Updated 1/30/16. Reduced summer prices with up to $150 savings off normal are still available from the bay area.
If you thought that Hawaii deals from the San Francisco Bay area couldn’t get any hotter, think again. The entrance of Hawaii newcomer Virgin America has stirred up the marketplace. As a result, we are seeing prices from San Francisco and its neighbors that we haven’t seen in years. This has changed our predictions for pricing, even at peak times including spring break and summer 2016, so read on.
Bay Area Competition is Hot!
Most airlines serving Hawaii are taking part in this competition. Even United Airlines and American Airlines (via Alaska Airlines code share) recently threw in their hats, indicating that they aren’t willing to let the others dominate the California to Hawaii market. Delta is the only carrier not participating.
Routes: San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose to Maui or Honolulu.
Airlines: Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin America from San Francisco. Also Alaska Airlines from Oakland and San Jose. Lastly American Airlines via code share on Alaska Airlines flights.
Prices: Starting at $318 RT including all taxes and fees.
Flights in the near term are generally less costly than if you book further out. The carriers are leap frogging the other which makes this a little hard to keep track of.
If you can fly this week, there are $318 fares from SFO, Oakland or San Jose to Maui. Fly the same route next week and mostly pay $348. And for the following week $378. Oakland is an exception, however, and has $318 fares through early March on select days. Honolulu is running on average $40 more than Maui. Kauai and Kona aren’t participating as of yet.
Spring Break
Typically expensive spring break Hawaii airfares are now reduced $200 to $300 in these markets. The only exceptions are a couple of weekend days. You can fly for as little as $398 RT from mid-March to early April which is a welcome relief from the $700 spring break airfares we usually see.
Summer Vacations
Fares are running $100 to $300 less than traditional pricing from mid-June to mid-August. Currently some dates are priced as low as from the mid-$300’s to $500’s. These might even go lower the way things are looking. Here’s one example:
This is a very fluid and fast changing situation where prices are going up and down frequently. We’ll do our best to keep you apprised of significant developments.
Beat of Hawaii Suggestions
- Off peak, avoid purchasing Hawaii flights from the Bay Area until relatively last minute, on price weaknesses, or when these rounds of competitive sales occurs.
- Regarding spring break and mid-summer, some further sales are possible for these prime periods. Try to purchase when prices are about $100+ below our pricing guidelines.
Got any questions?
Let us know in the comments below.
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How far ahead can you book airfare to Hawaii? We would like to go summer of 2017.
Hi Susan,
For mid-June through at least end of July we suggest booking 330 days in advance.
Aloha.
Hi! missed the virgin deal a couple weeks ago. Looking to fly mid-June to mid-july this summer from lax to maui or any island – are the prices I see the cheapest or should I wait for another deal? thank you!
Hi Laurel,
Conventional wisdom is to buy now. But LA is a big unknown at the moment with the shakeup in competition. Suggest waiting a bit to see if something doesn’t improve.
Aloha.
I am hoping to take a trip from BOI to KOA at the end of May. You’ve said that’s a good time to travel. Will there be some good deals still coming out soon for those dates? Should I wait to book?
Thanks!
Hi Linda,
Yes wait for spring deals. Potential savings of $150 or more. Not sure when they’ll be out so have patience.
Aloha.
My family and I will be traveling from either OAK or SFO to HNL from July 3-10. Virgin America has a nonstop flight from SFO to HNL for $632 roundtrip. Are prices going to get any better than this? Thanks in advance!
Hi Michelle,
Tough call. Might or might not improve. That is a good price for those peak season dates in any event.
Aloha.
My family is Headed from SoCal ( we can take LAX or SNA or San Diego airports) to LIH june 12-19. Prices are $800 right now. Should i wait?
Hi Patrick,
Yes $800, or save $75 by returning day later. Probably no point in waiting.
Aloha.
Your website posts that Virgin Air is flying as low at $318 fro SFO to Maui but I only see flights for $550.00. Am I missing something?
Hi Meg.
That was posted over 3 days ago at which point it was valid. As we say repeatedly on the website, the deals we share last anywhere from a few hours to few days. If you subscribe to our free email updates we’ll let you know about future deals.
Aloha.
We are traveling from Minneapolis to Maui June 16th – 26th. Fares have not really changed from the $900s since we’ve been planning our vacation. Wondering if we should book now or if there’s a chance they might go down a bit. There are 4 of us. Thanks!
Hi Sara,
Yes $959 for your dates, or if you can return home the next day you’ll save about $100. Doubtful these will improve and it might be best to buy sooner rather than later.
Aloha.
Will be traveling from Louisiana in July. Would you suggest quoting flight prices from Baton Rouge or New Orleans vs say Vegas or San Diego? I was thinking mah e the cheaper route would be to split the flights depending on the prices of both legs of the trip. Thoughts? There will be 5 of us flying, so I need to cut back where I can. 🙂
Thanks! Keela
Hi Keela,
Will you be actually staying at the intermediary point? If not then you’ll likely be dealing with checking bags multiple times and having to go through security multiple times. Also if the first flight is delayed then what?
