

Pacific islands are open to international tourism
Most countries in the Pacific Islands region (Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia) are open to general tourism. The governments resumed the issuance of tourist visas, and airlines reopened their international routes to such popular destinations as Bora Bora, Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa.
Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, and Vanuatu have lifted all travel restrictions for arrivals. There is no mandatory quarantine or health testing for all visitors – regardless of their vaccination status. French Polynesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Solomon Islands, and Tonga may still require proof of vaccination and/or a negative Covid test result to be presented on arrival.
However, the regulations may change at short notice, depending on the situation – always check the official websites before booking a flight to Pacific Islands.
Arriving in Hawaii
- If you are flying to Hawaii from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airport — Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
HNL
, also known as Honolulu International Airport, on Oahu island (home to the state capital of Honolulu), Kahului AirportOGG
on the island of Maui, Kona International AirportKOA
and Hilo International AirportITO
on the island of Hawaii (also known as the Big Island, the largest island in the state).
These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Hawaii. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result. - Once in Hawaii, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Hawaiian Airlines, Asia Pacific Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, Transair. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
- Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Hawaii can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Jetstar Airways, Avianca, JetBlue Airways, Sun Country, WestJet, and ZIPAIR. If you have a layover in Hawaii and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.
Airports of Hawaii
What is the best time to book flights to Hawaii?
The best time to book flights to Hawaii is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) for Hawaii flights is 4–6 months before takeoff. During this period, you should monitor airfares by setting alerts on popular flight search websites. Book when you notice a significant drop in price.
Why do prices fluctuate?
Airfare prices for Hawaii flights fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches. The airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales. Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Most airlines start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – airlines typically start by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights to Hawaii, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. It is the “Prime Booking Window” – after some seats have already been sold, airlines start dropping prices to stimulate demand. They may also offer promotions and sales. This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. Airlines charge higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
To save on airfare, select a late night or early morning (1–5 am) flight. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights tend to have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Set alerts
Track flight price fluctuations for your desired routes to Hawaii using email alerts on search sites like Google Flights to catch price drops. These drops will be your chance to book the flight at its best price.
Avoid last minute
Avoid booking flights to Hawaii less than 30 days before takeoff. Prices spike sharply then, as airlines are taking advantage of any last-minute travelers who have no choice but to pay up (learn more about last-minute pricing).
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by airlines for dates they expect to be popular. Try to avoid the high season during summer and major holidays (including holidays in Polynesia), and check the best time to fly to Hawaii. If you must travel during peak times, book a bit earlier – 6 to 8 months in advance.
Join ATC
A useful way to find discounted airfare is to sign up for a deal newsletter such as Air Traveler Club. The ATC team is constantly looking for price drops on popular routes, and we share them with our members free of charge.
Airlines flying to Hawaii | Air Lingus, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Alaska Airlines, Air Seychelles, ANA, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, El Al Israel Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Fiji Airways, Finnair, GOL, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, ITA Airways, Japan Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, KLM, Korean Air, LATAM, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Southern Airways Express, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country, SWISS, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, WestJet, Xojet, Zipair Tokyo |
---|---|
Airlines based in Hawaii | Hawaiian Airlines, Asia Pacific Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, Transair, Lanai Air |
Airports in Hawaii | Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu International Airport), HNL — Honolulu Kahului Airport (Maui Kahului Airport), OGG — Maui island Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (Kona International Airport), KOA — Keahole Lihue Airport, (Kauai Island Lihue Airport), LIH — Kauai island Hilo International Airport, ITO — Hilo Molokai Airport, MKK — Molokaʻi island Lanai Airport, LNY — Lanai City Kapalua Airport, JHM — Maui island Hana Airport, HNM — Maui island Kalaeloa Airport, JRF — Kalaeloa Kalaupapa Airport, LUP — Molokaʻi island Kawaihapai Airfield, HDH — Mokulēʻia Port Allen Airport, PAK — Kauai island Upolu Airport, UPP — Hawi Waimea-Kohala Airport, MUE — Kamuela |
Regular price (roundtrip) | ✈ €1100 – €1500 (from Europe) ✈ $200 – $500 (from USA) |
Flight hacks | 40% — 80% off regular fare |
Airline promotions | See ticket sales & promos available for flights departing from June to August |
The cheapest time to fly to Hawaii
The shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October tend to be the cheapest times to visit Hawaii – the weather is mild, there are fewer tourists, and hotels and airlines may offer lower prices. For surfers, even early November can be a great time for a Hawaii trip, as the islands are still not crowded and it’s a good time to go surfing (especially north of Oahu island). When the high season starts in the first weeks of December, be ready for tourist crowds and sky-high prices for flights and hotels.
