Los Angeles (LAX), Seattle (SEA), and Salt Lake City (SLC) are among the most common U.S. cities with direct flights to Honolulu (HNL), alongside Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Dallas (DFW), Denver (DEN), and Austin (AUS).
What city is cheapest to fly to Hawaii from?
Bellingham, WA offers the lowest average airfare to Hawaii, with roundtrip flights to Honolulu starting around $333.
Prices swing wildly depending on where you fly from, when you go, and which airline you pick. Smaller airports and budget carriers often beat major hubs by a country mile. Oakland (OAK) to Maui starts at $374, for instance, while Salt Lake City (SLC) to Lihue begins at $407. Set fare alerts on Google Flights to catch the best deals for your dates.
Which cities fly direct to Honolulu?
Major U.S. cities with direct flights to Honolulu include Los Angeles (LAX), Seattle (SEA), Salt Lake City (SLC), Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Dallas (DFW), Denver (DEN), Chicago (ORD), and Austin (AUS).
You’ll find these routes run by Hawaiian, Delta, American, United, and Southwest. Direct flights are the quickest and easiest, though they can get pricey during high season. Double-check current routes and carriers with FlightConnections.
What cities fly to Hawaii?
Hawaiian Airlines flies nonstop to Hawaii from New York City (JFK), Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), Sacramento (SMF), San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK), San Jose (SJC), Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego (SAN), Las Vegas (LAS), and Phoenix (PHX).
Other airlines like Delta, United, and American also serve Honolulu and other Hawaiian islands from plenty of mainland cities. Some routes need a connection, especially from smaller airports. Check airline route planners or Google Flights to see your options.
What is the most comfortable airline to fly to Hawaii?
Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines are frequently ranked highest for comfort on flights to Hawaii.
Hawaiian Airlines wows with lie-flat seats on select transpacific routes and top-notch service. Alaska Airlines (now part of the same fleet as Virgin America) offers modern Airbus A321neos with extra legroom and mood lighting. United’s Polaris business class on select Hawaii flights also gets high marks. Always check SeatGuru to see what you’re actually getting before you book.
Which is the best airline to fly to Hawaii?
Hawaiian Airlines is often considered the best airline to fly to Hawaii, offering daily service from more North American cities than any other carrier.
Hawaiian Airlines dominates with extensive inter-island service and strong mainland connections. Alaska Airlines isn’t far behind, especially if you’re flying from the West Coast, thanks to competitive pricing and reliable service. American and United bring big networks and solid connections, while Allegiant and WestJet serve niche markets with budget-friendly options. Compare schedules, baggage rules, and loyalty programs to find your best match.
Which month is cheapest to fly to Hawaii?
April through June and mid-August through mid-September are the cheapest months to fly to Hawaii due to lower demand.
Midwest and West Coast departures tend to cost several hundred dollars less than East Coast or Southern U.S. routes. Steer clear of peak seasons—December through March and June through August—when prices and crowds explode. Booking 6–8 weeks ahead usually nets the best fares. Track price trends with Kayak or Hipmunk.
What day of the week is cheapest to fly to Hawaii?
Wednesday is generally the cheapest day to buy a flight to Hawaii.
Midweek bookings often mean lower fares because business travelers, who usually book Mondays and Tuesdays, aren’t as active. Use fare prediction tools like Google Flights to spot day-by-day price swings and set up price alerts for your travel window.
What is the best month to vacation in Hawaii?
March through September is the best time to visit Hawaii for warm temperatures, low rainfall, and optimal beach conditions.
This window lines up with Hawaii’s dry season, especially on the leeward sides of the islands. May and September see fewer crowds than the summer peak. Still, ocean conditions change by island—check surf reports and water temps on NOAA’s buoy network before planning ocean activities.
What is the shortest flight to Hawaii?
The shortest nonstop flight to Hawaii is from Honolulu (HNL) to Kahului, Maui (OGG), at approximately 26 minutes.
Honolulu to Lihue (LIH) is just 35 minutes, while longer inter-island routes like Hilo to Kahului (OGG) take around 38 minutes. These quick hops are perfect for island hopping but come with tight baggage rules on some carriers. Always confirm flight duration and policies before you book.
What US airlines fly to Hawaii?
Major U.S. airlines flying to Hawaii include Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
| Airline | Hubs with direct routes to Hawaii | Typical aircraft |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Honolulu (HNL), Kahului (OGG), Kona (KOA), Lihue (LIH) | A330, A321neo |
| United Airlines | Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Denver (DEN) | 787 Dreamliner |
| Delta Air Lines | Los Angeles (LAX), Seattle (SEA), Atlanta (ATL) | A330, 767 |
| American Airlines | Los Angeles (LAX), Dallas (DFW), Chicago (ORD) | 787, 777 |
| Alaska Airlines | Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), San Jose (SJC) | A321neo |
| Southwest Airlines | Los Angeles (LAX), Oakland (OAK), San Jose (SJC) | 737-800 |
Does Southwest Airlines fly to Hawaii in 2021?
Yes, Southwest Airlines began nonstop service to Hawaii in 2021, with flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Honolulu (HNL) and Kahului (OGG) starting June 6, and to Kona (KOA) and Lihue (LIH) on June 27.
As of 2026, Southwest still flies these routes, offering budget-friendly fares and free checked bags. Check Southwest’s route map for updates—more cities might be added based on demand.
What is the most comfortable airline to fly?
JetBlue, Emirates, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Alaska Airlines are consistently ranked among the most comfortable airlines for long-haul travel.
JetBlue gets high marks for spacious cabins and free Wi-Fi on transcontinental routes. Emirates shines with lie-flat seats and premium service on international flights. Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines deliver above-average legroom and customer service on Hawaii routes. Seat comfort varies by aircraft, so verify configurations using SeatGuru before booking.
Is flying first class to Hawaii worth it?
Yes, flying first class to Hawaii is often worth it for the enhanced comfort, service, and amenities that elevate the start of your vacation.
Hawaiian Airlines First Class offers lie-flat seats on select wide-body aircraft, priority boarding, and complimentary meals and drinks. The relaxed atmosphere and better sleep can justify the added cost, especially on longer flights from the East Coast. Compare upgrade prices and assess your budget—sometimes paying for comfort up front saves stress later.
What side of the plane should I sit on in Hawaii?
For the best views flying to Hawaii, choose a seat on the right side of the plane when facing forward.
On approach to Honolulu, the right side offers unobstructed views of Oahu’s south shore, including Waikiki and Diamond Head. When leaving Hawaii, sit on the left side to see volcanic landscapes and ocean panoramas. Window seats maximize views, while aisle seats make it easier to move around. Preview your seat’s position and amenities on SeatGuru.
How many miles does it take to fly to Hawaii?
Flying from the contiguous U.S. or Canada to Hawaii typically requires 20,000 to 40,000 frequent flyer miles, depending on the program and season.
| Route | MileSAAver Off Peak | MileSAAver | AAnytime Level 1 |
| Contiguous 48 U.S. states to Hawaii | 20,000 | 25,000 | 40,000 |
| Canada to Hawaii | 20,000 | 25,000 | 40,000 |
| Alaska to Hawaii | 25,000 | 30,000 | 45,000 |
Award availability changes constantly by date and airline. Check American Airlines, Delta, and United for current redemption options and blackout dates.
Edited and fact-checked by the MeridianFacts editorial team.