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Cheap Flights to Hawaii: Best Deals & When to Book

How to find cheap flights to Hawaii. Compare prices from every major US city, discover the best booking times, and save up to 35%.

January 5, 20268 min read
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Looking for cheap flights to Hawaii? Prices are currently 30% above their 5-year average. Here's how to find the best deals from every major US city.

Hawaii Flight Prices at a Glance

$433 Cheapest Route
+30% vs 5-Year Avg
Sep-Nov Cheapest Season

Current Prices: Every Route to Hawaii

Here are current prices from major US cities to Hawaii, compared to historical averages:

From To Price vs Average Rating
New York Honolulu $635 +30% high
Honolulu New York $674 +36% high
Los Angeles Honolulu $487 +38% high
Honolulu Los Angeles $433 +19% high
San Francisco Honolulu $436 +28% high
Honolulu San Francisco $439 +27% high
Chicago Honolulu $570 +35% high
Honolulu Chicago $548 +27% high

Cheapest Time to Fly to Hawaii

Season Months Price Level Crowds
Best Value Sep-Nov 15-20% below avg Low
Good Value Jan-Mar (excl. spring break) 5-10% below avg Medium
Average Apr-May At average Medium
Peak Pricing Jun-Aug, Dec 20-40% above avg High

How to Find Cheap Flights to Hawaii

  1. Fly from the West Coast. LAX, SFO, SEA, and SAN have the cheapest Hawaii flights. East Coast travelers should consider a positioning flight.
  2. Book 2-3 months ahead. This is the sweet spot for Hawaii. Too early or too late means higher prices.
  3. Fly Tuesday or Wednesday. Midweek flights are 15-25% cheaper than weekend departures.
  4. Consider Maui over Honolulu. Flights to OGG (Maui) are sometimes cheaper than HNL (Honolulu).
  5. Check Southwest. They don't show on Google Flights but often have the best Hawaii deals.
  6. Set price alerts. Track your route and book when prices drop.

Best Airlines for Hawaii Flights

  • Southwest: Often cheapest, 2 free checked bags, no change fees
  • Hawaiian Airlines: Best in-flight experience, direct routes from more cities
  • Alaska Airlines: Great for West Coast departures, good mileage program
  • United/American/Delta: Most route options, but typically pricier

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the cheapest month to fly to Hawaii?

September through mid-November offers the lowest prices. You'll find fares 15-20% below average, plus fewer crowds and still-great weather. Avoid Thanksgiving week.

How much does a flight to Hawaii cost?

From the West Coast: $250-450 round trip. From the Midwest: $400-600. From the East Coast: $500-800. Prices vary significantly by season and how far ahead you book.

Is it cheaper to fly into Honolulu or Maui?

Honolulu (HNL) typically has more competition and lower prices, but Maui (OGG) can be cheaper on certain airlines. Always compare both before booking.

When should I book Hawaii flights for summer?

Book by February or March for summer travel. Waiting until May or June means paying peak prices. Summer is the most expensive time to fly to Hawaii.

Current Recommendation

With prices 30% above historical averages, we recommend setting price alerts and waiting for a drop if you have flexibility. Consider traveling in September-November when prices are typically lowest.

Data Source

Prices are based on Bureau of Transportation Statistics fare data covering major US airports to Hawaii. We compare current prices to 5-year quarterly averages to identify genuine deals.

Tags

Hawaii flightscheap flightsHawaii vacationisland travel

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