If you don’t mind the rainy season, late spring Mid-April to early June represents the off-peak season in Hawaii, and during these months many airlines run promotions and sales to fill the empty seats on their planes. Additionally, midweek travel is usually cheaper than weekend travel.
Summertime and the week of Christmas are peak seasons for Hawaii. Also, avoid the last week of April, which is the “Golden Week” in Japan – the Hawaiian islands will be flooded with Japanese tourists.
Exploring the Hawaii and Pacific Islands
The Pacific Islands can be divided into three main groups based on physical geography and cultural significance:
- Micronesia (“small islands”). Located north of Papua New Guinea. It includes the Federated States of Micronesia (the Caroline Islands), Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau.
- Melanesia (“black islands”). Anchored north of Australia and bordering Indonesia to the east, this region includes Fiji, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
- Polynesia (“many islands”): This large triangular area of the east-central Pacific Ocean includes American Samoa, Cook Islands, Easter Island, French Polynesia, Hawaiian Islands, Line Islands, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna.
Hawaii, Fiji, French Polynesia, and Easter Island are the most well-connected Pacific Islands and act as hubs when flying from Asia (especially Korea, Taiwan, and Japan), Australasia and the USA. The poorly connected island countries like Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, or Tuvalu are best visited via these main hubs.

Please note that the whole region is expensive to get around, and Hawaii is one of the most expensive states in the US. Once you get there, costs can quickly add up to well above that in your home country, especially if you require comforts and imported products. The large tourist numbers and inflated costs of shipping goods the the Hawaiian Islands mean that the prices are almost uniformly high.
Fly to Hawaii half-price with Companion Fare
It’s one of the best ways to save money on your trip if you travel from the Midwestern US to Hawaii.
Alaska Airlines offers a Companion Fare program that allows eligible customers to purchase one full-priced ticket and bring a companion for a flat rate of just $120 ($99 basic airfare plus taxes and fees).
To take advantage of this program, you must have an Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card. Each year, on your account anniversary, you will receive a Companion Fare code which can be used to book a discounted companion fare when purchasing a qualifying fare.
The Companion Fare works for any destination that Alaska Airlines flies to, including Hawaii. Fortunately, Alaska Airlines offers a plethora of nonstop flights to airports on all four main Hawaiian islands: Oahu – Honolulu Airport HNL
, Hawaii – Kona Airport KOA
, Maui – Kahului Airport OGG
, and Kauai – Lihue Airport LIH
. Being primarily a West Coast carrier, it operates nonstop flights to Hawaii from cities close to the Pacific coast, such as Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Seattle.
Flights to Hawaii from United States and Canada
- There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Hawaii. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Hawaii, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. The most common and convenient way to fly to Hawaii is by taking a direct flight from major cities in the US. Several large airlines, such as Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, JetBlue, Fiji Airways, and Japan Airlines offer non-stop flights to Hawaii from cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, Phoenix, Seattle, and Washington. These airlines (with addition of Canadian flag carrier Air Canada) also serve direct flights from Vancouver and Calgary in Canada to Hawaii.
- Hawaii is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Hawaii with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta
ATL
, DallasDFW
, DenverDEN
, ChicagoORD
, Los AngelesLAX
, Las VegasDFW
, MiamiMIA
, SeattleSEA
, HoustonIAH
, New YorkJFK
, and San FranciscoSFO
in the United States and TorontoYYZ
, VancouverYVR
, CalgaryLAS
, and MontrealYUL
in Canada. Booking a flight to Hawaii with a layover in one of these major airports can sometimes be a more cost-effective option, but it will require additional travel time. - The best airlines to fly to Hawaii from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Fiji Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.
- For long-haul flights, the type of aircraft you choose can make a huge difference to your overall comfort on board – especially if you’re flying economy. The best aircraft have comfier seats with more legroom, WiFi, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin in general. When booking a flight to Hawaii, look for the airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as Airbus A350 (best choice), A380, A320neo, or Boeing 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner.
