But if they scale back operations significantly, those benefits might become harder to access. Southwest maintains two free checked bags for Hawaii residents on interisland flights, even as they’re introducing bag fees for mainland routes. This policy continues for residents with Rapid Rewards accounts and Hawaii addresses. For visitors, Southwest’s baggage policies are still more generous than Hawaiian’s, though you’ll pay standard mainland rates. Southwest disrupted the market five years ago with $39 fares, but recently hinted at plans to reduce its Hawaii interisland operations in 2025 significantly.
Current Market Disruptions and What They Mean
Budget for $ per segment as a more realistic baseline, with occasional sales dropping below that range. Sometimes booking two one-way tickets on different airlines costs less than roundtrip tickets on a single carrier. Compare Hawaiian outbound with Southwest return, or vice versa. Mokulele has faced recurring maintenance issues, sudden groundings, and reliability problems that have frustrated passengers and raised concerns about the carrier’s long-term viability. While they serve essential routes to smaller airports, their operational challenges make them a risky choice for tight connection schedules. Hawaiian chicken road Airlines serves destinations in several Asia-Pacific countries and territories.
The Current Airline Landscape: Who Flies Where
Hawaiian offers flight + hotel packages that can save money and earn HawaiianMiles on every booking. However, compare individual bookings to package prices, as packages aren’t always the better deal. Be flexible both in the time of day and day of the week you fly. Check both Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines, as deals are often available with both carriers for similar prices and dates, but not always on the same days. With such small aircraft, weight and balance are critical, so they’re strict about enforcement. Checked baggage fees apply and can be expensive relative to the ticket price.
Historical fleet
Southwest brought real competition to interisland routes, forcing Hawaiian to lower prices and improve service. The airline uses Boeing 717s for most interisland routes, seating about 123 passengers. Flight times range from 20 to 50 minutes depending on the route. They offer the most frequency and flexibility, but that convenience comes at a premium, especially during peak travel times.
- On July 24, 2007, Hawaiian Airlines and Air New Zealand signed a $45 million contract for Air New Zealand to perform heavy maintenance on Hawaiian’s Boeing 767 aircraft.
- Hawaiian Airlines is now a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, with changes in leadership and potential service integration planned.
- Despite being domestic flights, interisland travel requires full TSA screening.
- Children under the age of 12 traveling without an accompanying adult will be subject to fees.
Children under the age of 12 traveling without an accompanying adult will be subject to fees. If Southwest significantly cuts service, expect fewer flight options and less flexibility in scheduling. The conventional wisdom about booking flights doesn’t always apply to Hawaii’s unique market dynamics.
To replace its retired DC-8s and L-1011s, Hawaiian Airlines leased six DC-10s from American Airlines, who continued to provide maintenance on the aircraft. The Boeing aircraft featured an updated rendition of the company’s “Pualani” tail art, which had appeared on its Douglas aircraft since the 1970s. Pualani, which means “flower of the sky,” the key icon of Hawaiian’s brand for more than four decades, continues to feature on the tail of the aircraft; beneath her, a silver maile lei with woven pakalana flower wraps around the fuselage. As competition decreases, airlines have less incentive to accommodate passenger preferences. Flexible travel dates and times become more valuable for finding affordable options. Airlines occasionally substitute smaller aircraft or cancel flights due to weather, maintenance, or operational needs.
- Many newcomers underestimate the time required for interisland connections.
- For visitors, Southwest’s baggage policies are still more generous than Hawaiian’s, though you’ll pay standard mainland rates.
- The memories you’ll make island hopping are worth navigating the complexity of Hawaii’s changing aviation landscape.
- Southwest maintains two free checked bags for Hawaii residents on interisland flights, even as they’re introducing bag fees for mainland routes.
The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®
Purchase interisland flights as soon as deals are announced for the greatest opportunity to find lower-cost flights at your desired times. Unlike mainland routes, interisland flights don’t follow predictable pricing patterns. Sales can appear and disappear quickly, especially for popular weekend travel times. The airline currently serves five Hawaii airports with Boeing 737s and maintains their signature no-assigned-seating policy. Hawaii residents get two free checked bags on interisland flights through their Ohana Rewards program, plus up to 25% off points bookings.
The Las Vegas Raiders, also of the NFL, have been flying Hawaiian Airlines since the 1990s. The two teams formerly flew on Hawaiian’s Boeing 767s to and from all their games, but now travel on Hawaiian’s Airbus A330s. Several of Hawaiian’s Boeing 767 and A330 aircraft have been fitted with decals of logos of the Raiders. We offer only non-stop service to Hawaii from destinations in North America, Asia and the South Pacific, as well as service to every major Hawaiian Island. Deals are often available with both Hawaiian and Southwest for generally the same prices and dates, but not always.
HawaiianMiles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines purchases
Always have backup plans, especially if you have non-refundable reservations on your destination island. Many newcomers underestimate the time required for interisland connections. A “quick hop” to another island can easily consume half a day when you factor in airport arrival time, security, flight delays, baggage claim, and ground transportation on the destination island. Summer (June-August), Christmas/New Year, and major holidays see the highest demand and prices.
Passengers should arrive at least 90 minutes before interisland flights at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Despite being domestic flights, interisland travel requires full TSA screening. Factor in rental car returns, parking, and potential traffic when planning connection times. On average, the best time to buy tickets to Hawaii is between 21 and 121 days before departure, with the period between 40 and 50 days often mentioned as optimal. However, interisland flights operate differently from mainland-to-Hawaii routes. Mokulele operates small Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft seating just nine passengers plus crew.
During these periods, fare sales won’t take place, and even discounted fares can be double the cheapest mid-week prices. If you’re traveling during peak season, book as early as possible and accept that you’ll pay premium rates. Interisland baggage policies are different from mainland flights, and the fees add up quickly if you’re not prepared.
Earn up to 80,000Bonus HawaiianMiles
The airline continued its normal operations, and at the time was overdue for $4.5 million worth of payments to the pilots’ pension plan. Within the company, it was suggested that the plan be terminated. As of May 2005, Hawaiian Airlines had received court approval for its reorganization plan. HawaiianMiles members get reduced baggage fees on interisland flights, with the first bag costing $25 instead of $30 for non-members.
Frequently, Hawaiian offers their best prices on different days than Southwest. We are the only airline dedicated to flying guests to and from a single, special place … Download our app for faster check-ins, real-time notifications and more; all at your convenience.