We’d heard from several people again over the weekend about Hawaii flight delays. David said, “Just thought you’d like to know that HA15 is delayed 22 hours till tomorrow morning.” We’ve got an update on that and what’s been happening with Hawaii flight delays once again. We checked over the past four days, from Thursday to Sunday, and here’s our report covering each domestic airline at Hawaii’s two busiest airports. We’ve also got some data comparing Hawaii with the rest of the US, and the results are not as we had hoped.
This is a big issue for those people who are in several categories:
- Visitors who have connections into or out of Hawaii.
- Those traveling for work.
- Locals going to medical appointments.
Honolulu Airport Runway 8L Widening Project.
One of the number of problems associated with Hawaii flight delays is a massive Honolulu airport runway project that is currently mid-project. Another issue, perhaps more significant, although not confirmed, is the ongoing airline and FAA staffing shortages.
Regarding the runway project, we spoke with the Hawaii Department of Transportation/Airports this morning. They advised us there is no completion date yet for the runway widening project and that it may, in fact, not be completed this year! The DOT Airport website has not been updated to reflect a new completion date. It still says Q3 2023.
Per DOT, “This project is a continuation of the Runway 8L Widening Phase 1 project and consists of reconstructing the first 1,000 feet of runway from the 8L threshold with Portland cement concrete (PCC), rehabilitating/reconstructing the remaining 7,500 lineal feet of runway with asphalt concrete; modifying the existing edge lights, and installing new NAVAIDs. Taxiway’s T and V will also be realigned and reconstructed with PCC.”
We always wonder why this project wasn’t done during Covid instead of during this time of resurging travel. It would have given jobs to construction workers during the pandemic. Perhaps it relates to funding or something else entirely.
What happened to HA 15 on Sunday?
We don’t know what occurred. Clearly, the passenger on the plane reported it had been delayed 22 hours. But on checking FlightAware, it now appears that yesterday’s flight was canceled entirely.
Hawaii Airports have massive flight delays.
After reviewing the inquiries we received, it was clear that checking on recent flight delays was a good idea. Here’s what we found at the two busiest Hawaii airports over the past few days:
Maui Airport (OGG) flight delays.
Sunday, March 12: 92 flights.
- 50% (5) of American Airlines flights were delayed.
- 41% (7) of Alaska Airlines flights were delayed.
- 80% (8) of Delta Airlines flights were delayed.
- 42% (37) of Hawaiian Airlines flights were delayed.
- 65% (32) of Southwest flights were delayed.
- 21% (3) of United Airlines flights were delayed.
Saturday, March 11: 102 flights.
- 60% (6) of American Airlines flights were delayed.
- 50% (9) of Alaska Airlines flights were delayed.
- 81% (9) of Delta Airlines flights were delayed.
- 48% (40) of Hawaiian Airlines flights were delayed.
- 50% (23) of Southwest flights were delayed.
- 83% (15) of United Airlines flights were delayed.
Friday, March 10: 96 flights.
- 60% (6) of American Airlines flights were delayed.
- 50% (8) of Alaska Airlines flights were delayed.
- 90% (9) of Delta Airlines flights were delayed.
- 52% (40) of Hawaiian Airlines flights were delayed.
- 56% (26) of Southwest flights were delayed.
- 50% (7) of United Airlines flights were delayed.
Thursday, March 9: 93 flights.
- 30% (3) of American Airlines flights were delayed.
- 64% (9) of Alaska Airlines flights were delayed.
- 66% (6) of Delta Airlines flights were delayed.
- 54% (46) of Hawaiian Airlines flights were delayed.
- 50% (23) of Southwest flights were delayed.
- 42% (6) of United Airlines flights were delayed.
Honolulu Airport (HNL) flight delays.
Sunday, March 12: 161 flights.
- 50% (7) of American Airlines flights were delayed.
- 57% (15) of Alaska Airlines flights were delayed.
- 42% (9) of Delta Airlines flights were delayed.
- 38% (72) of Hawaiian Airlines flights were delayed.
- 58% (48) of Southwest flights were delayed.
- 34% (10) of United Airlines flights were delayed.
Saturday, March 11: 140 flights.
- 50% (7) of American Airlines flights were delayed.
- 63% (14) of Alaska Airlines flights were delayed.
- 30% (6) of Delta Airlines flights were delayed.
- 32% (60) of Hawaiian Airlines flights were delayed.
- 55% (44) of Southwest flights were delayed.
- 30% (9) of United Airlines flights were delayed.
Friday, March 10: 150 flights.
- 42% (6) of American Airlines flights were delayed.
- 35% (7) of Alaska Airlines flights were delayed.
- 40% (8) of Delta Airlines flights were delayed.
- 40% (79) of Hawaiian Airlines flights were delayed.
- 53% (43) of Southwest flights were delayed.
- 23% (7) of United Airlines flights were delayed.
Thursday, March 9: 188 flights.
- 57% (8) of American Airlines flights were delayed.
- 50% (11) of Alaska Airlines flights were delayed.
- 31% (6) of Delta Airlines flights were delayed.
- 54% (103) of Hawaiian Airlines flights were delayed.
- 59% (48) of Southwest flights were delayed.
- 46% (12) of United Airlines flights were delayed.
How Hawaii compared with nationwide flight delays.