Hawaii from US & Canada
plane ticket prices in 2023/24
Real-time economy class airfares to Hawaii from the US and Canada. See the top deals for flights departing from June to February:
Hacker faresto Hawaii
Airfares airlines don't want you to see:
Interisland flights: island hopping in Hawaii
Thanks to the close distances between the major Hawaiian islands (Lanai and Maui are just 12 km or 8 miles apart), this archipelago is a tempting destination for island hopping. As the ferry options in Hawaii are very limited, the best way to explore Hawaii state is by interisland flights.
Oahu serves as the primary point of interisland travel, and you can catch a flight from Honolulu to nearly all of the major neighboring islands. Prices vary greatly depending on the time of day. It can cost $50-$150 to go island hopping in Hawaii with flights being relatively short – under one hour in most cases.
Hawaiian Airlines has always been the leading carrier for inter-island travel – they have a comprehensive route network that covers all the major islands (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island) and the smaller islands of Lanai, Molokai, and Kapalua. However, similar routes are also operated by Southwest Airlines – it’s worth keeping an eye on this carrier, as they tend to run frequent sales for inter-island flights. Another great option is provided by a less-known airline – Mokulele Airlines – the Hawaii-based small carrier which focuses solely on connecting the islands with its fleet of Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft (a capacity of a maximum of 9 passengers). It has more than 800 flights a week (!) to 10 destinations across the Aloha State. Finally, for those looking to travel directly from Honolulu to the small island of Lanai and stay at a luxurious resort like the Four Seasons, Lanai Air offers a turbo-prop option.
Flying to Hawaii with Hawaiian Airlines
While most major US airlines fly to Hawaii, choosing Hawaiian Airlines as your carrier will help you to immerse yourself into Hawaiian culture before you even set foot on the islands. There is Hawaiian music during boarding and an island color scheme onboard and on crew uniforms. Mai tais (a rum-based tropical cocktail) are available for passengers. Hawaiian Airlines flight crews a known to be friendly and more accommodating than your average domestic flight crew.
All this is coupled with relatively low fees.

Flights from the US mainland to Hawaii are at least 5-6 hours long, and even much longer from the East Coast. To help pass the time over the Pacific complimentary hot meals are served (while with other airlines you’re just going to get a snack box). You can get a free glass of wine with your meal, too.
Hawaiian Airlines often come in first in operations – it has impressively high rates of on-time performance and low cancellations, passenger rebookings and baggage mishandling. The airline’s fleet of aircraft is relatively new and well-maintained, and the airline has a good safety record – running since 1929 it has never suffered a single fatal crash.
Hawaiian Airlines operate its flights to the Hawaiian Islands out of almost all major US airports: Austin, Boston, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Los Angeles, New York, Oakland, Ontario, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle.
Know your time zone
When checking flights and airport transfer times, ensure you know the local time zones. The departure/arrival times on your plane ticket and boarding pass are based on the time zone of the departure/arrival airport – this also applies to the connecting (layover) airports.
Hawaii has only one time zone – it observes Hawaii Standard Time (HST) all year, which is UTC -10 time zone. As a result, clocks in Hawaii are 21 hours behind Sydney, 10 hours behind London and 5 hours behind New York. HST does not have an associated daylight saving time.
When you board the plane, adjust your watch to the local time of the destination – subconsciously orienting yourself to the new time will help you to reduce the jetlag a bit.
Flights to Hawaii with stopover
Direct flights to Hawaii are, of course, much less hassle than flights that require one or more connections. However, they tend to be more expensive. In a trade-off between convenience and cost, the best option is often to opt for a flight with one layover.
So if you’re looking at a long-haul trip with at least one connection, rather than simply transiting an airport, why not take this opportunity to plan a longer stopover? A stopover is a prolonged layover — more than 24 hours — and it won’t only break up your long journey but will also become a legitimate part of your vacation. If you’re prone to severe jet lag, a one or two-day stopover would help minimize its adverse effects.
When booking flights, many airlines allow you to include a free stopover en route to your final destination in Hawaii. Those flights are usually cheaper than non-stop (direct) flights, and you can often choose your stopover at no additional cost — just by looking for multi-city flights with longer layovers.
