Flying to Hawaii

[doubravsky]

Since there are quite a few IPS folks that have places or jobs or reasons to fly between the Big Island and SoCal, How do you all book your flights?

Do you use points cards or programs? Do you use particular web sites like Hotwire or SideStep? Go through a particular airline? Do you book spearately the mainland flight and the inter-island, or together?

We picked up the Citibank points card, thinking we should start using the points and the "companion travel free" piece... but found that we could buy two tickets through ATA online to Honolulu cheaper than the Citibank one ticket/ one free ticket price. Oh well, at least the points part will help.

So, I'd love to hear your process, what airlines you like, what makes it the most affordable?

Also, what times of year. or days of the week tend to be cheaper or most expensive?  

Thanks for any info... I wanna find the best way (ie.. spend the least amount of $$ each time we go!)

That way I can save more $$ to buy palms from Bo!

[bgl]

Dave,

For some reason I feel compelled to post here, even though I certainly don't have all the answers...!

I don't fly much between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland anymore (maybe once a year). Once you're in paradise, what's the point in leaving!?

Anyway - knowing a little bit about how the airlines operate, it's probably a good idea to check around each and every time. One airline may have a better deal today, and another airline may have a better deal tomorrow. That being said, ATA Airlines is usually inexpensive. They have a nonstop flight Oakland-Hilo. I know you're not close to Oakland, but they also have a codesharing agreement with Southwest Airlines, so someone on the mainland can make a reservation on Southwest to Oakland, and then continue on ATA to Hilo (or orher Hawaii destinations). And one way or another, you do have to change planes if you're travelling from SoCal to Hilo.

Aloha Airlines also has good rates at times, and they fly nonstop out of Orange County to Honolulu and Kona (as well Maui I believe). They also fly out of Oakland to those destinations. I think Hawaiian also usually have good rates, but then you generally have to connect through Honolulu.

Off-peak is usually Sep/Oct/Nov and early Dec as well as April and May, and rates may be somewhat lower then, or it may be easier to get a good deal since the airlines are going to be a little bit more eager for cash. And generally, weekend is more expensive than mid-week.

Hope this helps a little bit!

Aloha!

Bo-Göran

[jdapalms]

Dave,

It just so happens that Cindy and I are flying to Hawaii on Sunday. We have flew back and forth on Aloha airlnes now for about 4-5 years. This has given us there alii silver status      which has a few benifits

1. There private lounge at the airports.

2. Pre-board on all flights. We do upgrade to first class on occasion. Highly recomended but at $300. per person. They will not let you use air miles for upgrades .

For us Aloha Airlines is the most practical way to fly to Hawaii. From Orange county- John Wayne airport which is 30 minutes from San Clemente where we live to Honolulu-Hilo or a direct Kona flight. We have done it both ways.

Aloha Airlnes is also very competitive with there pricing. Oh yea! you also get a warm chocolate chip cookie with milk towards the end of the flight.

[bgl]

And Dave, when you get here, bring a BIG machete!! I pass by your property just about every day and the path that Ed cleared some time ago is getting PRETTY overgrown. Another 5-6 months and you'll hardly knew it ever existed!

[doubravsky]

Bo and Jerry,

Thanks for the info! I've been looking at all the airlines trying to figure the best way to go. That helps.

Bo... I was already thinking about where to pick up a machete when I got there! I had a feeling it wouldn't look quite the same! Can't wait to see it.

Jerry, hoping you guys might be out there when we get there.. love to see your place and nursery!    

Dave

[Darold Petty]

Hello Dave;  I don't know if ATA airline flies from SoCal.  However,  I got a ticket round-trip from Oakland to Hilo non-stop for $349 including all taxes!  I believe one must book this fare on their website, and it is not always available.

[Dave-Vero]

The Airfare Watchdog website tracks ATA among others.

[bgl]

The ATA flight from Oakland to Hilo is the ONLY nonstop flight between Hilo and the U.S. mainland. Since Dave is in SoCal, may not be but so convenient for him. One way or another, he'll have to change planes somewhere (unless he decides to drive to Oakland... )

[doubravsky]

Thanks for the tip! I did end up going through ATA... but from LAx to Honolulu and then Aloha Airlines to Hilo... $478. I wanted to do Southwest to Oakland and then out to Hilo, but couldn't find a match for the rates through Honolulu. I joined the ATA flyer miles program.. should have realized that I have to sign up the wife too....  

But hey... come July 23rd... I'll be in HAWAII BABY!!!!!!!

[PalmGuyWC]

Hey Bo.....your the expert and I'm sure will have the answers. I've heard that the longest stretch of ocean to be flown over, any place on earth, no places to land, is between San Francisco and Hawaii. (I would think Seattle and Vancouver would be close contenders).  Also New Zealand Airlines was the first to fly the Pacific to the USA, nonstop, with a  two engine jet...the Boeing 767, not exactly with FAA approval.

Also, I'm sure you have heard, LAX is east of Reno NV, and if you went straight south from Detroit, the first country you would fly over would be......Canada!

Also, no two or four engine jet has ever had to ditch over any ocean because of engine failure, except some foreign carrier once ran out of fuel on the way to Europe, because of a fuel leak or something,  and dead sticked it, or gulided to the Azores and made a successful landing. I'm sure there were a lot of seat covers to be cleaned.

Now two engine jet travel is common place anywhere on earth because the engines are so reliable, and one will get you back to earth just about as safely as two. Trivia? I guess.

Dick

[bgl]

Dick,

Ahhh...aviation trivia - I love it!  But in keeping with our guidelines, I think I'll start a new thread. Thanks for the idea!

Bo-Göran

[jenks]

I am heading to Kauai for the first week of Dec. We use our AMEX points to purchase airfare and rental cars. Flying out of LAX. Next year we will fly out of John Wayne in OC.

[waykoolplantz]

cheapest ??  you could learn to flap your arms really fast