This Cheapest Time to Fly to Hawaii features our six-article guide, just updated as of August 2018. Read our new tips on Hawaii vacation deals, the best and worst dates to travel in 2018 and 2019, when to buy, and what prices to expect during all seasons, including holidays.
This, our most popular post ever, has been read millions of times and has nearly 5 thousand comments and over 61,000 Facebook Likes. You’ll find questions and answers helpful to finding Hawaii vacation deals! Then add your comments and questions.
We are all anxiously awaiting news from Southwest Airlines and it could come as early as next Tuesday. Read all the details on the announcement of Southwest Hawaii flights.
Cheapest Time to Fly to Hawaii – What to Expect in 2018/2019.
Earlier this year we saw Hawaii flights on both United and Alaska for just $99 each way. It doesn’t get any better than that! These could return again so be sure to subscribe to our free email updates and be first to get Hawaii deals.
The remaining first half of 2018 will largely be about increased competition from existing airlines. More new flights to Honolulu, Maui, Kona and Lihue will be announced as Hawaiian Airlines continues to take delivery of additional single-aisle Airbus A321neo planes, and Alaska receives Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. These new extended range jets are the upcoming workhorses for most west coast (and beyond) flights to Hawaii. Plus United and Delta continue to remind us all that they are here to stay in Hawaii.
The second half of 2018 is going to be about getting ready for Southwest Airlines flights to Hawaii. SWA is gearing up rapidly and there may be flight announcements at any time. There’s a very good chance that flights will be announced next week! And, by early 2019 and probably sooner, we’ll have Southwest flying to Hawaii from California.
Great News for Value Hawaii vacations!
Flights to Hawaii remain at inflation adjusted low prices and this is only going to get better – probably a lot better. That’s good news for 2018/2019 Hawaii vacations. Recent and upcoming competition and strong discounting on many routes result in cheaper than expected flights to Hawaii.
The two largest Hawaii air markets – Southern California and Northern California, continue to see improving sale pricing as some shake up in competition is occurring. These will only improve throughout 2018/2019. Since California flights to Hawaii will be highly impacted by Southwest, they should have the best airfares going forward.
Seattle and Portland have had increased competition including Delta inaugurating nonstop flights from Seattle to Lihue last year. Expect more flights to Hawaii on Delta as they compete head on with Alaska Airlines from the Pacific Northwest. Seattle has benefited most to date with excellent prices on both Delta and United. This is also having a positive effect on the price of flights to Hawaii from Portland.
San Diego and Sacramento saw favorable improvements in prices on flights to Hawaii and there may be new flights from those cities this year. These cities will have flights from Southwest!
Start your Hawaii vacation planning now with our helpful guides below.
Six Articles To Help You Find Hawaii Deals
Cheapest Cities for Hawaii Flights
Cheap Flights to Hawaii | When to Buy Year Round
Best Time to Visit for Hawaii Deals in 2018/2019
Flights to Hawaii – Updated Costs by Region 2018/2019
Best Airlines for Flights to Hawaii Updated
Questions and Comments.
We continue to update the information contained here very frequently.
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We look forward to your comments and questions. We try our best to respond to most comments individually and timely. If you read the comments, we have already answered many of the most asked questions. And if you would like to respond to others’ comments and questions, we encourage that too.
E komo mai (Welcome). Mahalo and A Hui Hou!
Tom S says
My family is flying from Seattle to Honolulu in late June 2019. Right now nonstop flights are $650 at the cheapest. Should I buy now or wait for a sale and hope that prices drop below $500? Thanks
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Tom.
Best thoughts on this might be to wait. Seattle has had good airfares even in summer the past couple of years. No reason to think that will not continue. Target airfare is low to mid $500’s for non weekend travel in peak summer.
Aloha.
Janet M says
Planning 1st trip to Hawaii, have a cruise booked first week of 5/19. Flying from PIT, have been waiting for SWA to announce service from one of the four cities previously indicated to HNL for months.
SWAs new flight schedule is supposed to drop 9/27, which would cover my dates to one of those four gateway cities. No idea which one to pick other than by $ factor. Would need to book a hotel overnight to grab flight to HNL the next day. Not sure if one would be easier than the others in that regard.
Who knows if service to HNL will be finally offered, seems to be dragging. Note to self to make sure HNL flies out of all the announced gateway cities JIK!