Some airlines openly advertise stopovers and offer significant discounts and travel perks for passengers to break up their trips: free luxury hotel stays, complimentary domestic flights, or exclusive rates for activities. Start checking for stopover deals to Hawaii with government-owned airlines (as they are looking to attract tourists to give the country economic benefits) — such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. Almost every airline’s website has multi-city search functionality, often hidden inside the one-way/return/multi-city switch.
A well-chosen stopover will not only turn one vacation into many but also save you several hundred dollars in airfare. The available stopovers to Hawaii will depend on your initial destination (Europe, North America, Asia, etc) and the airline you are flying with. For most airlines, the best free stopover offer will be at their main hub.
Flights to Hawaii from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to Hawaii — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. The most convenient (and the cheapest) layovers for flights to Hawaii from Europe are Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Vancouver.
- Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Hawaii include Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, Iberia, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines.
- Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Hawaii from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Use European low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Eurowings to fly to the hub, then save hundreds of euros by taking a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination.
We recommend checking prices for flights to Hawaii from these European airport hubs: LondonLHR
and ManchesterMAN
in the United Kingdom, FrankfurtFRA
and MunichMUC
in Germany, ParisCDG
and NiceNCE
in France, AmsterdamAMS
in the Netherlands, MadridMAD
and BarcelonaBCN
in Spain, RomeFCO
and MilanoMXP
in Italy, BrusselsBRU
in Belgium, CopenhagenOSL
in Denmark, OsloOSL
in Norway, StockholmARN
in Sweden, ZurichZRH
in Switzerland, LisbonLIS
in Portugal, ViennaVIE
in Austria, WarsawWAW
in Poland, PraguePRG
in Czech Republic, and DublinDUB
in Ireland.
European airports with the cheapest flights to Hawaii
Find the lowest prices for flights to Honolulu Airport, Maui Kahului Airport, Kona Airport, Lihue Airport in Hawaii from the major airports in Europe — London, Dublin, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Lyon, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Stockholm, Geneva, Helsinki, Zurich, and others.
Can't finda good deal?
Europe to Hawaii, up to 80% off.
How to book SuperDeals?
At the Air Traveler Club, our go-to solution for finding cheap airfares to Hawaii is Google Flights. Every time we send SuperDeals to our 110,000 members (see some examples), we include links to Google Flights so that each deal can be booked immediately.
Google Flights then showcases various options for booking the deal: you can almost always book directly with the airline (by cutting out the middleman) or – alternatively – with an OTA that offers the same flight at a similar price. Once you have chosen your booking option, you will be redirected to the external website where you can finalize your ticket purchase.
One of Google Flights’ standout features is a color-coded bar that appears underneath the booking options. It provides a visual representation of the price in comparison to the typical fare (for the same route, class, and airline) – indicating whether it is lower, average, or higher.

If the marker falls within the green zone (“price is low”) don’t hesitate to secure this deal as it is significantly – 40% to 80% – cheaper than average and unlikely to drop further.
If you are not Air Traveler Club subscriber yet, you’re missing out on SuperDeals (we often send deals to Hawaii). Sign up now to start saving 40–80% on flights. It’s free!
For more details on how to book deals on Google Flights, check out this video:

Last-minute flights to Hawaii. The real cost of convenience.
Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Hawaii almost always never works out. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.

The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.
Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times tend to sell out quickly.
Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Hawaii is 2-8 months before the takeoff.
Domestic air travel from Hawaii
Most domestic routes in Polynesia are operated by local airlines. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Kailua-Kona, and Molokai from Honolulu Airport, Maui Kahului Airport, Kona Airport, Lihue Airport, you’ll be flying with one of these domestic air transport companies: Hawaiian Airlines, Asia Pacific Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, Transair. In most cases, it is the best (the fastest, the most convenient, and the cheapest) way to travel around the country.
If you plan to fly domestically from Hawaii check the latest prices here, then book your flight ticket online.