Compared with nationwide flight delays, Hawaii appeared to fare somewhat worse than average. Hawaii has always enjoyed a reputation for more on-time flights than the US mainland. That we believe has related in large part to the year-round good weather in Hawaii. That’s one of the reasons that Hawaiian has had the reputation as the most on-time carrier in the US for many years. Not only that, but Hawaii, having no ground or water transportation, relies on the timeliness of flight in the same way the mainland relies on buses and trains.
Sunday, March 12 US flight delays.
- Alaska Airlines: 32%
- American Airlines: 32%
- Delta Airlines: 38%
- Hawaiian Airlines (not listed)
- Southwest Airlines: 40%
- United Airlines: 32%
We didn’t compare all of the other days listed with nationwide data. But, if you’d care to do that, you can visit FlightAware.
What can you do about Hawaii flight delays?
We highly recommend not tightly scheduling any connecting flights in Hawaii at this time. For our own travels, we plan on a minimum of three hours of connection time at all of Hawaii’s airports, even though the airline websites will offer you much shorter, but likely unworkable connections.
Are these delays due to the abnormal bad weather? Do you think summer flights will be on time better?
Hi Sandi.
It’s anyone’s guess. This has been going on far longer than the winter weather. So check your flight for a week in advance to get any sense of how it’s running.
Aloha.
Which will be done first? The Honolulu Rail Transit project or the runway?
I’m assuming “flight delays” means late taking off only.
If not, is there any way to separate flight delay taking off vs. flight delay arriving?
That may give us a more accurate picture of what’s going on.
Speaking of delays… need some advice on connecting flights.
I am arriving from LIH in HNL on SWA at 4:50 pm. I have to gather my bags from SWA and check in at AA for a 7:00 pm flight. Does that seem like enough time between flights to do that? (assuming no delays)
I’m not really sure where SWA baggage claim is and check in for AA is. Same terminal?
Thanks!
Hi Patrick.
We suggest checking the prior week’s arrival times for the SWA flight to get a sense of on-time performance variability. There isn’t any far distance – that will not be the issue.
Aloha.
Thanks! So the main issue would be the on time, not getting from SWA to AA.
and regard to have to get SWA bags and then taking them over to AA and check in. Not an issue there? Or would i be advised to maybe get in an hour or 2 earlier?
I will have access to the AA lounge so there is always that if I have to kill a few hours.
Hi Patrick.
Yes, the baggage claim and check-in could be problematic, and that’s as hard to predict as the flights being on time. Jeff’s flying on HA and changing to AS, and he is planning a 3-hour connection to avoid unnecessary stress.
Aloha.
Thanks! I’ve move to an earlier flight and now have a 4 hour cushion. Assuming I have some extra time, any suggestions as to what or where to go when wandering about the airport? There’s the AA lounge, Diamond Head views and the atrium gardens… anything else?
Hi Patrick.
Nothing to speak of. The food is still not very good due to the concessionaire at Hawaii’s airports. We really enjoy all of the gardens for hanging out during daylight hours or the lounges. Yes, that does feel safer, and now that you have the extra time, everything will probably go perfectly. Murphy’s law or something.
Aloha.
Well if all does go well then that will just be a bonus. No rushing or stress. Just a nice calm ending to a great 3 week stay.
Thanks for all your advice.
Hi Patrick.
We’re happy to help. Thanks for nearly 200 comments!
Aloha.
Maybe Hawaii Department of Transportation/Airports should hire the guys from Bar Rescue and Restaurant Impossible to get the runway fixed. They both seem to rebuild bars and restaurants done in record time.
Mokulele Airlines is the worst for canceling flights (and delays). This has been their business model for almost 2 years. They cancel flights regularly stranding people on the island of Molokai and other island locations for Days (not hours). They simply call you a short time in advance and say your flight is canceled. They offer to put you on another Days later. This used to be a decent airline until they were handed a Monopoly in 2020 (via an acquisition of Makana Kai Air and the discontinued service by Ohana/Hawaiian Airlines). Mokulele’s fares are outrageous $109 – $124 (one way). H E L P – Residents and Visitors from Molokai need an intervention of authority to stop this chaos — unreliable, over-priced air transportation.
Question, did they ever get the food court going in the New Honolulu terminal?
Great planning. Why Government shouldn’t run airports!
Airport Commission!
why are you not reporting on the international flights?
Working at SAN, I do know that HA15 was a part issue. I do not know exactly what part was needed but my friends at Hawaiian Air did their best to handle the situation. I get that everyone is frustrated with delays but those of us that work at Airports ask everyone to just try and relax and understand that No airline wants delays. They all do what they can to get you to your destination on-time but weather has been the biggest issue lately, and sometimes stuff just breaks…I’d rather have a 22 hour delay than my plane breaking over the Pacific. Mahalo for your patience and understanding for those of us that do our best to make your travels a safe a wonderful experience.
We flew home to Sacramento from Maui on Hawaiian Air on Friday, March 10. Although there was a delay (90 minutes), we were alerted very early, which allowed us a bit of extra time in our condo and a more leisurely drive from Lahaina to the airport. The counter check-in process was quick and easy. The TSA lines were short, and we got through quickly. Additionally, once we were in the air, they put the pedal to the metal and our flight time was reduced from a 4-1/2 hour flight to 4 hours. We never asked why there was a delay, as we just assumed it was the stormy weather in California causing the delay with the in-bound flight from Sacramento. We love flying Hawaiian Air—they do a great job.