We are getting the feeling that Hawaiian Airlines may be having second thoughts about just how well the state is going to reintroduce tourism when it begins reopening without mandatory quarantine starting October 15. The dates on which Hawaiian is bringing back flights keep getting pushed out further, as they begin to more accurately assess demand.
Even more interesting perhaps, is that we are awaiting news on what the mayors and the governor have in mind regarding interisland travel. If the quarantine is not lifted in some way for those flights (with testing), it will essentially preclude travel to those neighbor islands. Mayors have expressed a desire to have on-island testing for interisland travel, but word is that the capacity does not exist for that to happen. Please stand by as we await confirmed updates on this important development.
Hawaiian plans to restart flights between Honolulu and Las Vegas starting October 1 (that is not a typo), and between Honolulu and Oakland, Phoenix and San Jose airports effective November 1, rather than as previously indicated would take place on October 15.
Mainland flights to neighbor island flights are being pruned too.
Note that there are no mainland flights currently set to be on schedule either to Kauai or Kona for both October and November. In addition, flights to and from Long Beach, New York and Boston remain suspended. This is reflects a change in prior plans.
By November 18, Hawaiian plans to fly once again to 10 West Coast cities. Those flights will include Los Angeles to Maui, Oakland to Maui, Portland to Maui, Seattle to Maui, San Jose to Maui and Sacramento to Maui. At the same time (mid-November), Hawaiian will increase flights on existing services between Honolulu and Los Angeles, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle.
We’re encouraged by the positive response to the state’s decision to welcome travelers back to Hawai‘i, and we are resuming service to key markets to give our guests more options to visit our islands. While our onboard experience may look a little different these days, we’re excited to share our signature Hawaiian hospitality with our guests and encourage everyone to travel pono (responsibly) to keep each other and our communities safe.” — Brent Overbeek, senior vice president of revenue management and network planning at Hawaiian Airlines.
Two options for COVID tests. Hawaiian’s guests departing from LAX and SFO will have access to convenient drive-through paid COVID-19 tests. The other option is for free COVID tests.
Free COVID Tests.
Hawaiian Airlines guests (and those of Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines) will now be offered free COVID tests for traveling to Hawaii from Oakland. Oakland Airport announced yesterday it would free, rapid-result COVID-19 tests to the public. This is a great move to win back some Hawaii traffic that has moved across the bay to SFO.
Our take on this is that it is just the beginning. We are about to see much more free testing offered.
“The expansion of the airport testing program reflects our commitment to the health and well-being of both airport employees and OAK travelers.” — Port of Oakland Director of Aviation Bryant L. Francis.
The press release said that “Port of Oakland invite(s) those planning travel to the Hawaiian Islands under the program to use the planned in-terminal testing facility, if needed, in order to meet the State of Hawaii requirement. Day of departure testing will also be available for those not able to do so in advance. CityHealth and Oakland International Airport will offer pre-travel testing to Hawaii travelers at no out-of-pocket cost making it unique from other programs charging as much as $250 per person.
Specific details about the October 15 Hawaii Pre-Travel testing program at OAK are set to be released later.
The types of tests offered include FDA EUA rapid testing as well as lab-based nuclear PCR testing. Which of those will be accepted by the State of Hawaii will hopefully be made clear soon
Complete flight schedule.
Hawaiian Airlines mainland flight schedule updates as of September 30, 2020
Beat of Hawaii © photo on Maui.
Aloha, is there a prepaid r/t to saigon without departure and arrival dates?
Why doesn’t Hawaiian Airlines offer free covid testing for interisland travel? Instead I paid 150$ from a tested partner,only to have to quarantine on return to Kauai because I was 12 hours before the 72 hour window,and negative. This is not right.
Has there been any confirmation with regards to inner island travel that originates from the main land. For example, would a traveler who has an acceptable 72 hour negative test who has a flight on October 16th from LAX to Oahu to Kona (all the same day and same itinerary) automatically constitute a 14 day quarantine in Kona because of the last inner island Oahu/Kona leg? Thank you!
