We know that Hawaii air routes include a claim to some of the shortest-distance ones in the U.S., as well as one of the single most popular routes in the entire country.
So if you’ve ever wondered why Honolulu Airport is as busy and often congested and delayed as it is, a large part of the answer is found here. Without an island ferry or bridge system, the airlines are the only way to get around between the Hawaiian Islands (other than the NCL Pride of America cruise).
That is unlike some of the other routes below, where alternative transportation of some or multiple forms is available. For example, the popular Seattle to Portland corridor can be done by planes, trains, and automobiles.
There are, in total more than 300 domestic air routes that are less than 150 miles. We focused on the most popular and those that have at least ten daily frequencies. By the way, the single most popular route, the busiest in the US, is the one between Los Angeles and Las Vegas (or, as we say, because of its popularity here, Hawaii’s 9th island).
Honolulu to Maui is 2nd most popular domestic route.
The state of Alaska has the largest network of short flights in the country that provide the state a lifeline. Hawaii, on the other hand, is renowned for short and scenic flights that feature some of the highest numbers of daily ones. Those interisland overwater flights, especially the most popular route between Maui and Honolulu, are unique in their under one-half hour short duration and a high number of day-to-day operations.
Here in Hawaii and in some other places, we think of these flights as similar to a city bus system. It is widespread to see people commuting to work on morning and late afternoon flights.
Takeaways comparing the prices of Hawaii flights with others.
As we all know, competition drives down prices. And recent competition can tend to keep costs suppressed even more than long-standing ones.
In Hawaii’s case, between the major islands, there remains intense competition between bellwether Hawaiian and newcomer Southwest. While that started a few years ago, it is still relatively new, especially given the lull in travel that took place in 2020 and 2021.
Even if the interisland prices rise as much as we suggested is possible, which is multiple times what they are today, that will still make these routes among the most cost-effective compared with similar distance routes throughout the country.
One Hawaii route with competition and one without. How do they compare?
Contrasting two Hawaii routes, Honolulu-Kauai and Honolulu-Molokai reveals just how much competition plays a role in these prices. Whereas the former has a typical low price of just $0.39/mile, the latter comes in at the second highest cost per mile of all US routes of under 150 miles. Why? There is no competition on the Honolulu-Molokai route, which is operated exclusively by Mokulele Airlines.
Most frequent US flights of less than 150 miles in duration.
The air routes below are all under 150 miles, have at least ten daily flights, and are listed in order of most departures. Other Hawaii routes not listed exceed 150 miles.
Honolulu to Maui is 100 miles.
- 34 departures daily.
- The typical low price is $39.
- Current cost per mile: $0.39.
- Airlines: Hawaiian and Southwest.
Anchorage to Kenai is 62 miles.
- 22 departures daily.
- The typical low price is $104.
- Cost per mile: $1.68.
- Airlines: Ravn Alaska, Grant Aviation.
Portland to Seattle is 129 miles.
- 25 departures daily.
- The typical low price is $89.
- Cost per mile: $0.69.
- Airlines: Alaska, Delta.
Honolulu to Kauai is 102 miles.
- 24 departures daily.
- The typical low price is $39.
- Cost per mile: $0.38.
- Airlines: Hawaiian, Southwest.
Honolulu to Molokai is 55 miles.
- 14 departures daily.
- The typical low price is $113.
- Cost per mile: $2.05
- Airline: Mokulele.
Maui to Molokai is 46 miles.
- 12 departures daily.
- The typical low price is $88.
- Cost per mile: $1.91.
- Airline: Mokulele.
Maui to Kona is 84 miles.
- 10 departures daily.
- The typical low price is $39.
- Cost per mile: $0.46.
- Airlines: Hawaiian, Mokulele, Southwest.
Colorado Springs to Denver is 73 miles.
- 11 departures daily.
- The typical low price is $93.
- Cost per mile: $1.27
- Airlines: Southwest, United.
Chicago to Milwaukee is 67 miles.
- 11 departures daily.
- The typical low price is $179.
- Cost per mile: $2.67
- Airlines: American, United.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
You fail to include in your numbers that Mokulele serves the Honolulu to Maui route in addition to Hawaiian and Southwest.
I remember after 9/11 when Aloha Air, Island Air and Mahalo Air shut down leaving only Hawaiian Air flying interisland. They raised their rates by over 300%..taking advantage of the local consumer. I had to fly interisland to work and was so angry with HA that i vowed to always fly their competition regardless of pricing. They do Not have the local..or tourists best in mind.
This is a terrible grudge to hold for so many years
When I was 10 years old, I lived in Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii in 1965-67. It was a beautiful part of my life that will not be forgotten.
That’s a long commute! Get to the airport at least an hour early. Through TSA and boarding. Fly, out of airport on the other side. 3 hours each way?
I live in Seattle. Check your numbers,the distance between Seattle and Portland is about 180 miles.
The distance the crow fillies and driving distance are 2 different things. The distance between airports also may not the same as downtown to downtown.
“Fares” especially “low fares” are not “costs”, either to the consumer or the carrier.