Why are flights to Hawaii so expensive right now?

Airfare to Hawaii fluctuates throughout the year, largely as a function of supply and demand. If you visit during peak periods, airfare costs more. During the low seasons, you can often find better deals. And, if you can travel midweek during any time of the year, you'll likely be able to save money.



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Airlines are slashing flight prices to Hawaii for 2023 and beyond, just as the government in Maui is asking for the return of travelers in the wake of the devastating fires on part of the island. So feel confident booking one of these Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deals.

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April thru June and mid-August thru mid-September are Hawaii's low seasons, and airfares are lower then. No matter what time of year you travel, you may be able to score better deals if you travel midweek.

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Time your booking right “For domestic flights, if you're talking peak season, it's about three to seven months in advance,” he says. “For international flights — [it's] four to 10 months.”

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Timing plays an important part. Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date. Instead, flights tend to be the most inexpensive when you book between four months and three weeks before your departure date.

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Consider a late summer vacation to Hawaii to save money Even though summer vacations to Hawaii are quite popular, we do see prices to the Aloha state come down the later you can visit in the summer months. August is less expensive than June or July, and September is less expensive than August.

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In fall, the best time to buy is about 2 months out. In the winter, you'll need to start shopping a lot earlier – about 4 months from your travel dates to score a deal. And in busy, busy summer, you only need about 3 weeks in advance to (on average) find the best airfares.

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While Hawaii is a great destination year-round, the best opportunity for good weather exists during April, May, September, and October. As the tradewinds pick up over the winter months, so do the showers, and surf swells, particularly on the north/northeast (windward) shores of each island.

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Cheapest airport to fly into Hawaii. The cheapest flights to Hawaii generally land in Honolulu at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii's capital, or at Kahului Airport (OGG), on Maui.

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Now, with travel restrictions easing across the world and higher operating costs to deal with (like higher jet fuel prices), airlines are salivating to serve travel-deprived consumers — and for a major profit. As a result, ticket prices are near all-time highs at the moment.

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One of the main reasons why flights to Hawaii are so cheap is the high level of airline competition on these routes. Many carriers fly to Hawaii, including major airlines such as United, American, Delta, and Hawaiian Airlines, as well as low-cost carriers like Southwest and JetBlue.

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With two days of travel, it is great to have 8 or more full days to explore the island you're staying on. If you are looking to hike, snorkel, or camp, we recommend taking even 14 days for your vacation.

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United Airlines With the most nonstop flights offered, United serves more passengers to Hawaii than any other airline. And its rewards don't stop upon arrival to the Hawaiian Islands.

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Above: Visitors flock to Hawaii's warm, sunny beaches year round. Although Hawaii's rainy season is November through March, showers can fall anytime, mostly on the windward (northeastern) side of the Islands.

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Using data from The Hawaii Tourism Authority and Kayak.com, the cheapest island to visit is Oahu. Airfare, hotel, and rental car for two people for a week costs $2,625 on Oahu. The most expensive Hawaiian island to visit is Maui, where the same average costs for a week are $3,600.

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Your vacation to Hawaii is getting more expensive. Visitors are spending more on hotels, food, transportation and recreation expenses now than they did pre-pandemic, due to an increase in demand and supply issues.

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Expedia's report also notes travelers can look forward to a 3 percent decrease in booking airfare in 2024, compared to the higher prices of 2022.

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The general rule is that for domestic flights, travelers should start searching for flight tickets one to three months in advance. For international flights, the best prices are typically available from two to eight months in advance. Prices can also vary widely among airlines.

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