Hi CG.
That isn’t clear quite yet.
Aloha.
Thank You we will stand by. I assume you’ll report on this when it’s available. By the way your organization seems to have very good information AND in a timely fashion. Have you considered running for office…:)
Hi CG.
Thanks for that. Lol!
Aloha.
will there be free testing from Hawaiian Airlines out of Las Vegas?
Aloha, Oahu is the hot bed. Really sad that no direct flights to the neighbor islands, to avoid exposure. Mahalo for all you do
Hi Casey.
There should be more news on direct neighbor island flights coming up this week we believe.
Aloha.
We are flying from Denver to Hawaii nov 24 is this allowed?
Great news, Guys! I’ve been holding my December reservation for a few months now. Hope to see Alaska Airlines offering “complimentary” COVID tests for San Diego non-stop into Kona. Also, keeping my fingers crossed for a saliva test. The last thing I need right now is a bamboo skewer with a layer of cotton up my nose! HA!
Thanks again for keeping us informed!
Hi Cheri.
Thanks. Jeff went through that test – and it wasn’t horrible, just not great. LOL.
Aloha.
This is the straw that broke the camels back for us. We have been cancelled and rebooked multiple times. Finally there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Quarantine lifted effective 10/15. Testing options lined up for us. House booking made. Rental car reserved. All set for 11/20-11/29 visit. But now in yet another baffling move to upset and keep tourists away Hawaiian airlines cancels all flights from the east coast because they don’t see it as profitable? So we are allowed into the state, have a beautiful rental, can get tested but can’t get to Hawaii? Amazing. Unless we pay over $2000 to get to California and convince Hawaiian airlines to replace our Boston flights with flights from California? Going to be tough to rebuild travelers confidence in Hawaii. It clearly is not a matter of just flipping a switch. What a mess.
And to make matters worse, we were contacted today by a rental company that previously cancelled our rental for November and said it is available now for the same dates we previously booked but at $600 more a night. That is not a typo. $600 more a NIGHT for a reservation we already made that they cancelled. I have contacted vrbo and will warn whomever I can about Kema Kama Resort Properties. Avoid them at all costs unless you want to be gouged and experience fraudulent rental practices like we have.
Mahalo. Here’s to hoping better times for all in 2021.
Hi Kyle.
Yes, wishing for a better 2021.
Aloha.
Hi Kyle,
I suggest you also report this as a complaint to the Better Business Bureau and have them explain to you why this is happening to you. This is due to a pandemic ( book, cancel, rebook, cancel, rebook…..and
can be very frustrating have a moving target for dates….but if there is any price gouging it should reported asap.
Forget going to Hawaii. There are other places that treat tourists better. Go to the Philippines, Australia , New Zealand or Florida. Why Hawaii they hate tourists there. They are lazy & just waiting for bail out which will not come. The Governor & mayors think it’s their private island it’s not it’s part of the USA. Give them a lesson boycott Hawaii.
Is there really free testing when you fly on Hawaiian Airlines,I had booked Hawaiian Airlines,LGB to OGG for nov 14 th last week and they cancelled all flight from LGB, in fact ( Beat of Hawaii ) told me before the airline did, would think they would compensate since deleting my flight, Tim……..
Good Information for Hawaiian Airlines, What about Free Testing in Seattle for those of Us that will be Flying Delta in December?
Mahalo, Deb P.
Hi Deb.
This will be evolving and the price dropping.
Aloha.
Thank you for all your updates. It really helps to have your reporting on the status of flights for Hawaii. With the constant changes, it’s very difficult to keep up. Mahalo nui loa for all you do!!
Hi Suzanne.
Thanks for that!