That’s coming in at about $1,000 from MSY or up to $200 more from BTR. To Honolulu or Maui. Mid to late August appears to be first chance for improvement.
Aloha.
We are in Chicago and want to come to Maui in mid April….What do you suggest? I am finding $800 or more RT. Ouch
Hi Peggy,
The nonstop is always expensive With stops, prices are all over the place, largely depending on good or bad the connection is. From $623 to $1100. While it is possible, we aren’t sure if it will improve. Suggest waiting to see as availability won’t be a problem.
Aloha.
Do you have a suggestion for flight to Kauai from Vancouver, BC at the end of September 2016? The Canadian dollar is so weak next to the US dollar, I think flying out of BC will likely be better than finding flights out of Bellingham, Washington. What are your thoughts?
Hi Deborah,
Too early to buy. Wait until this summer. WestJet has quite good prices, but they don’t extend out that far yet.
Aloha.
I’ve been tracking flights from the Bay Area to Kauai in early May (dates somewhat flexible), and the cheapest options have been pretty steadily hovering around $470 for several months now. Any thoughts on whether we’ll see some deals to Kauai as well? Thank you!
Hi Hannah.
Kauai isn’t really looking good for the time being. Not sure when that may change, but probably not in your time frame. $470 isn’t bad and it doesn’t look like it can improve much if it does at all. Bird in hand rule might apply.
Aloha.
I wanna fly out of anywhere in the Bay Area. From San Francisco or San Jose to Oahu. June 31-July4th or July 1st-5th. Do you recommend I buy the tickets now?
Hi David,
Probably the most expensive week of summer – just FYI. June 30 to July 4 is $571 from Oakland on Alaska.
Aloha.
OAK to HNL, July 18 – July 27. Should I wait some more before I buy airfare?
Hi Paul,
$598. Might be best to take it and run. That’s already $100 less than expected. It might come down further if you wait but there’s no guarantee.
Aloha.
Bay Area (SFO, SJC or OAK) to LIH on June 26th to July 6th. RT is around $650 or so right now. Should we wait? If so, when do you anticipate will be a good time to purchase? Thanks!
Hi Jill,
While an unconventional approach, it appears you may do a bit better by waiting. It might or might not work, but that’s the feeling we have. Potential savings is $100+. If you’re flexible for weekday travel so much better the chance.
Aloha.
When do you think SF Bay Area to Kona will begin to go on sale? We have booked hotel res for April 21-26.
Thank you,
Elaine
Hi Elaine,
$446 on Hawaiian for those dates. Good price – wouldn’t wait.
Aloha.
Thanks very much for the advice. Will do so.
Mahalo Elaine
Have a great trip!
Is there ever a better time to buy First Class tickets? Since there is such a limited number of seats, I am hesitant to wait too long for our May/June 2016 trip to Maui. Thanks! Lynn
Flying from LAX. Wish we were seeing the deals like Northern California cities!
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
It looks like you’re flying from LA. Right now it’s about $1200+ for your time frame and it looks like there’s potential to save up to $200 if you wait a bit.
Aloha.
We are traveling from SMF to HNL, staying for a few days then onto MKK. Straight back to SMF from MKK. We are looking to go May 19-29. Flights on Hawaiian still $755. This is up $100 from a few weeks ago. Do you still anticipate this to drop in the upcoming weeks? OAK is running cheaper but then we have to drive there and get a hotel. Mahalo!
Hi Erin,
Taking the MKK part out of it, fares to HNL may still come down about $75 or so if you wait. Currently $546.
Aloha.
My family is planning on spending Thanksgiving week 11/20 – 11/27 on the Big Island (flying from San Francisco). Fares seem pretty good right now. Should we book now or wait and see if fares go lower?
Hi Lorie,
For your exact dates, nonstop is nearly $1200! Or in the $900’s with stops. If you can vary your dates a bit and even the bay area airport you can save a lot. For example, 11/22-11/30 on Hawaiian Airlines from Oakland is $488 with a 2 hour layover in HNL.
Aloha.
Hello,
My fiance and I are getting married early June. Civil ceremony as we are saving for the honeymoon. Our travel dates would be after June 10th, however, RT for both of us I have found for 1200-1300. Is this pretty average at what were looking at spending? If so I would like to book before prices increase but if they usually drop when should I look for a drop in prices? I usually check google flights is there a better site? First big trip away and trying to do it on our own to save some money vs a travel agent.
Thanks!
M
Hi Mary,
While you didn’t say, your IP address indicates Los Angeles as your origination city. Until Virgin America announces LA flights (unknown when that will occur), don’t expect dramatic discounts like we see with San Francisco bay area.
Mid-June to mid-August is running in the $700’s and then it drops some. That’s as normal. Later in the summer airfares will come down if you can wait. But mid-summer is less certain. You can use Google flight search or the airlines websites you are considering flying.
Aloha.