Flights to Hawaii from Australia and New Zealand
- Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Hawaii. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australia/New Zealand to Asia are operated by large regional carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Etihad, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
Direct flights and flights with one layover to Hawaii are available from all major airports in Australia – SydneySYD
, BrisbaneBNE
, MelbourneMEL
, PerthPER
, AdelaideADL
, CairnsCNS
, Gold CoastOOL
, CanberraCBR
, and in New Zealand – AucklandAKL
, WellingtonWLG
, ChristchurchCHC
, QueenstownZQN
, DunedinDUD
. - In terms of cost-savings, we recommend flying from Australia and New Zealand to a major Asian hub and then booking a flight to your final destination in Hawaii with a regional budget airline. Among the low-cost airlines that fly into Hawaii are Jetstar Airways, Avianca, JetBlue Airways, Sun Country, WestJet, and ZIPAIR.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Hawaii. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia. Another good option is a connecting flight with a stopover in the US – Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York. If you prefer a non-stop connection, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Jetstar, Qantas have direct flights between Australia (Melbourne and Sydney) and Hawaii.
Prices of flights to Hawaii from Australia and New Zealand
Real-time economy class fares to Hawaii from major airports in Australasia — from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide in Australia, and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch in New Zealand.
Curated dealsfrom flight experts
Fly half-price (or less!) to Hawaii:
Best way to upgrade to Business Class for cheap
A growing number of airlines are auctioning upgrades to their business class seats. Once you book your economy ticket to Hawaii, you can offer to pay a bit more in an attempt to get a premium seat. 2-3 days before your flight, an airline will send you an email with a link to their website where you can place a “blind” bid. Alternatively, you can go to the website directly and check if your seat qualifies for an upgrade by providing the Booking Reference number.
There’s usually a minimum bid amount. If you win the auction, you’ll be informed via email, and your seat will be upgraded.

How to choose the right bid amount? Just check the airline website for the regular cost of a business class seat to Hawaii, then subtract what you paid for the economy fare. Place your bid for around 10% to 30% of that price. The alternative strategy is to bid slightly above the competition. If, for example, the minimum bid is $500, try to bid $550-$600, as most people will offer the baseline amount required.
The more available business class seats the airline has on your flight, the lower bid can be successfully used. Check the airline’s daily schedule for flights to Hawaii – if there is more than one flight on your chosen route (more available seats), you can safely bid close to the minimum required amount.
Among the airlines that allow bidding for seat upgrades are: Air Canada (AC Bid), Air New Zealand (OneUp), Cathay Pacific (Upgrade Bid), Etihad Airways (Bid To Upgrade), Fiji Airways (Bula Bid), Garuda Indonesia (BidUpgrade), Hawaiian Airlines (Bid Up), LATAM (Cabin Upgrade), Lufthansa (Bid Upgrade), Royal Jordanian (Go Crown), Qantas (Bid Now), SAS (SAS Upgrade), Singapore Airlines (mySQupgrade), SriLankan Airlines, and Virgin Australia (UpgradeMe).
How much is Premium Economy to Hawaii?
Heading for a long-haul or overnight flight to Hawaii? The premium economy could be a worthwhile investment, ensuring you arrive rejuvenated.
Positioned between economy and business class, premium economy provides enhanced comfort (5–7 inches of extra legroom, wider seats with 2–3 extra inches recline, adjustable headrests and leg rests, larger personal TV screens) and extra perks (superior meals, larger baggage allowances, priority boarding, access to airport lounges). It’s a favored option for those seeking comfort without the cost of a full-fledged business-class ticket.
The majority of Asia Pacific carriers now feature premium economy class. According to Skytrax’s World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airlines Awards, the best premium economy is offered by Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Emirates, ANA, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, China Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines.
However, the Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seats Award recognized Emirates as the top contender. Their premium economy class, currently available on A380 aircraft, exudes a business-class ambiance and occupies the front of the main deck of the superjumbo.

Premium economy class fares typically range from 25% to 100% more than standard economy tickets on the same flight. For instance, a round-trip economy ticket from the US to Hawaii might be priced around $700, whereas a premium economy ticket on the same route could be $1,000 to $1,500. In contrast, business class tickets for an identical itinerary may run between $3,000 and $5,000 or higher.
When booking closer to the departure date, premium economy is generally only 10–30% more expensive than standard economy fare. If premium seats aren’t filled, airlines might offer discounted upgrades at check-in.
To find the current prices of premium economy tickets to Hawaii, use our search form (choose “Premium Economy” in the cabin class drop-down menu).
Is the premium economy to Hawaii worth the extra cost? This decision hinges on individual priorities. For long-haul and overnight flights, the enhanced comfort can significantly improve the travel experience. If your journey consists of two or more connecting flights, opting for a premium seat on just one leg can still provide a superior journey compared to the standard economy throughout.