Aloha
May I respectfully suggest that ALL State and County officials who have failed to launch a plan by October 15th their pay revoked (without reimbursement) every day after October 15th! Problem solved! I hope my fellow voters will react appropriately at the polls in November! Those making bad decisions (or no decisions) with pay have been acting to the complete detriment of those who are losing their businesses and livelihoods! This is a disgrace the way this has been handled!
Hopefully there will be enough Aloha to get this resolved by the 15th, but I am not holding my breath! I was on a flight the other night to LAX and the gate agent and 7 of the 8 flight attendants were employed for the last day at Hawaiian Airlines! It is awful what has happened to these folks and their families!
Too bad the “Aloha Spirit” is not shared by your Governor or Mayor’s. I thought they got rid of the Monarchy long ago. It seems as though they’d rather kill your entire economy and control its people. How will the Hawaiian people survive without any activity from tourists, other than government. Where is the $ coming from to support your State? Too bad Covid is going to take a few people, but Government cannot wave a magic wand and miraculously make it go away. How many of you reading this can afford to make your house payments and pay your bills and pay your taxes with no jobs? No tax money and no help from State because of it. Its one or the other, but not both.Too bad for those “subjects” that are considered Nonessential. Better find a better line of work, whatever that may be or get a Governor that cares about a vibrant economy before he kills even more from drugs, alcohol, depression or suicide than Covid-19.
Rich
Hopefully, PDX will follow in Oakland Airports footsteps and come up with a plan as well. Supposed to fly to Maui in January via Alaska Airlines. Fingers crossed!
Julie, Walgreens in Cornelius is doing travel testing as well as a local urgent care called afcurgentcareportland.com. I travel to the islands next month and will be looking at either of these.
Aloha Kristy,
I’m flying to Kauai next week on Hawaiian but they moved my SJC flight to SFO. I am going before the testing starts so I’m knowingly going to quarantine for 14 days. It’s a pain to drive to SFO but not that much of an extra drive. Good luck🌺
Thank you Beat of Hawaii for your frequent and informative updates. A friend and I had to reschedule our July trip to Kona to Nov 1. We were excited about news of the Oct 15 opening, but the information coming from authorities was confusing. Without your clear, concise reporting we’d be even more confused that we are! 😉 Our flights from Seattle have been cancelled and changed. We expect more changes before we depart Nov 1. Concern seems to be the return flights…we might get stranded in Hawaii! (Anyone have an extra bed?) We are also a bit concerned about the COVID-19 testing and getting the right test, at the right time and what to expect when (if) we arrive. Keeping our fingers crossed. Keep up the good work. Mahalo.
Hi Lesley.
Thanks. We’ll be updating this multiple times, as the state releases the much needed new information and clarification.
Aloha.
I’m not sure what this means for Kauai? Any ideas? I have a 2 week trip planned staying 12/28.😰
How do I get to Kauai to check on my property? I normally fly on Alaska Airlines from San Jose to Lihue on a direct flight. Thanks.
Hi Kristi.
We’ll update you with more flight information from the other airlines soon.
Aloha.
Thanks for your timely updates, as usual. You mentioned the $250 Co-Vid testing by other carriers. I am not sure if United is using the Abbott Labs test which is only $5, but kind of disgusting that they would try to charge so much when they would in turn be hurting their own revenue streams by pushing fliers to other carriers that don’t charge so much.
Hi Jon.
The cost of these is dropping by the day it seems. Let’s see where this ends up.
Aloha.
The risk to tourists catching covid 19 from the residents of Hawaii is at least as great as the tourist spreading it to the residents. So it seems like a completely unfair requirement to test travelers to Hawaii. And any talk of double testing seems even more outrageous. I’m beginning to believe that Hawaiians seem to think they are no longer part of the USA. They want all the benefits of bailouts and loans from the federal government but at the same time feel free to blatantly discriminate against mainlanders. This is totally unacceptable.
The people that aren’t getting tested before landing here should be escorted to a covid-19 Quarantine facility in Waikiki. No if, ands, or buts about it. You know that if they are coming for 7 days they are not going to quarantine. Too much risk involved for us locals.
