When to buy tickets to Hawaii has gotten interesting once again, and it is largely about rapidly changing supply and demand combined with competition returning in 2021/2022.
The price of Hawaii flights has just gone up by as much as 60%.
In a word, Hawaii ticket prices just shot up significantly in parallel with renewed demand. Competitive factors have not taken full effect yet either, which will soon return to help mitigate further price increases.
During COVID, airlines scaled back most Hawaii flights as people stopped traveling, and Hawaii put into place strict quarantine regulations. For most of last year and through February 2021, you could buy flights to Hawaii for some of the lowest prices ever. $99 from the west coast wasn’t the exception; it became the norm.
Now, all that has changed. Since early March, demand, and prices have been on a steady rise. Supply, however, has also started ramping up as airlines see this golden opportunity to add flights and even additional wide-body service. With international travel still largely out of reach, Hawaii is looking exotic yet safe and highly desirable.
Rest assured that prices will moderate and sales will return.
The single most frequent travel question we get asked is when to buy in this unusual and fast-changing travel environment. Prices will again be held in check by competition, and that moderation will come sooner than later.
When to Buy Cheap Flights to Hawaii As Demand Soars | 2021-2022
Spring 2021 low season travel (now through June 10, 2021). Prices are largely dependent on the market and competition but are higher than normal this year as supply and demand still work to become stable. Expect to pay from $279 to $329 from many west coast gateways. Maui and Honolulu are generally the cheapest Hawaii destinations, with the Big Island and Kauai being slightly to somewhat higher. Tip: Fewer than normal sales are expected this spring. Buy now.
Summer 2021 high season travel (June 11 through August 8, 2021). Expect some pleasant surprises for this summer since more flights will be operating. It is generally best to buy tickets far in advance, especially for around July 4. Prices for peak summer travel are typically 50% or more higher than right before or after peak season. Travel starting early August will see softening in prices. Tip: LAX to Honolulu/Maui currently priced ~$400 RT on UA nonstop for some dates, while most gateways and other airlines are fast returning to the regular $700+ RT ranges. Buy now.
Fall 2020 low season travel (August 9 through December 8, 2021, except over Thanksgiving). Fall airfares will return to being competitively priced, and availability is always good at this time of year. That makes the fall season an optimal time to travel to Hawaii, which will be true again in 2021. Tip: Watch for sales to buy best-priced Hawaii airfares starting at $99 each way from select California gateways.
Christmas/New Year high season holiday travel (December 17, 2021, through January 3, 2022). No sales are expected – but there is some good news below. Keep in mind that you are going to pay a premium for Christmas this year and every year. Those who come to Hawaii during the holidays tend to purchase far in advance to avoid disappointment and get their prime picks. Remember that accommodations and cars are very challenging during the holidays, and, as with all flights, must be planned far in advance not to encounter availability problems. Tip: A few deals are still to be had, like LAX to HNL/OGG ~$400 RT on AA with one-stop, while most gateways other airlines have returned to the regular $700+ RT range. Buy now.
Winter 2021-2022 low season travel (January 4 through mid-March 2022). Outlook for next winter will be better than normal pricing since we will see the full effect of competition, including that from Southwest Hawaii flights. You can expect widespread winter 2021 to spring 2022 airfare sales without a doubt. Winter had been an expensive time of year to visit Hawaii. Tip: In the last few years, winter prices became more moderate, which should again be the case. Buy on sales starting mid-summer.
Spring break 2022 high season travel (mid-March to early April 2022). There could be some good surprises since there will be more flights operating next spring. However, in general, buy tickets as far in advance as possible due to a lack of deals and limited availability. Tip: Prices are typically 50% higher at that time than either right before or after spring break.
At Beat of Hawaii, we have our fishing net out to catch Hawaii vacation deals for you. Subscribe to our free updates to reel them in first. Stay tuned and then act quickly when sales are announced.
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Craig C says
Thank you for this insight – very helpful.
We’re looking at Dallas – Maui 2/5-2/12/22. The AA nonstop flights are $885/pp main cabin. Should we wait to purchase? Or go ahead and buy now?
Thank you!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Craig.
It looks as though that nonstop may come down by about $100 if you choose to wait. Better prices probably will surface this fall.
Aloha.
Tara S says
Thanks for the info! I was just wondering, we are flying out of Pittsburgh to Honolulu around 8/28/21. Should I bite the bullet and buy now or do you feel I should wait it out a little bit to see if the prices come down? Thanks for your help!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Tara.
Good connections on that route for your departure date are about $600, which is really excellent already. Might or might not improve from there. If you’re flexible and can fly mid-week, then consider waiting. Otherwise, not.
Aloha.
Dawn Y says
Thank you for the information. We are planning a trip to Hawaii Nov 3-13 and first class tickets are showing $5000-$7000 for the 2 of us. Do you think those prices will come down? Wondering if I should wait and watch.
Thank you for any thoughts you have
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Dawn.
Please provide your airport pairs and any other pertinent details so we can have a look and let you know.
Aloha.
Dawn Y says
We are able to fly out of San Antonio or Austin and would prefer our layover to be in Dallas (the research I’ve done shows this route has lie flat seats on American) thank you for the response!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Dawn.
To Honolulu (you didn’t state destination), check just now we found approx. $2500 to over $3000 round trip per person on American for your dates. That is to be expected and it is doubtful it will go down in price. BTW, the faster the connection to/from SAT the higher the price.
Aloha.
Danielle K says
We are flying from midwest, most likely Minneapolis to Maui next March 13-20, 2022. I found flights for $670, would you suggest purchasing now, or do you think flights will go down in price before then?
(Could fly out of Omaha or Kansas City also)
Lexi A says
Hello,
I am traveling to Big Island from PDX 8/9/21-8/20/2021. Prices are high and I’m not sure if I should buy now or wait it out?
Thank you
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Lexi.
It looks to be quite well sold. Especially the nonstop. This is to say that it isn’t likely for those dates to go down. Possible, but not likely.
Aloha.
Jessica S. says
Looking to go 11/18 or 11/19 and come back on 11/27. Prices are very high right now. This would be Leaving from atl and going to Maui or Honolulu. When do you suggest buying the tickets?
Jamie H says
Hi,
Looking at flying around March 16, 2022. Seeing 1500-1800 prices per person. Do you think that will improve or best to just buy now? Thank you!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jamie.
Without outbound and return dates and points of origin and destination, it is hard to say what you are looking at.
Aloha.
Jamie says
3/16 to 3/26 and MSP to OGG and back. Just curious if you expect much fluctuation in flight prices in the coming weeks or I’m guessing I am just going to be best to lock in now. Wasn’t sure if that was Spring Break prime or not…it is our Spring Break week. Thanks for the feedback!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jamie.
One-stop with a fast connection on American $1,036 RT for your dates. Looks like that will be prime spring break, so not sure prices will go down except at the very end if there’s availability. Price is fair. Delta has nonstop to HNL, but it will cost more and in the end, you’ll have a stop either way.
Aloha.
Jamie says
Thank you! Much appreciate the feedback. I figured that would be where we were going to be sitting.
Chelsea S says
Thank you for all this information. I am planning to Travel to Hawaii end of July to the beginning of August. The prices keep fluctuating and apps are predicting better prices. So I am torn between booking now or waiting until later. Do you think Should I book tickets now or wait?
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Chelsea.
Pricing is demand-based so no one knows for sure, including whatever apps are predicting that change. Our sense is that this year that period will not drop, but that starting after August 10, it will start to moderate down.
Aloha.