However, if the price gap for premium economy appears too steep, consider another viable alternative: hot seats.
Looking for the best deals for Hawaii? Check different departure airports.
Airlines often have varying prices for flights to Hawaii from different airports – even if they are in close proximity to one another. So don’t limit yourself to just your nearest airport. The neighboring cities may have lower-priced flights that include a layover at Hawaii, or may even have direct flights that are more budget-friendly.
For example, if you’re looking to fly from Paris to Hawaii, it may be worth checking prices for flights departing from London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Rome. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to these hubs, but domestic low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for less than €100.

The same goes for long-haul flights to Hawaii from anywhere in the world. By broadening your search to include neighboring airports, you may discover lower-priced options that can save you hundreds of euros!
“Hot seats” on long-haul flights
Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Hawaii, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.
If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.

Flights to Hawaii from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia
- Manila
MNL
, SeoulICN
, TaipeiTPE
have convenient direct flights to Hawaii. Numerous non-stop flights depart from Japanese cities such as TokyoHND
andNRT
, OsakaKIX
, NagoyaNGO
, FukuokaFUK
, and SapporoCTS
. - Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Hawaii look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
- Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Hawaii will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
- Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting Polynesia and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
Flights from major Asian airports to Hawaii
Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Hawaii — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.
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Fly now, pay later
Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans for flights have become a popular trend in the travel industry, allowing travelers to book flights and pay in installments. Among the airlines that offer this option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. They partner with external financial companies to offer their loan services on the checkout page.
The BNPL plans come with varying terms and fees. Some may be interest-free but have fees for late-payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR).
When considering BNPL financing for your flight to Hawaii, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, and thoroughly review the terms and conditions.
Proof of onward travel – a simple hack
Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from Polynesia to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.
The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of Polynesia and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

Hidden-city ticketing hack
Hidden-city ticketing is a less-known money-saving tactic where you buy a plane ticket with a layover, with the intention to get off at the layover rather than the final destination. For example, a flight from New York to Tokyo might be $600, but a similar flight from New York to Singapore with a layover in Tokyo might be only $350. Choosing the latter and ending the trip in Tokyo would save you $250.
It seems counterintuitive that a fare from A to C via B could possibly be cheaper than a simple fare on a shorter route from A to B. However, airlines use dynamic, computer-driven price models calculated with little human intervention, and such deals happen quite often.
Booking a hidden city ticket isn’t as easy as booking a standard itinerary. There are some things to be aware of: (1) don’t check baggage — bring only hand luggage that can fit under the seat or an overhead compartment; a large checked bag will end up in the final destination C; (2) don’t use it for return flights — airlines often void any subsequent tickets if any segment of the first ticket is missed; (3) Do not overuse this tactic with the same airline — hidden-city ticketing is legal but airlines don’t like it and may try to punish you; (4) Don’t associate your frequent flyer account — the airline might invalidate any miles you’ve accrued with them.

How to find hidden-city tickets? The easiest way is to use Skiplagged website, which was designed for unearthing hidden-city deals — give them a try for your flight to Hawaii.
Booking group flights to Hawaii
Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Hawaii can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.
To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.
Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.
If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Hawaii and can help with logistics and scheduling.
FAQ: Flying to Hawaii
Q: What are the best flights to Molokai island from US?
A: The island of Molokai is not accessible directly from the mainland US. To fly from the US to Molokai Island, you must first fly to Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on the island of Oahu, Kahului Airport (OGG), or Kapalua-West Maui Airport (JHM) on Maui island. From these three airports, you can catch a connecting flight to Molokai Airport (MKK) via Hawaiian Airlines or two small regional carriers – Makani Kai Air or Mokulele Airlines. These interisland flights typically take around 25 minutes.
Q: How many airports are in Hawaii?
A: There are 15 airports in Hawaii state and 8 of them have scheduled commercial and charter flights. However, most international flights to Hawaii land at the primary airport, Honolulu International Airport.
Q: Do I need a visa to fly to Hawaii?
A: As a state of America, entry to Hawaii has the same requirements as mainland USA. All international visitors, regardless of country of origin, must present a valid passport or secure document. However, the Visa Waiver Program enables nationals from 38 countries to visit Hawaii for tourism or business and stay for a maximum of 90 days without obtaining a visa. These travelers are only required to have a valid authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before travel.If you are unsure about the visa requirements for your specific country, it's best to check with the U.S. Department of State or the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Q: Why are flights to Hawaii so expensive?