SWA prices tend to be lower the first day for previous flights i’ve Booked to the west coast (LAX, SNA & BUR). If i see what is a good rate would like to jump on it. If it drops can use credit before it expires on another trip but that’s pushing into 4th of July annual trip for me, when fares bump quickly. Can’t sit on it too long.
I am on the fence whether to book the first flight leg I need on the SWA release date; even if HNL schedule is not announced. Plan was to overnight in whatever city both ways to break up the long flight from PIT. Some of those gateway cities will have connections, yuck.
Was thinking of booking whatever eventual flight to HNL on last the last Sunday, Monday or Tuesday of April, hoping those dates would be less expensive, should be missing spring break time frame.
Not sure what path would be best, with $ being the bottom line and a preference for SWA in general:
A) sit pat & book nothing, wait it out
B) book SWA to one of the four cities and wait for HNL service, or
C) just book what is usually a less expensive fight to LAS or LAX on SWA. Although LAS doesn’t seem to get much LUV haha. Then, resign myself to booking to HNL on Hawaiian when i see a decent deal (whatever that is ? $500 RT pp) Additionally, any guesses when i’d See deals to HNL for end of April, early May for 2019?
New territory never visited Hawaii, feel like i’m missing something importanthere. Need all the expert help i can get!
rosemarie w says
Will we ever see any specials from Las Vegas to HNL… We never get anything I’m looking to fly Nov. 8th -13th.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Rosemarie.
That market is definitely a bummer in terms of price. Looks like $500 to $590 RT. Doubtful of it improving right now, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see some Southwest effect on that route sometime soon.
Aloha.
Gary H. says
Hi, we’re taking a trip to Honolulu in March 2019. We would be flying from Raleigh. How soon should we book? There are no good deals now, most fares are $700-800 as of now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thank You!!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Gary.
By mid-March it is spring break so no deals. Prices in the mid $500’s until then start to head up by as much as $300 RT. If you’re traveling in spring break probably best to buy now. For travel completed in first half of month, while mid-$500’s is very good, it could even improve a bit if you wait.
Aloha.
Dee says
Aloha,
Flying from the Baltimore to Hilo in late February 2019.
Is it best to buy 1 ticket now or wait until around mid-late November of 2018 to book?
Also, what cities or connections would be best for the route, flying with United.
Mahalo, Dee
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Dee.
Fares for February should drop by $150 or more round trip if you wait. Can’t say when that will occur or if it is a certainty. But target price is just under $600 RT. Suggest waiting, especially for mid-week travel.
Aloha.
Marie says
Hi,
We are planning to go to Honolulu from Los Angeles for 6 person on first week of July of 2019. When is the best time to buy the tickets.
Thanks.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Marie.
Hard to say right now due to SWA coming on board by then. You can try waiting, but it could backfire. Generally (were it not for new airline entering mix) best to buy those as close to 11 months in advance as possible.
Target price with new competition is about $500 RT. We’ll see what happens.
Aloha.
Laura says
Hi, Looking to fly from Sacramento to Maui 4/19-4/27…flights now are around $600…when do you think would be the best time to buy considering Southwest should come on board soon? 6 weeks out? Or is that too little lead time??
Thanks!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Laura.
It would be best to wait. Yes SWA should be flying here then. That is off-season and you are fine to wait pretty much as long as necessary. Target price is in the $300’s RT.
Aloha.
John G. says
Going to be making a trip to Oahu in September of 2019. Looking at the end of the month and will even consider early October. We are leaving from Atlanta. Plans are for a 7 day stay. First Class is most likely the option for us, for a couple reasons. We were lucky enough to get a nonstop, (ATL-HNL), for $1800 in the past, but I haven’t seen rates like that recently. What kind of rates are you seeing booking as early as allowed for FC or Delta One? Also, since we are somewhat open on our dates, is there anything already set for those dates that we should see or avoid? Any advice would be great. Thanks
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi John.
It looks likely to be $1800-$2200 depending on airline in first class. Tickets will be available 330 days in advance. September is a great time for every reason and no dates to avoid.
Aloha.
Elayne C. says
I am planning to take my granddaughter to Oahu for he 18th birthday and graduation in December…the 11th to 20th. What do you think will be the ;lowest prices I could anticipate and about when? Thank you so much.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Elayne.
You didn’t say where you are traveling from but your IP address says Tampa, FL. Price is low to mid-$800’s on multiple airlines with fast connections. Suggest buying at that price now since you’re return is at cusp on holidays.
Aloha.
