Here’s a big prediction for fans of Hawaii Deals. Transpacific low cost is about to kick off and next year, in 2018, we will have the best Hawaii deals ever. It starts with new fleets (Hawaiian and Southwest) leading to a plethora of additional routes and competitive pressures. Many factors are coming together nicely.
We anticipate savings of perhaps 50% or even higher. And this could be long lasting. As a case in point, do you remember when Virgin America announced just four new routes to Hawaii? It caused those markets to go crazy with Hawaii deals not seen in years. And that was nothing compared with what is on tap for all of our markets next year.
Here’s what you can expect to see in the way of industry changes that will create more Hawaii deals.
Hawaiian Airlines is ready to start taking delivery of the first of their new A321neo narrow-body fleet this fall. Flights will be announced sooner than later. Many new nonstop flights from the west coast and beyond should begin early in 2018. Note that these new flights were to have started late this year but aircraft delivery delays resulted in postponement.
Many of these new flights will open mainland to neighbor island competition with existing carriers, including Alaska Airlines and United Airlines among others. New routes to Kona and Lihue may be the most noticeable differences, but there will also be more flights and new cities to Honolulu and Maui. Hilo isn’t out of the picture either and more flights to that underused Big Island airport are likely.
Hawaiian Airlines is Hawaii’s bellwether. You can be certain they aren’t going to let other carriers outperform them in critically important markets from North America. It is inevitable that with these new routes will come deeply discounted pricing that may continue for a long time.
Southwest Airlines Hawaii flights are poised for announcement at any point now and this too will come sooner than later. Flights may take a while (months) to start and routes could be limited initially. But start they will and with them we will enjoy significant airfare sales. These flights will utilize Southwest’s new 737 MAX fleet.
Beat of Hawaii: The Southwest Airlines behemoth will shake the Hawaii deals market in a way that no one else can or has for as far back as we can remember.
United Airlines Retrenchment on Hawaii
This week United Airlines put the industry on notice and said in essence, “Hawaii is ours – we aren’t going anywhere.” United announced new routes and increases in service that will bring them to a total of 40 daily flights to Hawaii. They will again have the greatest seat capacity to the islands of any airline from North America as they celebrate 70 years of service to Hawaii.
There will be discounting on many if not most of these year-round routes as we approach their commencement in December. That strategic timing was intended to keep prices inflated at the outset due to the end-of-year holidays. While that may work in the short term, it won’t hold for long once December’s high season vacation weeks are over.
Delta Airlines Hawaii from Pacific Northwest
Delta Airlines Hawaii presence overall has remained relatively small but consistent. However, competition with ex-partner Alaska Airlines between the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii is just beginning, and we expect to see more Hawaii flights from them.
Alaska Airlines/Virgin America
Alaska and their newly acquired Virgin America have made huge inroads into Hawaii since they started flying here nearly going on a decade ago. Since then they’ve become a much larger and stronger player which currently enjoys 20% of their global revenue from its flights to Hawaii. Alaska stands to be the most impacted by Southwest Airlines Hawaii flights. That in part because they currently operate similar fleets which are largely limited to west coast operations, and share desired Hawaii end points including San Diego and Oakland.
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So excited for this news as we are planning to fly with our extended family to Maui in the late spring of 2019. I would assume by then the kinks will be worked out of the scheduling system and competitive rates will be well underway. Do you agree?
Tentatively planning trip to the big island the week of October 7-14. I know the 14th is the iron man in kona. What will It be like getting to the airport to fly home from
KOA. When is the best time to buy airplane tickets.
I am traveling from San Fran, Oakland or San Jose and am wondering when the BEST time to get a deal to Kona or Hilo is? Seems like there aren’t many deals for the Big Island.
Thanks
Hi Brigit.
True enough – not good prices at all. Certainly wait for fall sales starting during summer. Right now looking like $600 which is nearly $200 more than flying to Maui.
Aloha.
Will more flights result in higher demand and prices for lodging and car rentals?
When I started flying to Hawaii on HA at the end of 2010 there fares were so reasonable so I flew quite often on HA but in recent years their prices have gone up and stayed up and I really enjoy HA so hopefully now there prices come down and I won’t have to switch to another airlines flying out of the Northwest but if not I’m overdue for a trip to Hawaii since my last trip was Pro Bowl
I am looking forward to lower fares and expanded service (neighbor islands).
Do you foresee increased competition in services ie meals and checked luggage?
Southwest 2 piece free checked luggage and Hawaiians meal service should give them some advantage unless other players match this service.
Could competition in services postpone fare decreases?
Can’t wait for more competition! Trying to find a deal for flight from RDU(Raleigh), to Oahu. NO DEALS OUT there. I can remember great late summer deals just a few years ago!!!
Flying from Boston (Logan) to Lihue middle of January (midweek). Hopefully only one stop on the west coast or Phoenix. Returning April 10th or 11th. Also mid week with only one stop.
Any suggestions on airline or route? My wife is not well so I am hoping to not have a layover of several hours.
thanks for your help! the weather in New England is finally starting to be spring like. Bob
Hi Bob.
Mid $800’s right now on United or American with very good connection.
Aloha.
We are traveling to Maui in May 2018. When would you suggest purchasing our airfare to get good deals?
Thanks so much!
Hi Kim.
Fall or after. https://beatofhawaii.com/the-cheapest-time-to-fly-to-hawaii/.
Aloha.
Hello,
Exciting news!
Looking to travel end of January to mid February from MSP to LIH.
Maybe I should hold off a little on booking flights? Traveling from midwest. Ideally I would like to use points, but if I can find great price, I would be thrilled. I could use points to get to west coast possibly.
Thanks so much for your insight and knowledge. Really enjoy reading.
Hi Jill.
Just not sure we’ll see anything for your route and time frame. So don’t want to get your hopes up. New routes will start sometime after first of year; we don’t know exactly when and won’t for several months.
Aloha.
Thank you for this exciting news! We are planning a trip to Hawaii next March from Cincinnati. I am keeping a watch on airfares? Any idea on how long to wait with all these new flights becoming available?
Thank you!!!
Hi Tammy.
We should start to see some news in the fall. Stay tuned.
Aloha.