Thanks for your comment but..Wow…just Wow…
Hawaii’s ICU capacity is currently at 70%. If we go to 100%, there is no place to go. Unlike the Mainland, we don’t have a neighboring State we can send you to. We currently are experiencing a Nursing shortage.
I’m sorry you find it unacceptable that we are trying to keep this virus at bay. You may find a different Hawai’i when you visit. Residents are more concerned about the health and safety of their friends and family than they are about whether or not tourists are spending $$ and enjoying themselves.
Please respect us and we will respect you…
A Hotel Worker out of a job but still healthy and safe😷
Mahalo Jen B!
Your comment was spot on and I wish people would understand just how fragile Hawaii is because there aren’t close neighboring states to offer ICU beds and hospital relief. Stay strong!
Love and Aloha! Nani
Notice that it is the city of Oakland, CA that is doing more to facilitate air travel to Hawaii than the entire state of Hawaii is doing???
That should give you some indication of what a completely, hopelessly failed state Hawaii is.
The governor and the mayors of all four of the main islands should simply resign and allow others that are more competent and more motivated to fill their sad, tiny shoes.
We have found out first hand about the schedule changes. We had tickets to Maui on Hawaiian for October 15th. They were cancelled. Then we had tickets on United to Oahu with a connecting flight on Hawaiian to Maui. That was cancelled because Hawaiian was no longer scheduling that flight. We really need to get to Maui to arrange new protocol for opening our two vacation rentals. The latest plan is that we will fly to LA one day on Southwest and fly to Maui the next day on United. We hope this works. Thank you for always giving up to the minute reports!!
Hi Linda.
Sorry to hear about that. It is definitely in a state of flux at least for now. Thanks.
Aloha.
Planning a flight on SW from SMF to OGG Nov 10th. Really hoping something positive happens with Covid testing at SMF. We live three hours away and testing in our location takes 4-7+ days to get results back.
Amazing. In a bad way. Have Boston to Honolulu flights Nov 19th. Have testing options we are working on confirming. Why would Hawaiian suspend that route when the opening is Oct 15th? Just booked our house rental this past weekend. Now we will have the fun of working thru refunds and/or rebooking on both fronts. May be time to just give up on Hawaii. We are zero for three now. Not sure if there is any chance Hawaiian changes their mind and keeps those mid November flights?
Mahalo for the updates once again.
Hi Kyle.
The reason, we believe, that Hawaiian is suspending that route, is that they don’t believe there is adequate traffic in relation to the cost of operations, for now. We are doubtful that will change before December, at the earliest.
Aloha.
Any news on Free Covid testing for those flying out of San Diego via Alaska Airlines in November?
Did you hear that Kauai’s mayor is requesting the governor allow for required Covid testing on landing too. Also, requiring 3 day quarantine before the test will be given. How can there be any tourist recovery with these requirements?
Thanks, as always, for all the updates!
I just called Hawaiian Airlines to cancel our October 29 flight from Seattle to Maui. They agreed to give us a refund because the flight schedule was changed by more than two hours, with a layover in Honolulu. We’ll fly to Maui once everything has been figured out and we feel it is sage to travel.
Mahalo!
Hi Lanell.
Thanks for your many comments. Sorry to see you having to deal with this again.
Aloha.
OMG! Oakland airport comes thru with a plan…Rapid testing for FREE managed by the airport. What a novel idea!
Now if they can do it, why can’t Honolulu do it? For that matter, why can’t ALL of the island airports do it? Maybe the various airport managers should take a trip to Oakland to find out how!
And will the test be accepted? Why not, it is the same as the quick test being offered by the airlines.
About time!
Wow, only 3 flights a week from Seattle to Maui??
On an A321neo, too! I guess they don’t feel demand will come back quivkky.
What happens when a traveler shows up with a covid vaccine?
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