) | United | 7 hours, 51 minutes |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | American, Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian and United | 6 hours, 10 minutes |
| Oakland (OAK) | Alaska, Hawaiian and Southwest | 5 hours, 35 minutes |
| Phoenix (PHX) | American | 6 hours, 49 minutes |
| Portland (PDX) | Alaska | 6 hours, 25 minutes |
| San Diego (SAN) | United, Hawaiian | 8 hours, 25 minutes |
| San Francisco (SFO) | United | 5 hours, 52 minutes |
| San Jose (SJC) | Alaska and Southwest | 5 hours, 50 minutes |
| Seattle (SEA) | Alaska and Delta | 6 hours, 20 minutes |
Flying to Kona
| City | Airline | Duration |
| Chicago (ORD) | United | 9 hours, 20 minutes |
| Dallas (DFW) | American | 8 hours, 35 minutes |
| Denver (DEN | United | 7 hours, 22 minutes |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | American, Alaska, Delta , Hawaiian and United | 6 hours |
| Phoenix (PHX) | American | 6 hours, 30 minutes |
| Portland (PDX) | Alaska | 6 hours, 20 minutes |
| San Diego (SAN) | Alaska | 6 hours, 10 minutes |
| San Jose (SJC) | Alaska and Southwest | 5 hours, 45 minutes |
| San Francisco (SFO) | United | 5 hours, 23 minutes |
| Seattle (SEA) | Alaska and Delta | 6 hours, 20 minutes |
Flying to Hilo
Unfortunately, there are limited non-stop flights that fly into Hilo. United offers a non-stop flight from LAX to Hilo (ITO). Another option would be to fly into Kona and then drive over to the Hilo side (about a 2-hour drive).
If you are considering going to the Big Island and want to know the difference between Hilo and Kona, check out the below article about Hilo Vs. Kona.
How Do I Book the Best Flights?
Here are some tips on how you can get the best flight to Hawaii:
Always book directly with the airline
Make sure to book your ticket directly with the airline to eliminate the middle man. Doing this will eliminate any hassles when there is a change in flights or problems with your tickets.
It is much easier to deal directly with the airline than with a third-party travel agency.
Be flexible with your travel dates
If you are flexible with the time of year you want to travel, you will have a better chance of finding the best ticket prices.
This is because airlines offer sales or discounts to fill up seats during off-season or peak times, so being flexible with your date range will increase your chances of getting the best deal.