Christina S says
Christina S
Planning a surprise, for my retiring policeman husband, in early November. From Phoenix to Oahu to see as many Hawaii Five-O sights as possible! Fares dropped significantly from yesterday to today. Will they continue to drop? Should I go ahead and purchase now? Advise please, I’ve never done a surprise this big before!
Thanks!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Christina.
$537 RT nonstop as of today. Okay price, not great. Could go up and down between now and then. It’s old bird in hand dilemma. Hard to suggest which direction to go but if you want a gut call, it would be to wait with target in mid $400’s.
Aloha.
Mary t says
Hi looking to go back to Hawaii next September from London or Glasgow. Could you tell me when is best to book flights as I am booking flights and accommodation seperate. Have always booked with travel agent.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Mary.
Right now would be a good time to start looking.
Aloha.
Mike says
I travel from Boston to Maui every year. You usually only talk about west coast airfare. Do you have any information about how the upcoming airfare wars will effect travel from the east coast?
Thanks
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Mike.
How Southwest may impact fares from beyond the west coast was updated in today’s post: https://beatofhawaii.com/flight-to-hawaii-cost/. We will know more soon.
Aloha.
Kim says
Planning our fist trip and no kids. My hubby want to see
The north shore and Pearl Harbor. So I’m guessing Oahu it is! I REALLY want to swim and see a waterfall. We’re open to
Come whenever and I’m so confused on which hotel !!! Any advise? Are there waterfalls? Best time to see North Shore waves? Thanks!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Kim.
Best to get the Oahu Revealed guidebook online, paperback or at library. The bible of Hawaii travel. Don’t stress too much. It is kind of hard to go wrong.
Aloha.
Katherine says
Sorry for so many questions!
We are going to Oahu in January and considering visiting Maui as well. We need to go to Oahu to visit friends. In January, what is the best area of Oahu to stay in for nature, beaches, and good weather? I have read that the north shore is not swimable during this time due to large waves, but we do not want to stay in Honolulu/Waikiki
If nature and good weather are a priority, is it worth the trip to Maui at the added cost?
Thank you for your help once again!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Katherine.
To answer your Oahu questions, do yourself a favor and get the Oahu Revealed guidebook. You won’t be sorry.
Weather probably won’t be better on Maui than on Oahu. You’re coming in winter so good weather is possible, but so is some rainy weather. To be expected and no one can predict that.
Aloha.
Katherine says
Hello!
Love the website!
I plan to travel to Hawaii January 2019, dates are flexible, from the Baltimore/Washington DC area. Planning on flying into HNL and out of OGG. Currently, round trip flights are $611.00 +luggage. Is this a good deal or do you advise to wait?
Additionally, I know winter is rainy season over there. Is there a certain area of Maui that shouldn’t experience as much rain? Good weather is important to us.
Thank you! I appreciate your help!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Katherine.
Thank you! That is a very good price for east coast. If times, and stops/duration are to your liking, wouldn’t wait. Don’t wait on booking inter-island flight as best times book up or become expensive fast.
Yes January is winter here as it is there. Hard to predict weather, but if this helps, January is called the Snowbird season. It’s when people from more northerly climates come to enjoy the warmth of Hawaii. The Kihei/Wailea/Kaanapali side of Maui have dryer weather. You’ll even see cactus growing. But if there is a winter storm, it can impact any area to be honest. Chances are you’ll be fine. So come and enjoy!
Aloha.
karen p says
I am so happy to have found this website as you have already helped me enormously!
My family of 6 will be traveling from STL to HNL end of May/early June 2019 to make our blended family official!!
I am looking at both direct flights from STL to HNL and at all the options from STL to the east coast (California, Oregon, Washington) and from there to HNL.
Do you think the addition of Southwest flight will affect the pricing of direct Midwest to Hawaii flights or just those departing from California?
Thank you in advance for your consideration!
Karen
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Karen.
Thank you! Yes it certainly seems that the new SWA flights will impact on pricing from beyond their California gateways. Your best buying opportunity is probably going to start closer to year end.
Aloha.
Erin says
Our family of 5 needs flight to Oahu for Dec. 20-31. Our closest major airport is New Orleans. I’ve looked every major airport that we can fly out of by piecing the trip together on our own. I’ve priced LAX to HNL on any of those airlines with us probably using Southwest to get to LAX. The current lowest price for LAX to HNL is $782 on Hawaiian. How long should I wait to purchase this airfare? I was hoping Southwest would be operating by then, but just don’t know if it’s going to happen.