A: There are several reasons why flights to Hawaii can be expensive. The airfares to Hawaii depend primarily on: (1) which part of the world you are flying from and the airline you're flying with. Hawaii is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and even flights from 'nearby' mainland US take at least 5 hours. Most of those flights are operated by full-service airlines that are more expensive than low-cost airlines.
(2) Destination popularity. Hawaii is a popular vacation destination, which means that there is high demand for flights. Airlines can charge higher prices because people are willing to pay for the experience of traveling to Hawaii.
(3) High cost of living. Hawaii is an isolated island chain with a high cost of living which reflect in prices for goods and services, including airline tickets.
(4) The time of booking. High demand + low supply = higher fares. Seasonality plays a big part here: if you travel during the peak season (high demand) and book a last-minute flight (low supply - not many tickets left), your flight to Hawaii will be costly. Air tickets for dates around popular holidays can be even 2-3 times more expensive (!) than in the off-season.
A big contributor to higher fares on planes are (5) oil prices and the fact that airfares are pegged to the US dollar. These factors are passed on to travelers, making your flight ticket even more expensive.
The various (6) taxes imposed on foreigners and tourists by the government have been a big part of the price increase in the last few years. You may never notice them directly, as they are often worked into airline tickets or the bill you pay at your hotel.
Last but to least, (7) business travelers can influence ticket prices for other passengers. The number of expensive Business Class tickets sold on a flight affects how much money the airline makes and, therefore, how much they charge for Economy Class seats.
Q: Which airport is best to fly to Hawaii?
A: The best airport to fly to in Hawaii depends on your individual needs and preferences. This being said, the primary airport for international flights to Hawaii is Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on the island of Oahu. This airport has the most flights and destinations available and is also the main hub for Hawaiian Airlines (the state's largest airline). It is also the closest airport to popular tourist areas such as Waikiki and Diamond Head.However, if you are planning to visit another island, it may be more convenient to fly directly to the airport located on this island. For example, if you want to visit Maui, you may want to fly into Kahului Airport (OGG) and if you want to visit Hawaii Island (also known as The Big Island) you may want to fly into Kona International Airport (KOA) or Hilo International Airport (ITO).
Q: Is Hawaiian Airlines a good airline?
A: Hawaiian Airlines is generally considered to be a good airline. It has a reputation for providing friendly and efficient service, with a focus on Hawaiian culture and hospitality. The airline's fleet of aircraft is relatively new and well-maintained, and the airline has a good safety record – running since 1929 it has never suffered a single fatal crash. Hawaiian Airlines has been recognized by several industry organizations for its safety and operational excellence.
Q: When is the best time to book flights to Hawaii?
A: Plane tickets usually don’t get cheaper closer to the departure date. Even these reasonably priced flights in the low season sell out quite far ahead of the date of travel. It pays to book your ticket well in advance, giving you a good range of flight times and seat selection choices.
The best time to book flights to Hawaii can vary among airlines but the golden time usually falls between 2 months and 6 months before the departure. So, January is the best time to book flights if you want to visit Hawaii during the summer.
User Review
4.8 (1269 votes)Flights to Hawaii
Whether on a vacation of a lifetime or a business trip, flying to Hawaii is not as easy as booking local travel.
Most likely you are looking at a long-haul trip — and every layover will add a few more hours if you choose not to take a direct flight. Choose your airline wisely, by reading the online reviews left by passengers who have already taken a similar route. Always look for their in-flight experience: seats (are they comfy and spacious?), menu (was it delicious with plenty of choices for different tastes and diets?), and the entertainment options available onboard (the quality of screens and headphones, the range of movie/music/tv channels on offer, etc).
If you have specific travel dates, it's worth booking as soon as possible. Leave it too late and you might have to pay almost double the price, especially if you want to fly during school holidays and popular times like New Year's Eve. If you're not yet an Air Traveler Club subscriber, sign up now — we'll send you lots of discounted offers for free. Our members often save $500 or more on flights to Hawaii!
Pros
- Plenty of airlines flying to Hawaii
- Cheap tickets available
- Flight hacks available
Cons
- Long-haul flights can be expensive